Dr Nicola Ross
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Law and Justice
- Email:nicola.ross@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 5871
Career Summary
Biography
Highlights
Including children, parents and families in decisions
Hon. Associate Professor Nicola Ross is one of a few legal academics in NSW with expertise in child protection. She is interested in how children, parents and families are included in decisions made about their lives, in child protection, family and criminal processes - and the implications for their wellbeing.
Hon. Associate Professor Nicola Ross’s has been undertaking socio-legal research for over 20 years, following a career as a social worker and lawyer. She has a long-term interest in equity and inclusion for children, young people, parents, and families in decisions made about them in public and private systems and law. She believes that people who are affected by decisions must be included in processes used to make decisions. She recognises that when those people are children, or are not in positions of power, their perspectives may not be heard or may be marginalised, even though decisions have a profound impact on their lives.
Her research asks how legal professionals and systems support children, young people and parents to participate in decision processes and legal proceedings.
Children’s participation in legal decisions through lawyers
Hon. Associate Professor Nicola Ross’s initial research looked at children and young people’s participation in decisions. She says: “An empirical study of NSW children’s lawyers in family law, child protection and crime, was incorporated in my PhD to understand how children participate in decision making through their lawyers. I argued that relationality is key to how lawyers represent children, and that we need to do more to support children’s lawyers relating to the children they represent. Since this time, we have seen initiatives to ensure that lawyers who represent children or their best interests must meet with children, and specialist lawyers now receive more training to support their communication and relationships with children."
Parents’ Perspectives on their inclusion in child protection processes
Recent research has included research with parents who have lived experience of the child protection system. This research was undertaken with practitioners and researchers, working in partnership with parents with lived experience as consultants. It elicits and helps to better appreciate the perspectives of parents caught up in child protection processes to better support their inclusion in these processes.
Peer Support for Parents in the Children’s Court
The Parents Perspectives research led to an application for funding to trial an action project in the Broadmeadow Children’s Court to support parents whose children had been removed. It utilised a 'family inclusion' lens. Family inclusion is defined as the active and meaningful participation by parents and family in child protection processes at a policy and practice level. Family inclusion is linked to improved outcomes for children, including prevention, restoration, and relational permanence.
“This project enabled parents with lived experience of the child protection system to support other parents whose children were the subjects of proceedings at the Children’s Court. This was important as our prior research showed how difficult parents found it to understand and engage with the legal process, due to its complexity and the social stigma they experienced. The trial was a success. Today this service continues to be run by a parent-led organisation, Family Inclusion Strategies in the Hunter (FISH), with support from a philanthropic foundation.
Family Inclusion: Parent, practitioner and carers perspectives
Associate Professor Nicola Ross’s most recent research takes a broad look at what gets in the way of family inclusion in child protection and out-of-home care processes, from the perspectives of not only parents, but practitioners (from the Department of communities and Justice, out of home care agencies, family support) legal practitioners and foster and kinship carers. She says: “The team who collaborated on this research are proud of this report as it gathers the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. It grapples with and sheds light on what helps and what gets in the way of family inclusion for those who work in or are involved in the child protection sector. We are following this report up with a Family Inclusion Research to Practice Roundtable to assist us to implement some of our research findings in policy and practice.”
Biography
I have a PhD in law from the University of Sydney, and degrees in law (Mq) and social work (UNSW). My research looks at how the law and legal practice affect children and their families.
Background and Research
A strong interest in social justice guided my early career as a lawyer, social worker, manager and government policy consultant. My PhD from Sydney University incorporated an empirical study of children’s lawyers in New South Wales in family law, child protection and crime, with a focus on how children participate in decision making through lawyers.
My research concerns how lawyers and systems support children, young people and parents to participate in legal processes and proceedings. Current research interests include how we can enhance the participation of children, young people, families and communities in child protection processes through a 'family inclusion' lens. I have also published articles on adoption, family violence, how children are heard in Hague Child Abduction Convention matters, child representation, restorative cities and international study opportunities for law students.
Teaching: I taught and coordinated Family Law, Child Law, Criminal Law and Legal System and Method for JD and LLB students. I took students to Cambodia with the support of New Columbo Plan funding on two occasions.
