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Dr Ciara Smyth

Dr Ciara Smyth

Senior Research Fellow

BA (Hons), Trinity College Dublin, MSc, Trinity College Dublin, PhD UNSW Sydney

Arts, Design & Architecture
Social Policy Research Centre

Dr Ciara Smyth is a Senior Research Fellow at the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW Sydney. She has over 20 years’ applied social policy and evaluation research experience covering domestic and family violence, disability, homelessness, parenting, settlement services and child protection. Her research program is committed to improving services and supports for excluded, marginalised and disadvantaged groups. She has successfully managed large scale evaluation research projects of government-funded services, which have had significant impact by informing policy, program design and service quality improvements. She has made significant contributions to conducting research - literature reviews, policy analysis, research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection, data analysis, mixed method data synthesis - and generating high quality research outputs that contribute to the knowledge and evidence base. 

Phone
02 9385 7844
Location
246 Goodsell Building
  • Book Chapters | 2020
    Smyth C; Hamilton M, 2020, 'Young carers', in The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development,
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Idle J; Robinson S; Fisher KR; Ikäheimo H; Smyth C; Yoon J, 2024, 'Conceptualising the everyday harm experienced by people with cognitive disability: A scoping review of microaggression and emotional and psychological abuse', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability,
    Journal articles | 2023
    Drysdale K; Bates S; Ritter A; Smyth C; Leeuw ED; Katz I, 2023, 'Is there a role for hybrid service provision in place-based initiatives within the human services sector? Findings from an Australian exploratory study', Australian Journal of Public Administration,
    Journal articles | 2023
    Smyth C; Fisher K; Robinson S; Ikaheimo H; Hrenchir N; Idle J; Yoon J, 2023, 'Policy representation of everyday harm experienced by people with disability', Social Policy and Administration: an international journal of policy and research, 58, pp. 691 - 707,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cortis N; Smyth C; valentine K; Breckenridge J; Cullen P, 2021, 'Adapting Service Delivery during COVID-19: Experiences of Domestic Violence Practitioners', The British Journal of Social Work, 51, pp. 1779 - 1798,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Smyth C; Cortis N; Powell A, 2021, 'University staff and flexible work: inequalities, tensions and challenges', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43, pp. 489 - 504,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Smyth C; Cullen P; Breckenridge J; Cortis N; valentine K, 2021, 'COVID-19 lockdowns, intimate partner violence and coercive control', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 56, pp. 359 - 373,
    Journal articles | 2019
    valentine K; Smyth C; Newland J, 2019, '‘Good enough’ parenting: Negotiating standards and stigma', International Journal of Drug Policy, 68, pp. 117 - 123,
    Journal articles | 2018
    Cortis N; Smyth C; Wade C; Katz I, 2018, 'Changing practice cultures in statutory child protection: Practitioners' perspectives', Child and Family Social Work, 24, pp. 50 - 58,
    Journal articles | 2017
    Smyth CA, 2017, 'Maximising advantage in the preschool years: Parents’ resources and strategies', Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 42, pp. 65 - 72,
    Journal articles | 2015
    Smyth C; Craig L, 2015, 'Conforming to intensive parenting ideals: willingness, reluctance and social context', Families, Relationships and Societies, 6, pp. 107 - 124,
    Journal articles | 2015
    Smyth C, 2015, 'Getting Ahead in the Preschool Years: An Analysis of a Preschool Enrichment and Entertainment Market', Sociology,
    Journal articles | 2014
    Craig L; Powell A; Smyth C, 2014, 'Towards intensive parenting? Changes in the composition and determinants of mothers and fathers' time with children 1992-2006', British Journal of Sociology,
    Journal articles | 2014
