A/Prof Karen Fisher

Overview

Associate Professor Karen Fisher, BA LLB (Hons) Auck., MEc Macq, PhD UNSW, conducts research on the organisation of human services in Australia and China, including all stages from project management and research design to analysis and report writing. Her research interests include the organisation of human services in the community; disability and mental health service delivery; project and service evaluation. Karen applies participatory methods with people with disability and disability policy officials and service providers. She is an Official Visitor for NSW Mental Health. She was Acting Deputy Director Disability Studies and Research Centre UNSW; co-convenor of the NSW Australasian Evaluation Society; a foundation member of the Board of the Disability Studies and Research Institute; and a Disability Community Visitor for accommodation services for people with disabilities. Her experience includes eight years early childhood research as a consultant and director in Families At Work. Her research associated with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody included Aboriginal community consultations.

Research Summary

Research interests include the organisation of social services in Australia and China, including disability services, children’s services and community care; constructive evaluation methodology; and social policy process. Recent evaluations include Mental Health Housing Accommodation and Support Initiative NSW (HASI), Resident Support Program Queensland and Families First. Research projects include Chinese disability housing policy, the shortage of early childhood qualified teachers, the assessment process for children with a disability and children's services as a child protection strategy.

Teaching

HDR Supervision. Associate Professor Karen Fisher is keen to supervise higher degree research students and visiting scholars in the organisation of social services with an interest in Australia and China, including disability and mental health services and community care; participatory evaluation methodology; and social policy process.

PhD Joint Supervisor for Emma Partridge ‘Understanding the use of evidence in Indigenous policy’
PhD Co-Adviser for Randall Owen, University of Illinois, Disability Studies, ‘Disability Rights, Employment and Workfare: people with disabilities in liberal welfare states’

Publications

Book

Fisher, K.R., (2009), Whose values shape social policy? Policy process limits to economic rationalism, VDM Verlag Dr Muller, Saabrucken, Germany.

Book Chapters

Fisher, K.R.,, Shang, X.Y. and Xie, J.W. (2010), ‘Support for social participation of children and young people with disability in China – a poor county case study’, in Duckett, J. & Carrillo, B. eds, Social Problems and the Local Welfare Mix in China, Routledge, UK, forthcoming

Refereed Journal Articles

Fisher, K.R., and Purcal, C. (2010), ‘Effective personalised housing support for people with disabilities – case study analysis’, Australian Journal of Social Issues, 45(4): 527-42.

Fisher, K.R., and Robinson, S. (2010), ‘Will policy makers hear my disability experience? How participatory research contributes to managing interest conflict in policy implementation’, Social Policy & Society, 9 (2), 207-220.

Fisher, K.R.,, Shang, X., and Blaxland, M. (2010), ‘Review article: human rights based social policies challenges for China’, Social Policy and Society, 10 (1), 71-77.

Parker, S. and Fisher, K.R., (2010), 'Facilitators and barriers in Australian disability housing support policies: using a human rights framework', Disability Studies Quarterly, 30 (3/4).

Muir, K., Fisher, K.R., Dadich, A. and Abelló, D. (2010), ‘“I didn’t like just sittin’ around all day”: facilitating social and community participation among people with mental illness and high levels of psychiatric disability’, Journal of Social Policy, 39 (3), 375-391.

Fisher, K.R., Parker, S. and Purcal, C. (2009), ‘Measuring the effectiveness of new approaches to housing support policy for persons with disabilities’, Australian Journal of Public Administration, 68 (3), 319-32.

Shang, X.Y., Fisher, K.R. and Xie J.W. (2009), ‘ Discrimination against children with disability in China: a case study in Jiangxi Province’, International Journal of Social Welfare, accepted 1 March 2009, DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2009.00666.x.

Muir, K., Fisher, K.R., Dadich, A. and Abelló, D. (2008), ‘Challenging the exclusion of people with mental illness: the Mental Health Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI)’, Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43(2): 271-90.

Fisher, K.R. and Li, J. (2008), ‘Chinese disability independent living policy’, Disability and Society, 23(2): 171-85.