Past service roles: Convener Juris Doctor Program, LLB Honours Program, Faculty research representative and School External Relations.
Research Expertise and recent publications
In my PhD I considered how children’s lawyers in family law, child protection and crime understand the aspects of their role intended to facilitate children’s participation. I undertook an empirical study that explored lawyers' experience of representing children and revealed tensions that influencing their practice. This qualitative research involved interviews with 35 children’s lawyers who practiced in one, two or all three of these jurisdictions in New South Wales. The study built upon existing research into children’s experiences of legal representation. It adopted a children’s rights approach, utilising relational and sociocultural theory and the sociology of childhood. The findings suggest that the nature of proceedings, discourse in the jurisdiction, the model of representation and individual factors relating to lawyers’ ethical orientations to practice influence lawyers’ approach to children’s participation. Lawyers’ relational approaches correlated most closely with children’s right to participation and expectations of legal representation.
In 2013, I was a consultant to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Independent Children's Lawyers (ICL) Study funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. My role included interviewing children about their experiences of having an ICL represent them.
I have published recently on family inclusion in child protection and restorative cities (One article published, two under review).
Teaching Expertise: I was awarded the 2013 Faculty 'Excellence in Law Teaching" Award. I have supervised PhD and Honours students on family/child law topics.
Collaborations
Recently, I have published three reports with other academics, practitioners and parent consultants in the area of child protection. These include (1) research into the experiences of parents who have had children removed from their care and placed in out-of-home care (2) A report of a Parent Peer Support Trial operated in the Children's Court, funded by the Law Foundation of NSW and auspiced by the Newcastle Law School, and (3) Research into the perspectives of parents, carers and practitioners on family inclusion.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Macquarie University
- Diploma of Legal Practice, College of Law
Keywords
- Child Law
- Child Protection
- Children's Participation
- Children's human rights
- Children's lawyers
- Dispute resolution
- Family Law and child protection
- Family law
- Interprofessional collaboration
- Legal Method - communication
- international WiL study
- simulated clients in legal education
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
480405 | Law and society and socio-legal research | 50 |
480505 | Legal practice, lawyering and the legal profession | 25 |
480402 | Family law | 25 |
Professional Experience
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/1/2013 - | Membership - International Society of Family Law | International Society of Family Law Australia |
1/1/2008 - | Membership - Greater Newcastle Family Law Pathways Network | Greater Newcastle Family Law Pathways Network Australia |
1/1/2004 - | Membership - Australasian Law Teachers Association | Australasian Law Teachers Association Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2019 | The Newcastle Law Review (Special Issue: Restorative Practices and Approaches), The University of Newcastle Law School, Newcastle, Australia (2019) |
Chapter (4 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2018 |
Ross NM, Ries NM, Meredith J, Campbell S, 'Local to global: Incorporating overseas work and study in the law school curriculum', The Globalisation of Higher Education: Developing Internationalised Education Research and Practice, Palgrave, Switzerland 291-305 (2018) [B1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2016 | Ross NM, 'Legal Representation of Children', Children and the Law in Australia, LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia 587-613 (2016) | ||||||||||
2014 |
Ross N, Apps AE, Campbell S, 'Shaping the future lawyer: connecting students with clients in first-year law', Legal Education: Simulation in Theory and Practice, Ashgate, London 67-86 (2014) [B1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2008 | Ross NM, 'Legal representation of children', Children and the Law in Australia, LexisNexis, Chatswood, New South Wales 544-573 (2008) [B1] | Nova | |||||||||
Show 1 more chapter |
Journal article (16 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2023 |
Davies K, Ross N, Cocks J, Foote W, 'Family inclusion in child protection: Knowledge, power and resistance', Children and Youth Services Review, 147 (2023) [C1] The inclusion of families throughout the child protection process can improve lifelong outcomes for children who have been removed from their parents¿ care. However, child protect... [more] The inclusion of families throughout the child protection process can improve lifelong outcomes for children who have been removed from their parents¿ care. However, child protection authorities have struggled to prioritize principles of family inclusion within systems that position families as risky. While parents¿ experiences of powerlessness within child protection systems have been well documented, little is known about parents¿ perspectives on family inclusion specifically. We engaged six parents who had experienced removal of children from their care in interviews and focus groups as part of a larger study that examined practitioners¿, carers¿, lawyers¿ and parents¿ views on family inclusion in Australia. In this article we report on parents¿ experiences and recommendations for improving family inclusion. Through the analytical framework of Foucauldian concepts of power, knowledge and acts of resistance we highlight the complexities of parents¿ lives and intersections in their experiences of systemic and social exclusion. In identifying the importance of collaboration, decision making and parental identity these findings suggest that the advocacy of parents for inclusion in the lives of their children is an underutilized asset in child protection systems.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
