Post Separation Parenting Seminar

7 November 2007
Victoria University

A one-day seminar hosted by the Roy McKenzie Centre and the Families Commission.
Key note speakers:

Robert E. Emery, Ph.D.
University of Virginia, USA

Robert Emery, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Virginia. He also is an associate faculty member in the Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy, and was Director of Clinical Training from 1993-2002. Dr. Emery's research focuses on family relationships and children's mental health, including parental conflict, divorce, child custody, family violence, and associated legal and policy issues.  His book, The Truth about Children and Divorce, was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award and Library of Virginia Literary Award in 2005. Dr. Emery is the author of over 100 scientific publications. He has served on the editorial board of eleven professional journals, and was a member of the Social Sciences and Population grant review study section of the National Institutes of Health.

Power point presentation by Dr Robert Emery

Dr Bruce Smyth
Australian National University

Bruce Smyth is Associate Professor at the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. Prior to his recent move to the ANU, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). Most recently, he and several AIFS colleagues have just published a large study of allegations of family violence and child abuse in family law children’s proceedings.

For further information please go to:
http://adsri.anu.edu.au/people/bruce.php

John Te Manihera Chadwick
Principal, Chadwick Law

John is of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Kahungunu, and Ngati Tama.  Based in Rotorua, John has over 30 years experience in practice.  He is currently the Convenor of the Maori Consultative Group to the Family Law Section Executive and most of his family work is as Counsel for the Child.

Dr Jeremy Robertson
Senior Research Fellow
Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families

Jeremy has previously worked on research at the Department of Justice, the Office of the Commissioner for Children, and the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the University of London.  This research has covered a range of topics, including Family Court Counselling, children’s adjustment to family change, Youth Justice, and Care and Protection.  His PhD research at the University of London investigated factors associated with step-fathers participation in parenting.

Dr Jan Pryor
Director of the McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families 

Jan’s research focuses on family transitions including separation, divorce, and stepfamily formation; and cohabitation and marriage.  She is co-author with Bryan Rodgers of the book ‘Children in Changing Families.  Life after Parental Separation’.  (Blackwell, 2001).

Bernie Holden
Senior Analyst, Ministry of Justice Speaker

Bernie Holden works as a Senior Analyst (Professional Services) in the Ministry of Justice national office. In her role she is responsible for the provision of support to the Family Court Jurisdiction by managing professional services.  One of the projects she is working on is the “Parenting Through Separation” information programme.  Bernie is a registered psychologist and has spent more than 15 years in the education sector including time as a primary teacher.