I am an expert professional in the fields of restorative practices and dispute resolution. I am an accredited group conferencing convenor. and mediator (accredited in Australia and the United States).
I acquired experience in a range of front-line service-delivery programs before co-designing the pioneering dispute resolution course at La Trobe Law School (between 2002- 2015).
I have worked as an independent consultant mediator, conferencing convenor and facilitator for over 25 years. My current professional practice includes providing restorative practices (RP) training, mentoring and developing programs in justice, community and workplace contexts throughout Australia.. I am also an RP independent specialist on local, state and Commonwealth panels.
I assist individuals and groups to resolve disputes, manage conflict and promote effective communication. This work helps to develop conflict resilient workplaces and improve the governance and relationship management of institutions, non and government organisations, service providers and community groups. .Workplaces include education and tertiary institutions
I provide professional development conflict transformation training workshops - Setting Relations Right - with Dr David Moore nationally and internationally. This workshop provides 3-day training on the practical theory of restorative practices and relationship management. The workshop is relevant for facilitators, managers, policy makers and evaluators. We also offer tailored in-house training to support the specific needs of an organisation, and so all stakeholders can contribute to the training design and achieve positive outcomes.
My research and publications have focused on improving access to justice, assessing the effectiveness of dispute resolution and conflict management in family matters, reforming mental health tribunals, and expanding the use of dispute resolution and restorative practices in the mental health field, and identifying effective responses to institutional abuse, adult and adolescent family violence and sexual abuse.