Connor T, Ries N, Ross N, Sobel-Read KB, Matas D, 'BECOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS AND GLOBAL LAWYERS: INCORPORATING INTERNATIONAL WORK AND STUDY EXPERIENCES INTO THE AUSTRALIAN LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM', Clinical Law Review: a journal of lawyering and legal education, 25 63-94 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
Anderson JL, Ross N, 'A Restorative City for New South Wales - Could Newcastle be a Model?', Journal of Judicial Administration, 27 74-91 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
Ross NM, Fernando M, 'Stifled Voices: Hearing children s objections in Hague Child Abduction Convention cases in Australia', International Journal of Law Policy and the Family, 2018 93-108 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
Ross NM, Johnston L, Cocks J, Stoker L, 'Evidence-based law and practice with disadvantaged populations: Perspectives of parents involved in child protection proceedings', Newcastle Law Review, 12 23-41 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2016 | Ross NM, Cashmore J, 'Adoption reforms New South Wales style: A comparative look', Australian Journal of Family Law, 30 51-75 (2016) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
2016 | Ross NM, James C, 'Did he ever hit you? Exploring the attitudes of lawyers in the assessment of the seriousness of threats and violent histories in domestic violence cases', Australian Journal of Family Law, 30 205-239 (2016) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
2013 |
Ross NM, 'Different Views? Children's Lawyers and Children's Participation in Protective Proceedings in New South Wales, Australia', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 27 332-358 (2013) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2013 | Ross N, 'Children's Lawyers: "Seeing" children', New Zealand Law Review, 2013 409-427 (2013) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
2013 |
Freeman E, Ross NM, St George J, Fletcher R, 'A quantitative analysis of practitioners' knowledge of fathers and fathers' engagement
in family relationship services', Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, 24 270-277 (2013) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2012 | Ross NM, 'Independent children's lawyers: Relational approaches to children's representation', Australian Journal of Family Law, 26 1-26 (2012) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
2012 | Ross NM, 'The Dad Factor [Book review]', Australian Journal of Family Law, 26 280 (2012) [C3] | ||||||||||
2006 |
Ross NM, Finlay-Jones JA, 'Peer Mentoring for Law Students - Improving the First Year Advocacy Experience', The Law Teacher, 40 22-38 (2006) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2005 | Ross NM, 'Images of children: agency, art 12 and models for legal representation.', Australian Journal of Family Law, 19 94-111 (2005) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
Show 13 more journal articles |
Conference (11 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 |
Anderson J, Ross N, 'The Second Step: Pathways to Building a Restorative City', Burlington, Vermont, USA (2018)
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2017 |
Anderson JL, Ross N, 'A Restorative City for New South Wales - Could Newcastle be a Model?', Sydney, NSW, Australia (2017)
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2015 |
Blakemore TJ, Howard A, McCarthy S, Ross N, 'Interprofessional Work Integrated Learning : Exploring Opportunities for Social Innovation in Australian Tertiary Education', Kyoto , Japan (2015)
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2012 | Ross NM, 'Critical or a nonsense? How children's lawyers define children's participation in court proceedings', Doing Justice for Young People: Issues and challenges for Judicial Administration in Australia and New Zealand Conference, Brisbane (2012) [E3] | ||||
2011 | Ross NM, 'Contrasting children's participation in family law and child protection proceedings', Child Protection in Australia and New Zealand: Issues and challenges for Judicial Administration Conference, Brisbane (2011) [E3] | ||||
2011 | Ross NM, 'Child representation in protective proceedings in New South Wales: A paradox', Child Protection in Australia and New Zealand: Issues and challenges for Judicial Administration Conference, Brisbane (2011) [E3] | ||||
2011 |
Ross NM, Campbell SA, Apps AE, 'Up close and personal - Creating a simulated client experience for first year law students', 14th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference 2011, Brisbane, QLD (2011) [E2]
|
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2010 | Ross NM, 'Contrasting children's participation through lawyers in family law and child protection proceedings', 11th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference. Program and Abstracts, Melbourne, Vic (2010) [E3] | ||||
2009 | Ross NM, 'Two sides of the same coin? Lawyers' representation of children and children's participation in legal proceedings', 5th World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights: Registration Brochure, Halifax, Nova Scotia (2009) [E3] | ||||
Show 8 more conferences |
Report (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2023 |
