Emeritus Professor Leanne Dowse

Emeritus Professor Leanne Dowse

Emeritus Professor

PhD (UNSW), B. Sp Thy (Qld)

Arts,Design & Architecture
School of Social Sciences

Research

Leanne Dowse is Professor and Chair in Intellectual Disability and Behaviour Support [IDBS] at UNSW where she has been a researcher since 1995 and an academic since 2008. She has been a scholar, practitioner, supporter and ally in the area of intellectual disability since the beginning of her professional career as a Speech Therapist in the 1980s and has been involved in the development and promotion of disability studies in Australia beginning in the 1990s. Leanne has taught social policy, social research methods, disability studies, human behavior and criminology for the past two decades.

Her role as Chair IDBS, a joint initiative of UNSW and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (Ageing, Disability & Home Care) works to expand the body of knowledge and increase workforce capacity in the delivery of appropriate and effective services to people with an intellectual disability with complex needs including behaviours that challenge through a focus on training and education, enhanced policy and service models and targeted research. 

Leanne’s research and publications apply models of critical inquiry to the study of disability and in particular, intellectual or cognitive disability. Her work utilises a multidisciplinary approach to investigate social justice issues for people with complex needs. In particular her work addresses the intersections of disability with mental illness, acquired brain injury, homelessness, social isolation, early life disadvantage, experience of out of home care, substance misuse and violence. Her work is particularly concerned with the ways these intersect for Indigenous Australians with intellectual disability, for women with disabilities, those in the criminal justice system, and people with complex behaviour support needs.

Leanne has been and is chief investigator on a number of major Australian Research Council, NHMRC, and Federal and NSW government funded grants over the past 10 years.

Leanne is a member of the Editorial Board for Journal on Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

She is a founding member of the Australian's for Disability Justice Campaign and serves on a range of NSW and Federal government advisory bodies.