Purcal, C. and Fisher, K.R. (2007), ‘Balancing qualified staff requirements with shortage of recruits in child care – the NSW experience’, Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42(3): 387-99.

Fisher, K.R., Thomson, C.M. and valentine, k. (2006), ‘Families First Area Review lessons’, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 31(1): 11-19.

valentine, k, Fisher, K.R. and Thomson, C.M. 2006, ‘Making integration happen: the Families First policy experience’, Child Abuse Review, 15(6):414-428.

Purcal, C. and Fisher, K.R.(2006), ‘Affordability funding models for early childhood services’, Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 31(4): 49-58.

Reports and Other Publications

Fisher, K.R., Shang, X and Blaxland, M. (2010),, ‘Introduction: Moving towards human rights based social policy in China’, Social Policy and Society, 10 (1), 67-49.

Fisher, K.R., Gleeson, R., Edwards, R., Purcal, C., Sitek, T., Dinning, B., Laragy, C., D'aegher, L. and Thompson, D., (2010). Effectiveness of individual funding approaches for disability support, Occasional Paper Number 29, Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

McDermott, S., Bruce, J., Fisher, K.R., and Gleeson, R., Evaluation of the Integrated Services Project for Clients with Challenging Behaviour (PDF), SPRC Report 5/10, prepared for Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Human Services NSW, June 2010.

Abelló, D., Fisher, K.R., and Sitek, T. (2010), 'Evaluation of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Recovery Care Program’, prepared for the Department of Human Services, Victoria.

Edwards, R., and Fisher, K.R. (2010), 'Active Linking Initiative Evaluation Final Report (PDF)’, SPRC Report 1/10, report prepared for Ageing Disability and Home Care, Department of Human Services NSW, submitted June 2009, also available as Rich text.

McDermott, S., Bruce, J., Fisher, K.R. and Muir, K. (2009), Evaluation of the whole of mental health, Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI), Evaluation Plan, SPRC Report 17/09, report for NSW Health and Housing NSW, July 2009.

McDermott, S., Fisher, K.R. and Gleeson, R (2009), Integrated Services Project Evaluation Mid-term Report (PDF), SPRC Report 14/09, report for Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW, August 2008.

Fisher, K.R., Maynard, D., Rajkovic, M. and Robinson, S. (2009), Cost of Providing Specialist Disability Services and Communities Services in Queensland, Fair Level of Funding, SPRC Report 8/09, report for Disability Services Queensland and Department of Communities, June 2008.

Edwards, R., Fisher, K.R., Tannous, K. and Robinson S. (2009), Housing and Associated Support for People with Mental Illness or Psychiatric Disability, SPRC Report 4/09, report for the Queensland Department of Housing, June 2008.

Abelló, D., Fisher, K.R. and Sitek, T. (2009), Integrated Rehabilitation and Recovery Care Program Final Evaluation Report, for Department of Human Services Victoria, confidential.

Fisher, K.R., Gleeson, R, Edwards, R., Purcal, C., Sitek, T., Dinning, B., Laragy, C., and D’eagher, L. (2009), Effectiveness of Individual Funding Approaches for Disability Support Final Report, for the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, confidential.

Edwards, R. and Fisher, K.R.(2009), Active Linking Initiative Evaluation Final Report, for NSW Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care, confidential.

Edwards, R. and Fisher, K.R. (2009), Active Linking Initiative Evaluation Interim Findings, for NSW Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care, confidential.

Edwards, R. and Fisher, K.R. (2009), Effectiveness of Individual Funding Approaches for Disability Support Preliminary Findings from Officials Interviews, For the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, confidential.

Fisher, K.R. and Glanfield, G. (2009), ‘Services for people with disability from Chinese backgrounds’, SPRC Newsletter, 101 (PDF): 1,4-5.

Edwards, R., Fisher, K.R. and Thompson, D. (2008), Effectiveness of Individual Funding Approaches for Disability Support Literature Review, For the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, confidential.

Abelló, D., Fisher, K.R. and Edwards, R. (2008), Integrated Rehabilitation and Recovery Care Program Second Progress Report, for Department of Human Services Victoria, confidential.