    Smyth C, 2014, 'Boost your preschooler's brain power! An analysis of advice to parents from an Australian government-funded website', Women's Studies International Forum, 45, pp. 10 - 18,
    Journal articles | 2011
    Smyth C; Blaxland M; Cass B, 2011, ''So that's how I found out I was a young carer and that I actually had been a carer most of my life'. Identifying and supporting hidden young carers', Journal of Youth Studies, 14, pp. 145 - 160,
    Journal articles | 2011
    Smyth C; Cass B; Hill T, 2011, 'Children and young people as active agents in care-giving: agency and constraint', Children and Youth Services Review, 33, pp. 509 - 514,
    Journal articles | 2010
    Smyth C; Michail S, 2010, 'Exploring Young Carers’ Agency', Qualitative Research Journal, 10, pp. 36 - 50,
    Journal articles | 2008
    Cass B; Blaxland M; Smyth C, 2008, '‘So that’s how I found out I was a young carer and that I actually had been a carer most of my life.’ Identifying and supporting hidden young carers', Family Tax Benefit Part B: Where to from here?
    Journal articles | 2006
    Smyth C; Mchugh MH, 2006, 'Exploring the dimensions of professional fostering: carers` perceptions of their fostering role', Children Australia, 31 (1), pp. 12 - 20
  • Reports | 2024
    Drysdale K; Fisher K; Smyth C; Gendera S; Newman C, 2024, Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Way Project Evaluation Report, , /content/dam/pdfs/unsw-adobe-websites/arts-design-architecture/sprc/2024-06-ovolow-evaluation-report-final-june-2024.pdf
    Reports | 2024
    Smyth C; Cortis N; Blunden H; Bates S; Katz I, 2024, Specialist Workers for Children and Young People Outcomes Evaluation – Final Report, ,
    Reports | 2023
    Adamson E; Katz I; Gendera S; Smyth C, 2023, Evaluation of SDN Beranga Autism-Specific Preschool: Final Report, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, /research/sprc/our-projects/Evaluation-of-SDN-Beranga-Autism-specific-Preschool
    Reports | 2023
    Cortis N; Smyth C; Katz I, 2023, Reducing restrictive practices: A review of evidence-based alternatives, Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability,
    Reports | 2023
    Smyth C; Bates S, 2023, Would adopting more co-governance arrangements with communities build public trust? A scoping study, ANZSOG, Melbourne,
    Reports | 2022
    Giuntoli G; Rengel-Gonçalves A; Smyth C; Bates S; Fisher K; Li B; Ramirez B; Golding D; Kayess R; Katz I, 2022, Towards best-practice access to services for culturally and linguistically diverse people with a disability. Desktop review, Social Policy Research Centre
    Reports | 2022
    Smyth C; Katz I, 2022, Changing experiences of virtual, physical and hybrid service delivery across the social care (child and family services) sector, ANZSOG,
    Reports | 2021
    Giuntoli G; Smyth C; Hilferty F, 2021, Understanding the needs of families of injured workers. A qualitative study with partners and workers from Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police and NSW Health, Social Policy Research Centre, Sydney
    Reports | 2020
    Robinson S; valentine K; Newton BJ; Smyth C; Parmenter N, 2020, Violence prevention and early intervention for mothers and children with disability: Building promising practice, ANROWS, Sydney,
    Reports | 2020
    Smyth C; Cortis N; Cama E; Giuntoli G; Breckenridge J; valentine K, 2020, Evaluation of 1800RESPECT – Final Report, UNSW Social Policy Research Centre, Sydney,
    Reports | 2019
    Smyth C; Katz I, 2019, OCHRE Local Decision Making Accords: Illawarra Wingecarribee Alliance Aboriginal Corporation, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, SPRC Report 10/19,
    Reports | 2018
    Cortis N; Smyth C; Powell A, 2018, A flexible workplace for all? Staff perspectives on flexible work at UNSW, UNSW
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Smyth C; Katz I, 2018, '‘Implementing No Jab, No Pay: Policy Considerations’', presented at Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 25 September 2018 - 27 July 2018
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    Smyth C; Katz I, 2018, '‘Supporting Settlement: Balancing Obligations with ‘Putting Australia First’', presented at XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology, Toronto, Canada., 15 July 2018 - 21 July 2018