Phone
+61 (2) 9385 8090
Location
220 Morven Brown
  • Book Chapters | 2023
    Rowe S; Dowse L, 2023, 'Disability, race, and the carcerai state: Toward an inclusive decolonial abolition', in The Routledge International Handbook on Decolonizing Justice, pp. 268 - 278, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003176619-28
    Book Chapters | 2023
    Rowe S; Dowse L, 2023, 'Disability, race, and the carceral state', in The Routledge International Handbook on Decolonizing Justice, Routledge, pp. 268 - 278, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003176619-28
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Rowe S; Dowse L, 2021, 'Enabling Penal Abolitionism: The Need for Reciprocal Dialogue Between Critical Disability Studies and Penal Abolitionism', in Coyle MJ; Scott D (ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Penal Abolition, Routledge, pp. 206 - 216, https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-International-Handbook-of-Penal-Abolition/Coyle-Scott/p/book/9781138354098
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Rowe S; Dowse L, 2021, 'Enabling penal abolitionism', in The Routledge International Handbook of Penal Abolition, Routledge, pp. 206 - 216, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780429425035-33
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Dowse L, 2019, 'Worlds apart and still no closer to justice: Recognition and redress in gendered disability violence', in Practical Justice: Principles, Practice and Social Change, pp. 38 - 53, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351010498
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Dowse L, 2018, 'Disruptive, dangerous and disturbing: the ‘challenge’ of behaviour in the construction of normalcy and vulnerability', in Normality and Disability, Routledge, pp. 111 - 121, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203731741-10
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Smith L; Dowse L, 2018, 'Complexity and disability: Drawing from a complexity approach to think through disability at the intersections', in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Disability: Looking Towards the Future: Volume 2, pp. 123 - 130, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351053228-12
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Smith L; Dowse L, 2018, 'Complexity and disability: drawing from a complexity approach to think through disability at the intersections.', in Ellis K; Garland-Thompson R; Kent M; Robertson R (ed.), Interdisciplinary Approaches to Disability., Routledge, London, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351053228
    Book Chapters | 2017
    Smith LE; Dowse L; Soldatic K; Kent M, 2017, 'Developing a MOOC: Factoring in disability', in Bennet R; Kent M (ed.), Massive Open Online Courses and Higher Education: What went right, what went wrong, where to next?, Routledge, New York, pp. 123 - 134, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315594248
    Book Chapters | 2016
    Didi A; Frohmader C; Dowse LM, 2016, 'Violence Against Disabled Women in the Global South: Working Locally, Acting Globally', in Soldatic K; Grech S (ed.), Disability in the Global South The Critical Handbook, Springer, Switzerland, pp. 323 - 336, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42488-0
    Book Chapters | 2016
    Dowse L; Frohmader C; Didi A, 2016, 'Violence Against Disabled Women in the Global South: Working Locally, Acting Globally', in Disability in the Global South, Springer International Publishing, pp. 323 - 336, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42488-0_20
    Book Chapters | 2016
    Dowse LM; Wiese M, 2016, 'Cognitive Disability and Complex Support Needs: Challenges in the National Disability Insurance Scheme', in Moore E (ed.), Case management for community practice: A textbook for students and practitioners, edn. 2nd, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic., pp. 417 - 437
    Book Chapters | 2013
    BALDRY E; DOWSE L, 2013, '- Compounding Mental and Cognitive Disability and Disadvantage: Police as Care Managers', in Policing and the Mentally Ill, Taylor & Francis, pp. 258 - 273, http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/b14853-17
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Baldry E; Dowse LM, 2013, 'Compounding mental and cognitive disability and disadvantage: Police as care managers', in Chappell D (ed.), Policing and the Mentally Ill: International perspectives, edn. Advances in Police Theory and Practice, CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 219 - 234, http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439881163
    Book Chapters | 2010
    Dowse LM; Frohmader C; Meekosha H, 2010, 'Intersectionality: Disabled Women', in Easteal P (ed.), Women and the Law in Australia, edn. 1st, LexisNexis Butterworths, Chatswood, pp. 249 - 268
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Strnadová I; Danker J; Dowse L; Tso M, 2023, 'Supporting students with disability to improve academic, social and emotional, and self-determination and life-skills outcomes: umbrella review of evidence-based practices', International Journal of Inclusive Education, pp. 1 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2023.2221239
    Journal articles | 2023
    Strnadová I; Dowse L; Lowe K; Danker J; Angelina Willow S; Tso M; Xavier A, 2023, 'Primary to high school transition planning for students with disability: A systematic review', International Journal of Educational Research, 120, pp. 102188 - 102188, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102188
    Journal articles | 2023
    Strnadová I; Eacott S; Danker J; Dowse L; Lenne B; Alonzo D; Tso M; Loblinzk J, 2023, 'Leading schools for specific purposes: a relational analysis of provision', Journal of Educational Administration and History, 55, pp. 146 - 164, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2022.2101989
