Dr Alan Campbell

Hi. I've been an academic since early 2004, when I began teaching in the School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University in Western Australian. Prior to that I was a practising psychologist, with a major focus on conflict resolution. I've worked at the Family Court of Western Australia, in adolescent mediation, in private practice and as CEO of a large mediation service in Melbourne. My PhD thesis, which I completed at the University of South Australia, looked at children's views of their involvement in decisions that directly affect them following family separation. I took up my present position with the University of South Australia in July 2007.

I have been an active participant in working in the broader community for positive change in the way in which we manage disputes and conflicts. From 1996 to 2001 I was a Board member of Family Services Australia, an Industry Representative Body that worked with Commonwealth-funded family services organisations to represent their interests in Canberra. Between 2001 and 2004 I was a member of the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC). That Council advises the Commonwealth Attorney General, Government and the community on issues relating to the use of alternative methods to litigation for resolving disputes.

• I'm interested in developing different teaching approaches and in finding positive ways to use technology to enhance the teaching process. When teaching, I try to engage students through the use of humour and references to examples of practice from my own and others' experiences.
• I'm new to some teaching techniques, such as on-line approaches and the use of technology. These alternatives to 'traditional' approaches to teaching interest me, however, and I'm working towards becoming more skilled at using a variety of approaches to imparting knowledge. I also think that we shouldn't underestimate what students bring to the learning environment; we need to draw on their knowledge and support their continuing development.
• I'm currently the coordinator of the School of Social Work and Social Policy Teaching and Learning Portfolio. This is an interesting and challenging role that I'm hoping will develop further over the next year or so.

Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)(Curtin University)

Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Curtin University)

Master of Psychology (Curtin University)

Graduate Certificate in Mediation (University of South Australia)

Doctor of Philosophy (University of South Australia)

• My research interests are diverse, but mostly related to children, parents and families. I remain involved in an evaluation study of the services offered at two Family Relationship Centres in Western Australia and am interested in the diversity of family structures that operate within Australia, including gay and lesbian parents and Aboriginal family structures.
• I'm also interested in researching the rights of children and young people and societal responses to the issue of children's rights. In particular, the rights of children to participate in decisions that affect them interest me intensely.
• Associated with rights for children are issues around their protection and adult responsibilities for them. I think these concerns warrant much more study.

Campbell, A., (1996) Mediation of Children Issues when One Parent is Gay: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Mediation Quarterly, 14(1), 79 – 88.

Campbell, A. (2002) Working with Children in Family Mediation. Psychotherapy in Australia, 8(4), 46 – 51.

Campbell, A. (2008). For their own good: Recruiting children for research. Childhood, 15(1), 30 - 49.

Campbell, A. (2008). The right to be heard: Australian children’s views about their involvement in decision-making following parental separation. Child care in Practice, 14 (3), 237 - 255.

Campbell, A. (2009). Creative peace building: Experiences from Bougainville. In D. Bagshaw & E. Porter (Eds.) Mediation in the Asia Pacific, Transforming Conflict and Building Peace. Routledge: London and New York.

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline: Social Work & Social Policy

• Issues around children's rights and their social position in Australian society.
• Family conflict, family law concerns
• Workplace conflicts and issues relating to worker health
• gay and lesbian issues, including parenting and identity