    Reports | 2017
    Smyth CA; Gendera S; Giuntoli G; Hill T; Katz I; Asante D, 2017, Evaluation of Settlement Grants - Final report, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, SPRC Report 12/17, ,
    Conference Presentations | 2017
    valentine K; Fotheringham M; Zmudzki F; Smyth C, 2017, 'Reporting on reforms to the NSW Specialist Homelessness Services Program', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference, University of New South Wales, 25 September 2017 - 27 September 2017
    Reports | 2017
    valentine K; Zmudzki F; Fotheringham M; Smyth C, 2017, Early Review of the Specialist Homelessness Services Program, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, SPRC Report 03/17,
    Reports | 2016
    Smyth CA; Katz I, 2016, Child Protection and Respectful Relationships Education and Best Practice in School Settings – Literature Review & Stakeholder Consultation, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney
    Reports | 2016
    Wade C; Mildon R; Shlonsky A; Katz I; valentine K; Eastman C; Cortis N; Smyth CA; Forbes F, 2016, Practice First Evaluation Report,
    Reports | 2016
    valentine K; Katz I; Smyth C; Bent C; Rinaldis S; Wade C; Albers B, 2016, Key Elements of Child Safe Organisations – Research Study, Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Sydney,
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Cortis N; Katz I; Smyth C; valentine K; Wade C, 2015, 'Putting practice first? Practitioners’ perspectives on the implementation of a child-centred model of child protection practice in NSW', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference, UNSW Sydney, Australia, 28 September 2015 - 30 September 2015
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    valentine K; Katz I; Cortis N; Smyth C; Cassells R; Eastman C; Shlonsky A; Duncan A, 2015, 'Determining the impact of child protection reforms: Lessons from the evaluation of Keep Them Safe', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney, 28 September 2015 - 30 September 2015
    Reports | 2014
    Cassells R; Cortis N; Duncan A; Eastman C; Gao G; Giuntoli G; Katz I; Keegan M; Macvean M; Mavisakalyan A; Shlonsky A; Skattebol J; Smyth C; valentine K, 2014, Keep Them Safe Outcomes Evaluation: Final Report, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney
    Reports | 2014
    Eastman C; Hill T; Newland J; Smyth C; valentine K, 2014, Thriving in Adversity: A positive deviance study of safe communities for children, SPRC Report 30/2014,
    Reports | 2013
    Muir K; Hilferty F; Katz I; Mitrou F; Christensen D; Smyth C; Zubrick S; Lawrence D, 2013, Independent evaluation of the headspace program: Evaluation Framework, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney
    Conference Presentations | 2013
    Smyth C, 2013, '‘Fostering children’s cognitive development in the preschool years: The message and the uptake', presented at Ciara Smyth, Australian Social Policy Conference, UNSW Sydney, Australia, 16 September 2013 - 18 September 2013
    Conference Presentations | 2011
    Smyth C, 2011, 'Exploring parental responsibility for children’s cognitive development', presented at Ciara Smyth, Monitoring Parents: Science, Evidence, Experts and the New Parenting Culture, University of Kent, UK, 13 September 2011 - 14 September 2011
    Reports | 2009
    Cass B; Smyth C; Hill T; Blaxland M; Hamilton M, 2009, Young carers in Australia: understanding the advantages and disadvantages of their care giving, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Canberra, 38,
    Reports | 2009
    Cass B; Smyth C; Hill T; Blaxland M; Hamilton M, 2009, Young carers in Australia, Deapartment of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
    Reports | 2009
    Hill T; Smyth C; Thomson C; Cass B, 2009, Young Carers: Their Characteristics and Geographical Distribution, National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, Canberra
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Michail S; Hamilton M; Smyth C, 2009, 'Reflections on participatory techniques in young carer research: Some lessons learned', presented at Samia Michail, Myra Hamilton and Ciara Smyth. 2nd International Conference of the International Society of Child Indicators, University of Western Sydney, Australia, 04 November 2009 - 05 November 2009