    Journal articles | 2023
    Trofimovs J; Dowse L; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN, 2023, 'Impact of post-release community mental health and disability support on reincarceration for prisoners with intellectual disability and serious mental illness in NSW, Australia', BJPsych Open, 9, pp. e44, http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.9
    Journal articles | 2022
    Cumming TM; Strnadová I; Boaden N; Dew A; Athanassiou U; Dowse L, 2022, 'Policy Context for Transitions to Adulthood Experienced by Young People with Complex Support Needs: Australian Federal and State Perspectives', Child and Youth Services, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2022.2134111
    Journal articles | 2022
    Dowse L, 2022, 'Commentary on “Connecting Tasmanian National Disability Insurance Scheme participants with allied health services: challenges and strategies of support coordinators” (Jessup & Bridgman, 2021)', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 9, pp. 134 - 138, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2021.2018353
    Journal articles | 2022
    McCausland R; Dowse L, 2022, 'From ‘at risk’ to ‘a risk’: The criminalisation of young people with cognitive disability in residential care', Incarceration, 3, pp. 263266632110216 - 263266632110216, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/26326663211021687
    Journal articles | 2022
    Rowe S; Dowse L; Baker M; Baldry E, 2022, 'Policing disability: alliance building, police divestment and community investment', Current Issues in Criminal Justice, pp. 1 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10345329.2022.2029084
    Journal articles | 2022
    Trofimovs J; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN; Dowse L, 2022, 'Disability support and reincarceration after a first adult prison custody episode for people with intellectual disability in New South Wales, Australia', Journal of Criminology, 55, pp. 239 - 259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/26338076221087461
    Journal articles | 2021
    Collings S; Dew A; Dowse L, 2021, '‘Testing it in the real world’: Using action research to apply a conceptual framework to social care planning', Action Research, 19, pp. 203 - 217, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476750318761534
    Journal articles | 2021
    Trofimovs J; Dowse L; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN, 2021, 'Using linked administrative data to determine the prevalence of intellectual disability in adult prison in New South Wales, Australia', Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 65, pp. 589 - 600, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.12836
    Journal articles | 2020
    Athanassiou U; Cale J; Dowse L, 2020, 'A descriptive study of sex offending among incarcerated men with low intellectual functioning: offending parameters and sex offence characteristics in adulthood', Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 32, pp. 76 - 90, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10345329.2019.1653421
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dowse L; Dillon-Savage I; Dew A; Strnadová I, 2020, 'Integrated responses for people with cognitive disability and complex support needs: Factors and principles', Evidence Base, 2020, pp. 10 - 61, http://dx.doi.org/10.21307/eb-2020-002
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dowse L, 2020, 'Commentary on “Supporting people with cognitive disabilities in contact with the criminal justice system: the importance of relationship-based practice” (Ellem, 2019)', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 7, pp. 93 - 98, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2020.1753232
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dreyfus S; Dowse L, 2020, 'Experiences of parents who support a family member with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour: “This is what I deal with every single day”', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 45, pp. 12 - 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2018.1510117
    Journal articles | 2020
    Ellem K; Smith L; Baidawi S; McGhee A; Dowse L, 2020, 'Transcending the Professional–Client Divide: Supporting Young People with Complex Support Needs Through Transitions', Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 37, pp. 109 - 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10560-020-00651-x
    Journal articles | 2020
    McCausland R; Dowse L, 2020, 'The need for a community-led, holistic service response to Aboriginal young people with cognitive disability in remote areas: A case study', Children Australia, 45, pp. 326 - 334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cha.2020.49
    Journal articles | 2020
    Meltzer A; Dowse L; Smith L; Dew A, 2020, 'A framework for interconnected benefits of peer support for family members of people with disability', Australian Journal of Social Issues, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.130
    Journal articles | 2020
    Rowe S; Dowse L; Newton D; McGillivray J; Baldry E, 2020, 'Addressing Education, Training, and Employment Supports for Prisoners With Cognitive Disability: Insights from an Australian Programme', Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 17, pp. 43 - 50, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12321
    Journal articles | 2020
    Spivakovsky C; Steele L; Dowse L, 2020, 'Commentary on “Legitimacy and ambiguity: Institutional logics and their outcome for people with intellectual disabilities” (Ineland, 2020)', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 7, pp. 69 - 74, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2020.1758201
