The award-winning and highly talented research and clinical leadership team, led by Director Professor Leah Bromfield and Deputy Directors, Professor Melissa O’Donnell and Ms Amanda Paton, have pioneered new approaches with some of the most vulnerable children, families and communities in Australia.

Leadership Team

 Professor Leah Bromfield
Director and Chair of Child Protection
Professor Melissa O’Donnell
Deputy Director, Research
Amanda Paton
Deputy Director, Practice
Lisa McDonald
Centre Manager
Amy Cleland
Aboriginal Strategy and Engagement Lead

Research Staff

Dr Sarah Cox
Research Fellow (currently on maternity leave)
Dr Olivia Octoman
Research Fellow (currently on Maternity Leave)
Dr Miriam McLean
Research Fellow
Dr Eden Thain
Research Fellow
Danielle Perfect
Research Assistant
Ebony Tucker
Research Assistant
Fernando Lima
Research Assistant
Gina Horch
Research Assistant
Renée Usher
Research Assistant

Practice and Teaching Staff

Amber Alexander
Lecturer and Research Assistant
Emma Cole-Henley
Sessional Teaching Academic
Holly Pearce
Research Assistant
Phoebe Edgeworth
Lecturer (currently on maternity leave)
Dr Sarah Shihata
Research Assistant

Professional Staff 

Justine Clark
Project Officer Communications
Jenny Macpherson
Administrative Officer
Ann Lilley
Administration Officer
Liz Palmer
Administrative Officer
Victoria Matthews
Administrative Officer

Members

Associate Professor Lesley-Anne Ey
Senior Lecturer, UniSA Education Futures
Dr Jacynta Krakouer
Enterprise Fellow
Dr Michelle Fernando
Research Degree Coordinator

Ambassador

Aunt Sue.jpgThe Centre is honoured to have Aunt Sue Blacklock OAM, respected Elder of the Nucoorilma people from Tingha, part of the Gamilaraay nation, as our inaugural Ambassador for Children. Aunt Sue is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal children and young people and is concerned about the number of Aboriginal young people in out-of-home care, outside of community.

"It's a privilege and an honour to be an Ambassador for the children, my main aim is to make sure kids are safe and that they have a voice and that they are heard."