Ross N, Cocks J, Foote W, Davies K, 'Just work as a team: Reconstructing family inclusion from parent, carer and practitioner perspectives.', Department of Communities and Justice (2023)
|
Nova | ||||||
2017 |
Ross N, Cocks J, Johnston L, Stoker L, ' No voice, no opinion, nothing : Parent experiences when children are removed and placed in care', 75 (2017)
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Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 17 |
---|---|
Total funding | $371,467 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20186 grants / $222,418
Early Career Researcher HDR Scholarship$106,728
Funding body: The University of Newcastle
Funding body | The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | Early Career Researcher HDR Scholarship: Research Advantage |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Parents Helping Parents: Parent Peer Support Project$49,990
Funding body: Law & Justice Foundation of New South Wales
Funding body | Law & Justice Foundation of New South Wales |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Nicola Ross |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1801071 |
Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
Category | 3200 |
UON | Y |
New Columbo Plan Mobility Grant$33,000
Funding body: New Colombo Plan Student Mobility Project, Australian Government
Funding body | New Colombo Plan Student Mobility Project, Australian Government |
---|---|
Scheme | New Colombo Plan 2018 Mobility Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | N |
Parent Engagement in Child Protection Processes Project$21,700
Funding body: NSW Department of Family and Community Services
Funding body | NSW Department of Family and Community Services |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Nicola Ross |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | G1801242 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
Newcastle as a Restorative City$8,000
Funding body: Ian Potter Foundation
Funding body | Ian Potter Foundation |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Tania Sourdin, Doctor Nicola Ross, Professor John Anderson |
Scheme | Conference Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | G1700771 |
Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
Category | 3200 |
UON | Y |
Conference Grant for Presentation at the International Restorative Justice Conference, Global Unity and Healing, Vermont Law School, University of Vermont$3,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law
Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor John Anderson |
Scheme | Conference Travel Grant Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20173 grants / $62,712
Restorative justice initiatives in the Hunter and Newcastle’s proclamation as a Restorative City$54,712
Funding body: NED Foundation
Funding body | NED Foundation |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor John Anderson, Professor Tania Sourdin, Doctor Nicola Ross |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | G1701082 |
Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
Category | 3200 |
UON | Y |
Deans Research Excellence Award (Law)$5,000
Funding body: Newcastle Law School
Funding body | Newcastle Law School |
---|---|
Scheme | Dean’s Research Excellence Award |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Conference grant to present at 7th World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights Dublin$3,000
Funding body: Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | Conference funding |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20164 grants / $60,000
New Columbo Plan Mobility Grant$33,000
Funding body: New Colombo Plan Student Mobility Project, Australian Government
Funding body | New Colombo Plan Student Mobility Project, Australian Government |
---|---|
Project Team | Sher Campbell |
Scheme | New Columbo Plan Mobility Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | N |
Evidence-based Law and Practice Priority Research Initiative$20,000
Establish Evidence-based Law and Practice Priority Research Initiative
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law
Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law |
---|---|
Scheme | Faculty Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Teaching & Learning Seed Grant 2016: Evaluating the internationalisation of law students’ learning$4,000
Funding body: Faculty of Business and Law, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Business and Law, University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Nicola Ross, Nola Ries, Sher Campbell, Jacquie Svenson, Daniel Matas, Tim Connor, Kevin Sobel-Read, Katherine Lindsay |
Scheme | Teaching and Learning Seed Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Conference Funding (Plenary presentation) Culture, Dispute Resolution and the Modernised Family Conference, organised by the International Centre of Family Law, Policy and Practice in association with King’s College London, from 6th to 8th July 2016.$3,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law
Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law |
---|---|
Scheme | Conference Travel Grant Scheme |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20152 grants / $12,292
Parents’ perspectives on support/legal services after having a child removed and placed in out of home care$8,292
Funding body: Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Dr Nicola Ross, Ms Lou Johnston (Social Work, UoN) Ms Jessica Cocks (Life Without Barriers) Ms Lynette Stoker (FAC, UoN) |
Scheme | Faculty Research Project Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Community Engagement Impact Case Study grant$4,000
Influencing policy and practice: How lawyers work with children in family law, child protection and criminal law.