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Smyth C; Michail S, 2009, 'Exploring young carers’ active agency', presented at , Australian Social Policy Conference, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 08 July 2009 - 10 July 2009
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Thomson C; Hill T; Smyth C; Cass B, 2009, 'I’m just helping out the family: profiling hidden young carers', presented at Cathy Thomson, Trish Hill, Ciara Smyth and Bettina Cass, Australian Social Policy Conference,, University of New South Wales 8-10 July, 2009, 08 July 2009 - 10 July 2020
    Conference Presentations | 2008
    Cass B; Brennan D; Thomson CM; Hill T; Michail S; Purcal C; Smyth C, 2008, 'Young Carers: Identifying supportive policies and programs - some ideas from the field', presented at Young Carers Workshop, Sydney, 02 December 2008
    Reports | 2008
    Davidson RT; Spooner CJ; Fisher KR; Newton B; Dadich A; Smyth C; Tudball J; Flaxman S, 2008, Indigenous Research Strategy: Working better with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, Social Policy Research Centre, Sydney, Report 14/08,
    Conference Presentations | 2008
    Smyth C; Cass B; Blaxland M, 2008, 'So that’s how I found out I was a young carer and that I actually had been a carer most of my life.’ Identifying and supporting hidden young carers', presented at Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 09 July 2008 - 11 July 2008
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Smyth C; Cass B; Blaxland M, 2008, 'So that’s how I found out I was a young carer and that I actually had been a carer most of my life.’ Identifying and supporting hidden young carers', Melbourne, Australia, presented at Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, Australia, -
    Reports | 2008
    Smyth C; Eardley , 2008, Out of home care for children in Australia: a review of literature and policy (final report), 3/2008
    Reports | 2008
    Smyth C; Eardley AC, 2008, Out of home care for children in Australia: a review of literature and policy, Social Policy Research Centre, Sydney, Report 3/08,
    Conference Presentations | 2008
    Smyth C, 2008, 'Accessing combinations of informal and formal support services: The case of young carers in Australia: Who bears the costs of care-giving?', presented at Social Care Workshop, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 18 February 2008 - 19 February 2008
    Conference Presentations | 2007
    Cass B; Smyth C, 2007, 'Children and young people as active agents: Considering the case of young carers', presented at Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Workshop, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 11 October 2007 - 12 October 2007
    Conference Presentations | 2007
    Cass B; Smyth C, 2007, 'The costs of care/the benefits of care: a precarious balance? Considering the case of young carers', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference, , University of New South Wales 11-13 July., 11 July 2007 - 13 July 2007
    Reports | 2007
    Smyth C; Eardley AC, 2007, Out of Home Care for Children in Australia: A Review of Literature and Policy
    Reports | 2006
    Siminski P; Thompson DA; Bittman MP; Chalmers JJ; Smyth C; Craig L, 2006, Factors Associated with Inter-state Differences in Fertility Rates across States and Territories and over Time
    Reports | 2005
    Smyth C; Eardley AC, 2005, Retirees’ Use of Superannuation Payments
    Conference Presentations | 2005
    Smyth C; McHugh M, 2005, 'Exploring the dimensions of professionalising fostering: Carers’ perceptions of their fostering role', presented at Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 09 February 2005 - 11 February 2005
    Reports | 2005
    Smyth C; Rawsthorne M; Siminski P, 2005, Women’s Lifework
    Reports | 2004
    Mchugh MH; McNab JW; Smyth C; Chalmers JJ; Siminski P; Saunders PG, 2004, The Availability of Foster Carers

Ciara has vast experience in a range of social policy research fields including evaluations and policy implementation reviews for federal and state government departments in the areas of domestic and family violence, settlement grants, homelessness, child protection and family payments.Â