    Journal articles | 2019
    Collings S; Dew A; Dowse L, 2019, 'They need to be able to have walked in our shoes: What people with intellectual disability say about National Disability Insurance Scheme planning', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 44, pp. 1 - 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2017.128788710.3109/13668250.2017.1287887
    Journal articles | 2019
    Dew A; Collings S; Dillon Savage I; Gentle E; Dowse L, 2019, '“Living the life I want”: A framework for planning engagement with people with intellectual disability and complex support needs', Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32, pp. 401 - 412, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12538
    Journal articles | 2019
    Dew A; Collings S; Dowse L; Meltzer A; Smith L, 2019, '‘I don’t feel like I’m in this on my own’: Peer support for mothers of children with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour', Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 23, pp. 344 - 358, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744629519843012
    Journal articles | 2019
    Dew A; Vaughan P; McEntyre E; Dowse L, 2019, ''Our ways to planning': Preparing organisations to plan with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability', Australian Aboriginal Studies, 2, pp. 3 - 18, https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=807372348968731;res=IELIND
    Journal articles | 2019
    Dowse L; Dew A; Sewell A, 2019, 'Background paper for ASID position statement on intellectual disability and complex support needs', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 6, pp. 5 - 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2019.1594347
    Journal articles | 2019
    Ellem K; Baidawi S; Dowse L; Smith L, 2019, 'Services to young people with complex support needs in rural and regional Australia: Beyond a metro-centric response', Children and Youth Services Review, 99, pp. 97 - 106, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.01.033
    Journal articles | 2019
    Gordon T; Dew A; Dowse L, 2019, 'Listen, learn, build, deliver? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy in the National Disability Insurance Scheme', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 54, pp. 224 - 244, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.73
    Journal articles | 2019
    Reppermund S; Heintze T; Srasuebkul P; Reeve R; Dean K; Smith M; Emerson E; Snoyman P; Baldry E; Dowse L; Szanto T; Sara G; Florio T; Johnson A; Clements M; McKenzie K; Trollor J, 2019, 'Health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disability in New South Wales, Australia: A data linkage cohort', BMJ Open, 9, pp. e031624, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031624
    Journal articles | 2019
    Smith L; Dowse L, 2019, 'Times during transition for young people with complex support needs: entangled critical moments, static liminal periods and contingent meaning making times', Journal of Youth Studies, 22, pp. 1327 - 1344, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2019.1575346
    Journal articles | 2018
    Collings S; Dew A; Dowse L, 2018, 'Unpacking the complexity of planning with persons with cognitive disability and complex support needs', Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31, pp. 142 - 151, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12381
    Journal articles | 2018
    Collings S; Dew A; Gordon T; Spencer M; Dowse L, 2018, 'Intersectional disadvantage: Exploring differences between aboriginal and non-aboriginal parents with intellectual disability in the New South Wales child protection system', Journal of Public Child Welfare, 12, pp. 170 - 189, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2017.1379456
    Journal articles | 2018
    Collings S; Spencer M; Dew A; Dowse L, 2018, '‘She was there if I needed to talk or to try and get my point across’: specialist advocacy for parents with intellectual disability in the Australian child protection system', Australian Journal of Human Rights, 24, pp. 162 - 181, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2018.1478595
    Journal articles | 2018
    Dew A; Dowse L; Athanassiou U; Trollor J, 2018, 'Current Representation of People With Intellectual Disability in Australian Mental Health Policy: The Need for Inclusive Policy Development', Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 15, pp. 136 - 144, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12239
    Journal articles | 2018
    Didi A; Dowse L; Smith L, 2018, 'Intellectual disability and complex support needs: Human rights perspective for policy and practice', International Journal of Human Rights, 22, pp. 989 - 1006, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2018.1485653
    Journal articles | 2018
    Reppermund S; Dowse L; Dew A; Trollor J, 2018, 'Representation of people with intellectual disability in Australian mental health policy', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52, pp. 618 - 619, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004867418773882
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dowse L, 2017, 'Disruptive, dangerous and disturbing: the ‘challenge’ of behaviour in the construction of normalcy and vulnerability', Continuum, 31, pp. 447 - 457, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2016.1275148
    Journal articles | 2017
    Reppermund S; Srasuebkul P; Heintze T; Reeve R; Dean K; Emerson E; Coyne D; Snoyman P; Baldry E; Dowse L; Szanto T; Sara G; Florio T; Trollor JN, 2017, 'Cohort profile: A data linkage cohort to examine health service profiles of people with intellectual disability in New South Wales, Australia', BMJ Open, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015627
