معرفی
Sarah Morris serves as a Research Fellow within the Department of Social Work at Monash University, focusing on vulnerable populations in child welfare systems. Her work addresses critical transitions for children and young people in out-of-home care (OHC), with growing emphasis on aged care integration for older care leavers. She actively contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to reduced inequalities and sustainable communities through policy-relevant research.
Morris's research spans educational experiences of students in OHC, housing transitions for care leavers, and systemic barriers in welfare systems. She employs qualitative methodologies including narrative reviews and Delphi studies, prioritizing lived experience consultant involvement in research design. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges social work, education policy, gerontology, and housing studies to address systemic gaps in child protection frameworks.
Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals an evolving research trajectory from immediate post-care transitions to lifespan perspectives, particularly examining how older care leavers navigate aged care systems. This work demonstrates increasing methodological sophistication through participatory approaches and policy impact, with publications appearing in high-impact social work and education journals.
Scientific Awards:
- SPAHC Research Festival Best research theme poster (2024) - Recognizing collaborative work on care leavers' experiences with Mendes, Baidawi, and Turnbull
Morris maintains active research supervision through her role as Research Fellow, though specific student advisees are not documented in available sources. Her work has attracted significant policy attention with one output referenced in government policy sources and multiple media engagements.
She operates within Monash University's child and family welfare research network, collaborating extensively with Professor Paul Mendes and Associate Professor Susan Baidawi. Her projects frequently involve partnerships with the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and demonstrate strong community engagement through lived experience consultant frameworks.
