Ms Ciara Smyth

Overview

Ciara has a background in sociology and research methods and has a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research skills. Prior to joining the SPRC in June 2003, Ciara worked in research in the non-government sector in Sydney and in Dublin. Ciara is currently undertaking a PhD and is supervised by Lyn Craig and George Argyrous.

Research Summary

The aim of this study is to explore parental responsibility for children’s cognitive development, a responsibility that first appeared in the parenting advice literature in the 1960s (Wrigley, 1989). During the 1990s, this responsibility was further reinforced by ‘new’ research in the field of neuroscience that identified infancy and early childhood as critical periods of development (Bruer 1998, 1999). This research emphasised the importance of the early years for enhancing a child’s capacity for language and learning, in effect laying the foundation for future educational success. Since this time, the message concerning the importance of the early years has been taken up by educators, policy makers, the parenting advice literature and infant toy marketers. This study will make new contributions to knowledge by shedding light on contemporary parenting practices in Australia through examining parents’ beliefs and views concerning their responsibility for their children’s cognitive development.

Publications

Recent Journal Articles
Smyth, C., Cass, B. and Hill, T. (2010), ‘Children and young people as active agents in care-giving: Agency and constraint’, Children and Youth Services Review, published online: June 2, 2010, doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.05.009.

Smyth, C. and Michail, S. (2010). Exploring young carers’ agency. Qualitative Research Journal, 10 (2), 36-45.

Smyth, C., Blaxland, M. and Cass, B. (2010). ‘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. DOI 10.1080/13676261.2010.506524

Smyth, C. and M. McHugh, (2006) ‘Exploring the dimensions of professional fostering: carers' perceptions of their fostering role’, Children Australia, 31 (1), pp 12-20

Recent Consultancy Reports
Cass, B., Smyth, C., Hill, T., Blaxland, M., Hamilton, M., (2009) 'Young carers in Australia:understanding the advantages and disadvantages of their care giving', Social Policy Research Paper No. 38, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Canberra.

Hill, T., Smyth, C., Thomson, C. and Cass, B. (2009) Young Carers: Their Characteristics and Geographical Distribution (PDF), Report Prepared for the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS), Canberra.

Smyth, C. and T. Eardley (2007), ‘Out of Home Care for Children in Australia: A Review of Literature and Policy (PDF)’, Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, September 2006

Siminski, P., Thompson, D., Bittman, M., Chalmers, J., Smyth, C. and Craig, L., (2006), 'Factors Associated with Inter-state Differences in Fertility Rates across States and Territories and over Time' report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Smyth, C., M. Rawsthorne and P. Siminski (2005) ‘Women’s Lifework’ Final Report, for the Commonwealth, States, Territories and New Zealand Ministers Conference on the Status for Women (MINCO), August 2005

Smyth, C.. and T. Eardley (2005), Retirees’ Use of Superannuation Payments, Final Report for the Department of Family and Community Services, Social Policy