Smith, Joanie
PhD candidate
Supervisors
Prof Cathy Humphreys, Dr Marion Frere, Dr Chris Laming
Area of research
Exploring Formal and Informal Consequences with participants of Men's Behaviour Change Programs and the Impact on Men's Accountability.
This PhD seeks to hear men, women and workers' experience of men's accountability for violence against women. It is part of the SAFER project: Safety and Accountability in Families: Evidence and Research (ARC Linkage project "Family Violence Reform: Using knowledge to develop and integrate policy and practice").
A supported questionnaire for participants of Men's Behaviour Change programs and their (ex) partners with longitudinal case tracking of men in MBCP, their (ex) partners and workers, will be augmented by quantitative data from the SAFER project.
Motivation
My practice background is in social work, and I am passionate about working to alleviate men's violence against women. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to undertake my PhD in this area with the benefit of an APAI at the University of Melbourne.
I have been involved in teaching at a tertiary level for the last ten years, and ongoing study and research has been a significant part of my career. I love learning and see this as a lifelong process.
Goals and achievements
My research aims to enhance our knowledge of how men, workers and women understand consequences and accountability
The relevance of this research lies in its capacity to develop a better understanding of the impact of formal and informal interventions on men's accountability for their violence towards women
The importance for the social work field lies in developing the most effective interventions within the integrated family violence service system with men who use violence against women and children, to reduce their violent behaviour.
Why Melbourne?
The University of Melbourne is a prestigious university with a very strong reputation in teaching and research. It is a privilege to undertake my PhD at one of the premier universities in the country.
Other information
I have an associate diploma in social welfare studies, a bachelor degree in history/politics, a masters degree in social work and a postgraduate degree in secondary teaching.
I have had extensive experience in the social welfare field, working with street kids in youth housing and refuges, and have taught in tertiary education in social and community development for the last 10 years.