    Journal articles | 2016
    Baldry E; McCausland R; Dowse L; McEntyre E; MacGillivray P, 2016, '‘It’s just a big vicious cycle that swallows them up': Indigenous people with mental and cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system', Indigenous Law Bulletin, 8, pp. 10 - 16
    Journal articles | 2016
    Collings SE; Dew A; Dowse L, 2016, 'Support Planning for people with intellectual disability and complex support needs in the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41, pp. 1 - 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2016.1151864
    Journal articles | 2016
    Didi AM; Soldatic K; Frohmader C; Dowse LM, 2016, 'Violence against women with disabilities: Is Australia meeting its human rights obligations?', Australian Journal of Human Rights, 22, pp. 159 - 177, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323-238X.2016.11882162
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dowse L; Dew A, 2016, 'Commentary by Leanne Dowse and Angela Dew on “Reducing the Inequality of Luck: Keynote Address at the 2015 Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability National Conference” (Bonyhady, 2016)', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 3, pp. 129 - 133, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2016.1220262
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dowse L; Soldatic K; Spangaro J; Van Toorn G, 2016, 'Mind the gap: The extent of violence against women with disabilities in Australia: The', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 51, pp. 341 - 359, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2016.tb01235.x
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dowse L; Wiese M; Dew A; Smith L; Collings S; Didi A, 2016, 'More, better, or different? NDIS workforce planning for people with intellectual disability and complex support needs', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41, pp. 81 - 84, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2015.1125868
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dowse L; Wiese M; Smith L, 2016, 'Workforce issues in the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme: Complex support needs ready?', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 3, pp. 54 - 64, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2016.1161542
    Journal articles | 2016
    Dowse LM; Steele L, 2016, 'Gender, Disability Rights and Violence Against Medical Bodies.', Australian Feminist Studies, 31, pp. 187 - 202, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164649.2016.1224054
    Journal articles | 2016
    Steele LR; Dowse LM; Trofimovs J, 2016, 'Who is Diverted?: Moving Beyond Diagnosed Impairment Towards a Social and Political Analysis of Diversion', The Sydney Law Review, 38, pp. 181 - 210
    Journal articles | 2016
    Van Toorn G; Dowse L, 2016, 'Policy claims and problem frames: A cross-case comparison of evidence-based policy in an Australian context', Evidence and Policy, 12, pp. 9 - 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/174426415X14253873124330
    Journal articles | 2014
    Cumming T; Strnadova I; Dowse L, 2014, 'At-Risk Youth in Australian Schools and Promising Models of Intervention', International Journal of Special Education, 29, pp. 16 - 25, http://www.internationaljournalofspecialeducation.com/issues.cfm
    Journal articles | 2014
    Cumming TM; Strnadova I; Dowse L, 2014, 'AT-RISK YOUTH IN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS AND PROMISING MODELS OF INTERVENTION', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, 29, pp. 16 - 25, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000215056800002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dowse L; Cumming TM; Strnadová I; Lee JS; Trofimovs J, 2014, 'Young People with Complex Needs in the Criminal Justice System', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1, pp. 1 - 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2014.953671
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dowse L, 2014, 'Intellectual disability. An inability to cope with an intellectually demanding world', Disability & Society, 29, pp. 1498 - 1501, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2014.931645
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dowse L, 2014, 'Preventing the Emotional Abuse and Neglect of People with Intellectual Disability: Stopping Insult and Injury', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1, pp. 86 - 87, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2014.902728
    Journal articles | 2014
    Soldatic K; van Toorn G; Dowse L; Muir K, 2014, 'Intellectual Disability and Complex Intersections: Marginalisation under the National Disability Insurance Scheme', Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1, pp. 6 - 16, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2014.906050
    Journal articles | 2014
    Trofimovs J; Dowse L, 2014, 'Mental health at the intersections: The impact of complex needs on police contact and custody for Indigenous Australian men', International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 37, pp. 390 - 398, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2014.02.010
    Journal articles | 2013
    Baldry E; Clarence M; Dowse L; Trollor J, 2013, 'Reducing vulnerability to harm in adults with cognitive disabilities in the Australian criminal justice system', Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disability, 10, pp. 222 - 229, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12039
    Journal articles | 2012
    Darcy S; Dowse LM, 2012, 'In search of a level playing field – the constraints and benefits of sport participation for people with intellectual disability', Disability and Society, 28, pp. 393 - 407, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.714258
