Rate My Professor Jackie Sanders

Professor Jackie Sanders is a professor in the School of Social Work at Massey University, where she holds the position of Professor in Children's and Youth Studies and serves as Director of the Children, Youth, and Families Research Project. She earned her MA from Massey University in 1984 and her PhD from the same institution in 2004, with a thesis examining the everyday experiences of children in small-town Aotearoa/New Zealand. Prior to joining the School of Social Work following her doctorate, Sanders spent twenty years working in health and social service planning and management.

Her research focuses on families and communities, with an emphasis on ensuring children and young people receive the best possible start in life. Key projects include the Pathways to Resilience study and the Long-term Successful Youth Transitions Study, conducted in collaboration with Professor Robyn Munford, which explore resilience pathways for high-risk youth through longitudinal analysis of transitions from ages 13 to 17. Sanders has contributed to the development of the PARTH model, an online tool for youth workers based on extensive case studies, as well as guidelines for employers supporting young people into employment. Her selected publications include works on positive youth development practices, non-profit sector analysis in New Zealand, and family support models. Sanders maintains an active role in doctoral supervision within the School of Social Work.