Kate Neale

Dr. Kate Neale is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University, affiliated with the Centre for Children and Young People. Her research focuses on childhood studies, disability studies, and the therapeutic benefits of green spaces. She specializes in ethical methodologies involving children, people with disabilities, and vulnerable communities in horticultural programs to promote well-being and social inclusion.

Dr. Neale holds a BBus, LLB, and PhD from Southern Cross University. Her doctoral work examined children’s understanding of ethical consumption, and she has extensive experience in collaborative research with marginalized groups. Between 2016–2019, she worked on an ARC Linkage Project investigating support relationships between young people with cognitive disabilities and their paid carers, co-facilitating a youth advisory group to inform research practices.

Her recent work emphasizes the sociological impact of therapeutic horticulture, exploring how such programs foster community belonging and improve social status. She advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing therapeutic horticulture as a discipline, authoring programs and professional development workshops in this field. Her publications span disability policy analysis, support worker dynamics, and pandemic-era gardening trends.

Dr. Neale prioritizes meaningful participation of underrepresented voices in research, aligning with her broader commitment to accessible methodologies and knowledge translation.