Fisher, K.R., Tudball, J., Redmond, G., and Robinson, S. (2008), Service Needs of Residents in Private Residential Services in Queensland (PDF), report prepared for Disability Services Queensland, November 2008

Fisher, K.R., Tudball, J., Redmond, G. and Robinson, S. (2008), Research into the Service Needs of Residents in Private Residential Services, for Disability Services Queensland 2007, SPRC Report Series, 17/08.

Davidson, B., C. Spooner, Fisher, K.R., B.J. Newton, A. Dadich, C. Smyth, J. Tudball and S. Flaxman, (2008), Indigenous Research Strategy: Working better with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, SPRC Report 14/08.

Dadich, A. and Fisher, K.R. (2008), Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative One Evaluation Care Planning Review (PDF), report for NSW Health, May 2007, SPRC Report Series 13/08.

Fisher, K.R. and Robinson, S. (2008), ‘Participatory research improves policy implementation (PDF)’, SPRC Newsletter, 99: 6-7.

Edwards, R. and Fisher, K.R. (2008), Disability Policy – Sources for Evidence (PDF), SPRC Report Series, 15/08.

Fisher, K.R. and Parker, S. (2008), Disability policy directions for 24-hour housing and support, Families for Change, Family Advocacy NSW, 3(5): 2-4.

Fisher, K.R. and Shang, X.S. (2008), ‘Supporting older people with disability in China (PDF)’, SPRC Newsletter, 98: 11.

Fisher, K.R. and Edwards, R. (2008), Housing and Associated Support for People with Mental Illness or Psychiatric Disability Research Plan, Department of Housing Queensland, confidential.

Fisher, K.R. and McDermott, S. (2008), Integrated Services Project Evaluation Plan (PDF), Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW, April, SPRC Report Series 12/08,

Fisher, K.R. and Campbell-McLean, C. (2008), Attendant Care Program Direct Funding Pilot Project Evaluation Final Report (PDF), report for Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW, March, SPRC Report Series 11/08

Fisher, K.R., Griffiths, M. and Abelló, D. (2008), Integrated Rehabilitation and Recovery Care Progress Report, report for Department of Human Services Victoria, SPRC Report Series.

Fisher, K.R., Parker, S., Purcal, C., Thaler, O., Abelson, P., Pickering, E. and Griffiths, M. (2008), Effectiveness of Supported Living in Relation to Shared Accommodation, report for Disability Policy and Research Working Group, SPRC Report Series 18/08.

Fisher, K.R. (2007), ‘Improving Child Disability Assessment: Families' Views’ (PDF), SPRC Newsletter, 97: 1, 4-5.

Muir, K and Fisher, K.R. (2007), ‘Stable housing: the foundation of improved mental health. Findings from the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI)’, NewParadigm/Parity, The Australian Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Housing and Homelessness Edition, September: 50-3.

Muir, K., Fisher, K.R., Dadich, A., Abelló, D. and Bleasdale, M. (2007), Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Evaluation: Final Report, report for the NSW Department of Health, September, SPRC Report Series 10/07.

Fisher, K.R. (2007), Cost of Providing Specialist Disability Services and Communities Services in Queensland, Fair Level of Funding Research Plan, report for Disability Services Queensland, confidential.

Abelló, D. and Fisher, K.R. (2007), Integrated Rehabilitation and Recovery Care Program Work Plan (PDF), report for Department of Human Services Victoria, SPRC Report Series 5/08

Fisher, K.R. and Campbell-McLean, C. (2007), Attendant Care Direct Funding Pilot Project Evaluation Interim Report, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW, SPRC Report Series 11/07.

Fisher, K.R., Purcal, C. and Flaxman, S. (2007), Research Agenda for Younger People with Disabilities in Residential Aged Care, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW, confidential.

Fisher, K.R. and Parker, S. (2007), Effectiveness of Supported Living in Relation to Shared Accommodation Research Plan (PDF), report for Disability Policy and Research Working Group, December 2006, SPRC Report Series 6/07.