Funding body: Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Scheme | Faculty of Business and Law Community Impact Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2015 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20071 grants / $12,000
Peer Mentoring Program for first year law students$12,000
Funding body: Centre for Teaching and Learning, The University of Newcastle
Funding body | Centre for Teaching and Learning, The University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Mrs Katherine Lindsay and Ms Nicola Ross |
Scheme | Centre for Teaching & Learning Research Grant 2009 |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2007 |
Funding Finish | 2007 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20051 grants / $2,045
The Fourth World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights, 20-23 March 2005$2,045
Funding body: University of Newcastle
Funding body | University of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Nicola Ross |
Scheme | Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2005 |
Funding Finish | 2005 |
GNo | G0184988 |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | Y |
Research Projects
Newcastle as a Restorative City 2016 -
To transform a city into a restorative city where restorative practices are implemented broadly to restore damaged relationships and manage social and community challenges across all sectors of the city involves a change in attitudes at multiple levels (personal, institutional, city) to support respectful dialogue and a preference for social inclusion and restoration where individual or institutional harm has occurred to individuals in the community. This often goes hand in hand with the development of restorative justice programs and restorative practices implemented in schools and other community organisations. Although other cities, including Canberra, have been pursuing similar goals and present important learning opportunities in relation to their various strategies, it is clear that restorative cities cannot be transplanted. Such cities must be built and grow in the context of their particular demography, citizenry, strengths and challenges.
Newcastle is the seventh largest city in Australia, with a population of over 160,000 people. Although it is experiencing urban renewal, there are questions about whether social and cultural renewal will co-occur with the much-needed economic renewal of the city. There are various ‘restorative-type’ practices occurring in different organisations and sectors of the city but there is limited sharing of experiences and strategies. We will consider the synergies existing and developing in Newcastle to progress the vision of a restorative city together with the inevitable barriers and scepticism associated with such significant social and cultural change. Even in the face of many significant hurdles to be overcome, we are optimistic that the project will gather momentum and incrementally move towards the ultimate vision of a restorative city.
The research team is comprised of:
- Dr Nicola Ross – Senior Lecturer, Newcastle Law School. Well respected and high-profile researcher in relation to child protection and issues affecting family cohesion and welfare in Australia and international contexts. She has published widely on the legal constructs of children and their voices in autonomous decision-making.
- Dr John Anderson – Associate Professor, Newcastle Law School. Leading and experienced criminal law and justice scholar who principally researches and publishes in the areas of sentencing and evidence. His scholarship has an overarching concern with equity and fairness in the criminal justice system. He has effectively collaborated with various scholars and practitioners both in Australia and internationally.
This project has so far resulted in two conference presentations, one peer review journal article and will be hosting an international symposium over two days in June 2018.
Grants
A Restorative City for New South Wales: Could Newcastle be a Model?
