Kathleen Ellem

Associate Professor Kathy Ellem is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Discipline for Social Work and Counselling in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at The University of Queensland. She holds a PhD in social work from The University of Queensland, focusing on the experiences of people with intellectual disability in the Queensland prison system, a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the same university, and a Postgraduate Diploma from Queensland University of Technology. Prior to academia, Ellem worked as a social worker in government and non-government sectors, engaging in child protection, youth justice, and disability services. Her practice encompassed casework, case management, behavioural intervention, group work, community development, and advocacy at individual, citizen, and systems levels. She has served as President of Queensland Parents for People with a Disability and holds positions on the Queensland board of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability, as well as committees for Queensland Advocacy Incorporated and Community Living Association.

Ellem's research specializations include participatory methodologies such as narrative, digital, and arts-based research with people with cognitive impairments; the intersection of disability and the criminal justice system; disability workforce development; family-centred practice and capacity building for families of people with disabilities; and self-advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She leads the Honours research course for the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and supervises higher degree research students in disability, mental health, and health. Key publications include the book Young people with cognitive disability in transition to adulthood: stories of survival, aspiration, and systemic failures (Cambridge University Press, 2025), book chapters such as 'Relationship-Based Practice with People with a Mild Intellectual Disability Who Have Been Socially Marginalised and Excluded' (Springer, 2023) and 'Supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities leaving prison' (Wiley, 2020), and journal articles like 'Supporting the recovery of NDIS participants with psychosocial disability: a narrative literature review' (Australian Journal of Social Issues, 2025). Her work has secured Australian Research Council Linkage Project funding for initiatives including 'Empowering peer-parent and family advocacy in Australian child protection' (2025-2028) and 'Enhancing outcomes for young people in out-of-home care who self-place' (2024-2027), contributing to advancements in social work practice for vulnerable populations.

Professional Email: k.ellem@uq.edu.au