Course Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Management

Thesis Title:  Client Service and Court Safety’

Supervisors: Professor Deborah Blackman (Chair) University of Canberra; Professor Debra Rickwood, University of Canberra; Professor David Tait, University of Western Sydney

Abstract:

The research examines the client service function in the Australian family law courts and its role in assisting court users that includes helping clients at risk of family violence to feel safer whilst at court. The study specifically examines the influence that service provider attitudes and work-related factors have on the performance of this role. This research is being undertaken with the support of the Family Court of Australia as part of a nationally funded industry study of court safety in four court systems in Australia and New Zealand. The study employs a mixed research methods approach with parallel confirmatory and exploratory strands. The study is currently at the thesis write up stage.

Short Bio :

Doug worked for 34 years in the public service in both Canada and Australia at the Federal and Territorial level with some 20 years of this spent as a human resource management practitioner, manager, Executive and consultant. Doug has been working since 2007as a sessional staff member of the Faculty of Business and Government, University of Canberra tutoring and lecturing in management and human resource management. Doug has two Masters Degrees, one in Business Administration and one in Human Resource Management as well as a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Bachelor of Commerce Degree.