    Journal articles | 2009
    Dowse LM; Baldry E; Snoyman P, 2009, 'Disabling criminology: conceptualizing the intersections of critical disability studies and critical criminology for people with mental health and cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system', Australian Journal of Human Rights, 15, pp. 29 - 46, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2009.11910860
    Journal articles | 2009
    Dowse LM, 2009, '`Some people are never going to be able to do that`. Challenges for people with intellectual disability in the 21st century', Disability and Society, 24, pp. 571 - 584, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687590903010933
    Journal articles | 2009
    Dowse LM, 2009, '‘It’s like being in a zoo.’ Researching with People with Intellectual Disability,', Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 9, pp. 141 - 153, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-3802.2009.01131.x
    Journal articles | 2007
    Meekosha H; Dowse LM, 2007, 'Integrating Critical Disability Studies into Social Work Education and Practice: An Australian Perspective', Practice, 19, pp. 169 - 183
    Journal articles | 2006
    Baldry E; Dowse LM, 2006, 'People with mental health disorders in the criminal justice system', New Paradigm, June 2006, pp. 9 - 21
    Journal articles | 2001
    Dowse L, 2001, 'Contesting Practices, Challenging Codes: Self advocacy, disability politics and the social model', Disability and Society, 16, pp. 123 - 141
    Journal articles | 2001
    Dowse LM, 2001, 'Contesting Practices, Challenging codes: Self Advocacy, Disability Politics and the Social Model', Disability and Society, 16, pp. 123 - 141, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/713662036
    Journal articles | 1998
    Shaddock AJ; Dowse L; Richards H; Spinks AT, 1998, 'Communicating with people with an intellectual disability in Guardianship Board hearings: An exploratory study', Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 23, pp. 279 - 293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13668259800033771
    Journal articles | 1997
    Meekosha H; Dowse L, 1997, 'Distorting Images, Invisible Images', Media International Australia, 84, pp. 91 - 101, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1329878x9708400114
    Journal articles | 1997
    Meekosha H; Dowse LM, 1997, 'Distorting Images, Invisible Images: Gender, Disability and the Media`', Media International Australia, 84, pp. 91 - 101
    Journal articles | 1997
    Meekosha H; Dowse LM, 1997, 'Enabling citizenship: Gender, disability and citizenship`', Feminist Review, 57, pp. 49 - 72, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/014177897339650
    Journal articles | 1997
    Meekosha H; Jakubowicz A; Dowse LM, 1997, 'Exposing Mass Culture to Disability Issues`', Accessing Creative Expression, pp. 8 - 9
    Journal articles | 1995
    Rawlings M; Dowse L; Shaddock A, 1995, 'Increasing the Involvement of People with an Intellectual Disability in Choice Making Situations: A Practical Approach', International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 42, pp. 137 - 153, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0156655950420205
    Journal articles | 1994
    Zilber D; Shaddock A; Dowse L; Rawlings M; Guggenheimer S; Browne F, 1994, 'Communication Patterns in Services for People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities: Function, Form and Responsiveness', Australian Journal of Human Communication Disorders, 22, pp. 85 - 98, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/asl2.1994.22.issue-1.06
    Journal articles | 1993
    Shaddock A; Zilber D; Guggenheimer S; Dowse L; Bennett M; Browne F, 1993, 'Opportunities for choice in day programs for adults with severe intellectual disabilities', Australasian Journal of Special Education, 17, pp. 48 - 56, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1030011930170108
    Journal articles | 1993
    Shaddock AJ; Zilber D; Guggenheimer S; Dowse L; Bennett M; Browne F, 1993, 'Opportunities for choice in day programs for adults with severe intellectual disabilities', Australasian Journal of Special Education, 17, pp. 48 - 56, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1030011200022764
  • Working Papers | 2016
    Butler T; Haikerwal M; Schofield P; Dowse L; Withall A; Turnbull T; Cations M; Simpson MA, 2016, Linking health and justice data: Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Data Availability and Use, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Offender Health, Kirby Institute, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org
  • Reports | 2021
    Rowe S; Dowse L; Baldry E; Baker M, 2021, Police responses to people with disability, Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2021-10/apo-nid314892.pdf
    Reports | 2020
    Dowse L; Cronin P; Reeve R; Addo R, 2020, Dowse, L., Cronin, P., Reeve, R. and Addo, R. (2020) Economic evaluation of the impact of speech pathology services on criminal justice outcomes. UNSW Sydney., https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Advocacy/Economic_modelling/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Advocacy/Economic_modelling.aspx?hkey=64b79202-4cf4-4a42-8f0a-9a09265ad759
    Reports | 2018
    Baldry E; Bright D; Cale J; Day A; Dowse L; Giles M; Hardcastle L; Graffam J; McGillivray J; Newton D; Rowe SD; Wodak J, 2018, A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison Final Report, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/5b4fd2de5cfb4
    Reports | 2018
    Hardcastle L; Dowse L; McGillivray J; Newton D; Rowe SD; Crosbie J; Giles M, 2018, A qualitative study of the experiences of ex-prisoners who are seeking employment, the experiences of practitioners who work with ex-prisoners who are seeking employment and models of practice used, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/5b4fd5e63e8c6