Funding body: Nurturing Evolutionary Development Inc (NED Foundation)
Funding body | Nurturing Evolutionary Development Inc (NED Foundation) |
---|---|
Description | A restorative city is one in which restorative justice and restorative practices are implemented widely throughout the life of the city. Restorative justice has traditionally been associated with criminal justice systems, where techniques such as victim-offender mediations, restorative justice conferencing and re-integrative shaming are employed. These techniques bring the offender, victim, community members and other interested parties together to discuss the offending, and propose ways forward which heal the victim and the community, while reintegrating the offender into the community. Restorative cities go further by introducing restorative practices throughout the community: in education, in social services, in law enforcement, and in workplaces. Mediations, conferences and relationship-building exercises are used to encourage the resolution of disputes and disagreements through communication, to address inappropriate behaviour, and to promote a caring and inclusive culture. Restorative cities have many positive impacts in the community. The introduction of restorative justice into criminal systems has resulted in less offending, less recidivism and greater participant satisfaction with the process by all parties including those offended against. In schools, students learn how to build relationships, solve disputes and understand other points of view. This leads to higher attendance, improved educational outcomes and improved school culture. Workplaces that engage with restorative practices are more productive. Restorative cities are safer, happier, hopeful places where community spirit is restored and the social fabric of the city transformed. Mary Porter AM recently moved to the Newcastle area. Mary is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, who is committed to community development. She played a pivotal role in the movement to transform Canberra into a Restorative City. Mary had a similar vision for the transformation of Newcastle and approached Newcastle Law School to partner with her to undertake this. Newcastle Law School’s newly appointed Dean, Professor Sourdin is an international expert in dispute resolution. Associate Professor John Anderson, who teaches evidence and criminal law, and Dr Nicola Ross, who teaches family and child law, have long-standing interests in restorative justice and practices, as does Shaun McCarthy, Director of the University of Newcastle Legal Centre. Newcastle has pockets of disadvantage in relation to unemployment, income, education, housing, child welfare, and criminal justice. It has recently faced challenges due to the erosion of traditional industry & employment opportunities. While plans are underway for urban renewal in the city’s CBD, Newcastle is also in need of social, cultural and economic renewal. A significant contribution to this broad renewal could be made through Newcastle becoming a restorative city. The support of key stakeholders is required to achieve the transformation of Newcastle into a restorative city. In other restorative cities, these stakeholders include community members from the criminal justice system, government, education, health, business, and community welfare. Assembling a task force to carry the project forward is the first step. Co-ordination with key stakeholders is required to introduce restorative practices throughout the community. Other restorative cities have commenced by introducing restorative practices into organisations that work with children and young people, such as schools, child and community welfare organisations, and the youth justice system. This strategy aims to ensure all children become experts in restorative practices, to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders are able to participate in strong, inclusive communities, and are ready to face the many challenges undoubtedly ahead. |
Scheme | Community Project Grant |
Newcastle as a Restorative City
Funding body: Ian Potter Foundation
Funding body | Ian Potter Foundation |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Tania Sourdin, Doctor Nicola Ross, Professor John Anderson |
Scheme | Conference Grant |
Publications
Anderson JL, Ross N, 'A Restorative City for New South Wales - Could Newcastle be a Model?', Journal of Judicial Administration, 27 74-91 (2018) [C1]
Collaborators
Name | Organisation |
---|---|
Doctor Nicola Mary Ross | University of Newcastle |
Professor Tania Michelle Sourdin | University of Newcastle |
Edit
News
News • 2 Jan 2024
Child Protection: Repairing a Badly Broken System
Progressive changes to the child protection system are taking place, driven in the Hunter by parents and
leading academics.
News • 9 Sep 2023
Broken Child Protection System must Focus on Restoration
More time, money and effort must be made to keep children at home, or in appropriate forms of foster care if they must be removed from their families, with a focus on restoration, says leading Hunter academic, Nicola Ross.
News • 19 Jul 2018
Capacity Assessment Symposium
Symposium on medical capacity assessment – methodology, issues and dangers, practical issues in capacity assessment and assisted decision making for older persons
News • 21 Feb 2017
New approach to child protection needed: report
A parent and family inclusive approach to child protection and foster care is urgently needed in Australia, a report to be launched today will recommend.
News • 25 Mar 2014
Nicola Ross on Child Representation
Dr Nicola Ross was a keynote speaker at the 2014 NSW Child Representation Conference organised by Legal Aid NSW.
News • 20 Mar 2014
Children in care need protection of society
In recent days reports have emerged about organised sexual abuse of teenagers in residential care in Victoria. We have also witnessed the devastating stories of adult survivors of child sexual and other abuse by the authorities into whose care they were entrusted when they were vulnerable children.
Dr Nicola Ross
Position
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Law and Justice
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
nicola.ross@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 5871 |
Fax | (02) 4921 6931 |
Office
Room | X-530 |
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Building | NeW Space |
Location | City Campus , |