معرفی
Dr. Kathy Ellem is a Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Discipline for Social Work and Counselling at The University of Queensland's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. With extensive experience as a social worker in both government and non-government sectors, she specializes in working with children, young people, and families in disability and child protection services.
Her research focuses on several key areas:
- People with cognitive disability in the criminal justice system
- Young people with complex support needs and transitions from statutory care
- Inclusive research methodologies with people with impaired cognitive capacity
- Families of people with disability, including person-centered planning and NDIS implementation
Dr. Ellem's recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on transition experiences of young people with cognitive disabilities, particularly those who self-place in out-of-home care settings, and the intersection of disability with criminal justice involvement. Her work often employs participatory and narrative approaches, reflecting her commitment to inclusive research practices.
She currently supervises multiple PhD students working on projects related to disability, social justice, and child protection systems, and leads the Honours research course for the Bachelor of Social Work (Hons). Her current research is supported by ARC Linkage Projects focused on empowering family advocacy in child protection and enhancing outcomes for young people in out-of-home care.
