Being an Academic Activist: Creating a better world through research

Abstract

Professor Cathy Humphreys will discuss the topic of "Being an Academic Activist: Creating a better world through research". Cathy, who was taught by Professor Chamberlain, will focus on her academic and research work in the domestic and family violence area, her projects and the strategies to maintain a focus on social justice. The focus on children living with domestic and family violence and the research undertaken to shine a light in this contentious area will provide an example of an aspect of this research.
The concept of the academic activist will be raised as a challenge and discussed as an area for further development.

Bio

Cathy Humphreys is Professor of Social Work at University of Melbourne. She specialises in applied research. Five projects in the past 7 years have worked with the Safe & Together Institute using practice-led, action research through facilitated multi-stakeholder workshops and Communities of Practice. This research highlights the impact on, and importance of attending to children in the context of domestic violence. She has a keen interest in understanding the issues of diversity, attention to place, and the role of lived experience to inform research.

Professor Humphreys is a well published author of more than 160 journal articles. Of the more than 60 research projects she has undertaken since 2006, 20 have been Category 1 ARC, NHMRC and ANROWS research council grants. She worked at the University of Warwick for 12 years leading a domestic violence and child abuse research centre before returning to Australia in 2006. For 15 years she worked as a social worker.

About the UQ Chamberlain Oration for Social Justice

Established thanks to the generosity of the estate of Professor Edna Chamberlain, the annual Chamberlain Oration for Social Justice aims to celebrate the impact research has in creating a more equitable society. Professor Chamberlain began her career at UQ in 1967 and became the first woman to hold a Chair in Social Work in Australia. Hosted by UQ School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, the Oration celebrates Professor Chamberlain commitment to social justice and creating a fairer society.

Further Information

The UQ Social Work and Human Services (SWAHS) Alumni group will hold their AGM immediately prior to the Chamberlain Public Lecture. All alumni are invited to attend and you can register via the registration link.

The Chamberlain Public Lecture is designed primarily to be an in-person event, but if you are unable to attend in person but wish to find out more, please contact habs.advancement@uq.edu.au.