Disability
This area of research is concerned with strategies that address the impact of intellectual or functional impairment.
Researchers in the School of Social Work are pursuing a strong and focused research agenda on the policy and practices of achieving social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Led by Professor Christine Bigby the Intellectual Disability Research group has gained significant competitive research funding through competitive ARC grants as well as from Trusts and Government. We have strong partnerships with non government disability service providers and international researchers. We have led the way in Australia in collaborative research with people with intellectual disability. The group has several PhD students in receipt of scholarships from Industry partners and convenes an annual Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy.
Potential PhD topics
The Department will consider any research topic that interests potential PhD students; however, students will benefit from researching in areas that align with the Faculty’s research strengths. Please find a relevant supervisor to discuss your PhD topic.
Alternatively you may contact one of our academics below to discuss your area of interest.
- Dr Jane Pierson
- Dr Linsey Howie
- Dr Ellie Fossey
- Dr Amaryll Perlesz
- Professor Greg Murphy
- Professor Richard Wassersug
- Developmental disability - Professor Teresa Iacono
- disability - Professor Meg Morris
- Disability Policy, Deinstitutionalisation - Professor Christine Bigby
- Impactof voice functioning on vocational and social participation - Dr Jennifer Oates
- Inclusion and social participation - Dr Patsie Frawley
- Increasing participation in physical activity, exercise and sport among people with disability - Dr Nora Shields
- Intellectual Disability, Oral History, Life Stories - Dr David Henderson
- Intellectual disability; living with disability - Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins
- Outcomes, active support, qualitative methodology - Dr Tim Clement
- Social Linkage, Self-Concept and Well-being - Dr Jacinta Douglas