    Reports | 2018
    Meltzer A; Dew A; Dowse L; Dillon Savage I, 2018, Team Up Evaluation Final Report - Easy Read version, UNSW Sydney, Sydney
    Reports | 2018
    Meltzer A; Dew A; Dowse LM; Dillon Savage I, 2018, Team Up Evaluation Final Report, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/5b5e6cf007ed1
    Reports | 2017
    Collings SE; Dew A; Dowse L; Cooney E, 2017, Evaluation of Project RE PIN: Receive, Encode, Process and INtegrate drug and alcohol treatment strategies for people with cognitive impairment. Final Report, Sydney: UNSW Sydney.
    Reports | 2017
    Dowse LM; Rowe S; McGillivray J; Newton D, 2017, Education, Training and Employment for Prisoners with Cognitive Disabilities: A Case Study, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.4225/53/59f1236338e46
    Reports | 2017
    Reeve R; McCausland R; Dowse L; Trofimovs J, 2017, Economic Evaluation of the Intellectual Disability Rights Service Criminal Justice Support Network, Intellectual Disability Behaviour Support Program, UNSW Sydney, https://idrs.org.au/site18/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Economic-Evaluation-of-Criminal-Justice-Support-Network_2017.pdf
    Reports | 2016
    Collings S; Dew AH; Dowse L, 2016, Being a Planner with a Person with Disability and Complex Support Needs: Planning resource kit, NSW Department of Family and Community Services, http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/UNSWORKS:unsworks_search_scope:unsworks_modsunsworks_38962
    Reports | 2016
    Dew AH; Dowse L; Athanassiou U; Trollor J, 2016, Making Mental Health Policy Inclusive of People with Intellectual Disability Report
    Reports | 2015
    Baldry E; McCausland R; Dowse L; McEntyre E, 2015, A Predictable and Preventable path: Aboriginal People with mental and cognitive disability in the criminal justice system, UNSW, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3457.2240, https://www.mhdcd.unsw.edu.au/
    Reports | 2015
    Collings S; Dew AH; Dowse L, 2015, The Support Planning Framework Project: Final Report, UNSW Sydney, Sydney
    Reports | 2013
    Dowse LM; Soldatic K; Did A; van Toorn G, 2013, Stop the Violence: Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities in Australia. Background Paper, Women with Disabilities Australia, http://www.stvp.org.au/
    Reports | 2013
    Dowse LM; Soldatic K; Did A; van Toorn G, 2013, Stop the Violence: Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities in Australia. Background Paper, Women with Disabilities Australia, http://www.stvp.org.au/
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Baldry E; Clarence M; Dowse LM; Snoyman P, 2009, 'Patterns of Involvement of People with Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disabilities in the NSW Criminal Justice System', presented at Disability Studies Conference, UNSW, 26 June 2009 - 27 June 2009
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Baldry E; Dowse LM; Clarence M; Snoyman P, 2009, 'New Directions in Disability Studies and Offending', presented at Disability Studies Conference, UNSW, 26 June 2009 - 27 June 2009
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Baldry E; Dowse LM; Snoyman P; Clarence M; Webster IW, 2008, 'A critical perspective on Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disability in the Criminal Justice System', in Proceedings of the 2nd Australia and New Zealand Critical Criminology Conference, 2nd ANZ Critical Criminology Conference, Sydney, presented at 2nd ANZ Critical Criminology Conference, Sydney, 19 June 2008 - 20 June 2008
    Conference Papers | 2006
    Baldry E; Dowse LM, 2006, 'People with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System', in Partnerships toward recovery Mental Health Conference 2006. Vicserv Richmond Fellowship ASPAC, Partnerships toward recovery Mental Health Conference 2006. Vicserv Richmond Fellowship ASPAC, Melbourne, presented at Partnerships toward recovery Mental Health Conference 2006. Vicserv Richmond Fellowship ASPAC, Melbourne, 26 April 2006 - 28 April 2006
    Conference Papers | 2006
    Baldry E; Dowse LM, 2006, 'People with Mental Health disorders in the Criminal Justice System', in Vicserve Richmond Fellowship ASPAC Conference, Partnerships toward recovery Mental Health Conference 2006. Vicserv Richmond Fellowship ASPAC, Melbourne, presented at Partnerships toward recovery Mental Health Conference 2006. Vicserv Richmond Fellowship ASPAC, Melbourne, 26 April 2006 - 28 April 2006
    Reports | 2003
    Tudball J; Fisher KR; Sands T; Dowse LM, 2003, Supporting families who have a child with a disability, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Supporting families who have a child with a disability
    Conference Papers | 2001
    Dowse LM; McAlpine R; Strike J, 2001, 'From Recognition to Representation: critical issues for self advocacy by people with intellectual disability in Australia', in Disability with Attitude: Critical Issues 20 years after international year of disabled persons, Disability with Attitude: Critical Issues 20 years after international year of disabled persons, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus, Sydney, presented at Disability with Attitude: Critical Issues 20 years after international year of disabled persons, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus, Sydney, 16 February 2001 - 17 February 2001
    Conference Papers | 2000
    Wearing MJ; Dowse LM, 2000, 'Risk in practice, risk in theory: lUlrich Beck and the sub-politics of welfare', in TASA 2000 Conference, TASA 2000 Conference, Adelaide, Sth Aust, presented at TASA 2000 Conference, Adelaide, Sth Aust, 06 December 2000 - 08 December 2000