Fisher, K.R., Sawrikar, P., Katz, I., Parker, S. and Haas, M. (2007), Draft Evaluation Progress Report 1 Brighter Futures Early Intervention Program, report for NSW Department of Community Services, confidential

Fisher, K.R., Tudball, J. and Redmond, G. (2007), Research into the Service Needs of Residents in Private Residential Services Research Plan, report for Disability Services Queensland, confidential.

Fisher, K.R., Anderson, A. and Muir, K (2007), Attendant Care Direct Funding Pilot Project Evaluation Plan (PDF), report for NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, December 2006, SPRC Report Series 3/07.

Fisher, K.R. (2007), ‘Whose values shape social policy? Policy process limits to economic rationalism: Australian coordinated care policy 1994 to 2001’, PhD thesis, University of New South Wales,

Muir, K., Dadich, A., Abelló, D., Bleasdale, M. and Fisher, K.R. (2007), Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Evaluation: Report III (PDF), report for the NSW Department of Health, June 2006, SPRC Report Series 2/07. Summary Report (PDF).

Fisher, K.R., Everingham, S, Katz, S, Sawrikar, P, Parker, S, van Gool, K, Haas, M and Johnston, C (2006), Evaluation Plan Early Intervention Program, report for NSW Department of Community Services, July 2006, SPRC Report Series 13/06.

Morris, A., Fisher, K.R., Dadich, A., Muir, K., Abello, D., Norris, K., Bourne, C. and Martire, K (2006), Models of Centralised Intake and Waiting List Management Systems: Feasibility Report, report for the NSW Department of Health, April 2005, SPRC Report Series 12/06.

Morris, A., Fisher, K.R., Abello, D., Norris, K., Sutherland, K. and Yallop, S. (2006), Information Collection Systems in the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Issues Paper, report for the NSW Department of Health, 2005, SPRC Report Series 11/06. Appendices (PDF)

Muir, K., Dadich, A., Abelló, D., Bleasdale, M., Morris, A. and Fisher, K.R. (2006), Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative: Report II (PDF), report for NSW Department of Health, December 2005, SPRC Report Series 10/06. Summary (PDF).

Morris, A., Fisher, K.R., Abelló, D., Norris, K., Sutherland, K., Yallop, S., Dadich, A. and Muir, K. (2006), Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative, Evaluation Plan, report for the NSW Department of Health, February 2005, SPRC Report Series 8/06.

Thomson, C, valentine, k., Patulny, R. and Fisher, K.R. (2006), Understanding the Local Service Network (PDF), report for Families First Southeast Sydney, SPRC Report Series 6/06.

Thomson, C., Hoffmann, S., Fisher, K.R. and Turnbull, N. (2006), Families First Area Review South West Sydney (PDF), report for The Cabinet Office NSW, SPRC Report Series 5/06.

Thomson, C., valentine, k. and Fisher, K.R. (2006), Families First State Level Review (PDF), report for The Cabinet Office NSW, SPRC Report Series 4/06.

Thomson, C., valentine, k. Hoffmann, S. and Fisher, K.R. (2006), Families First Area Review Orana Far West (PDF), report for The Cabinet Office NSW, SPRC Report Series 3/06.

Thomson, C., valentine, k., Fisher, K.R. and Aggett, N. (2006), Families First Area Review Illawarra (PDF), report for The Cabinet Office NSW, SPRC Report Series 2/06.

Fisher, K.R., Thomson, C. and valentine, k. (2006), Families First Area Reviews Final Summary Report (PDF), report for The Cabinet Office NSW, SPRC Report Series 1/06.

Fisher, K.R., Thomson, C. and valentine, k. (2005), ‘Families First Area Review lessons’ (PDF), SPRC Newsletter, 89: 6-8,16.

Dolby, R, Thomson, C., Brown, J., Fisher, K.R., Cashmore, J. and Fernandez, E. (2005), Outcomes of Children’s Services as a Child Protection Strategy, preliminary report for NSW Department of Community Services, confidential.

Fisher, K.R., D. Abelló, S. Robinson, P. Siminski and L. Chenoweth (2005), Resident Support Evaluation Final Report (PDF), report for Disability Services Queensland, SPRC Report Series 2/05.

Affiliations and Memberships

Australasian Evaluation Society

Contributions

Official Visitor Mental Health NSW