Margaret Spencer

Dr. Margaret Spencer is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. She holds roles including Director of Social Work Field Education and is affiliated with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre. With over 30 years of professional experience, her work focuses on disability rights, child protection, and inclusive social work practices.

Education:

• Doctorate in Social Work (University of Sydney, 2007)
• MSc Nursing, Theology Degree, and Social Work Qualification

Research Interests:

• Disability and parenting, particularly for parents with intellectual disabilities
• Adult guardianship and elder abuse prevention
• Inclusive social work pedagogy and international field education

Key Projects:

• NDIS implementation gaps for disabled mothers
• Intercountry adoption studies in Taiwan-Australia contexts
• Disability rights advocacy in child protection systems

Grants and Collaborations:

• Lead researcher on SE Asia Centre grants
• Co-investigator in Taiwanese-Australian adoption studies
• DFAT-funded field trips to Indonesia

Professional Roles:

• Judicial officer in NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s Guardianship Division
• Executive member of IASSIDD Parenting Special Interest Group