Dean’s Award for Research Society Impact 2014 for the Stop the Violence, Stop the Silence: Addressing Violence for Women with Disabilities Project.

Leanne’s research and publications apply models of critical inquiry to the study of disability and in particular, intellectual or cognitive disability. Her work utilises a multidisciplinary approach to investigate social justice issues for people with complex needs. In particular her work addresses the intersections of disability with mental illness, acquired brain injury, homelessness, social isolation, early life disadvantage, experience of out of home care, substance misuse and violence. Her work is particularly concerned with the ways these intersect for Indigenous Australians with intellectual disability, for women with disabilities, those in the criminal justice system, and people with complex behaviour support needs.

Leanne has been and is chief investigator on a number of major Australian Research Council, NHMRC, and Federal and NSW government funded grants over the past 10 years.

Leanne is a member of the Editorial Board for Journal on Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

She serves as a member of the NSW Government Justice Disability Advisory Council, is a founding member of the Aboriginal Disability Justice Campaign and serves on a range of NSW and Federal government advisory bodies.

Research Areas

Intellectual disability; Disability, Gender and Violence; Complex behaviour support; Complex needs; Criminal justice;  Social research methodology; Social policy, Social justice. 

Current Research Projects

Lost in Transition: Supporting Young People with Complex Support Needs Project. An ARC Linkage Project grant with A/Prof Philip Mendes (Monash), A/Prof Pamela Snow (Latrobe), A/Prof Iva (UNSW), Dr Therese Cumming (UNSW), Dr Jung-Sook Lee (UNSW), Dr Kathleen Ellem (QUT), Dr Louisa Smith (UNSW) and Ms Amanda Jones (Berry Street, VIC) focusing on improving the lives of young people with complex support needs experiencing overlapping forms of disadvantage and exploring best practice transition supports and how to track these transitions using existing data. 

Selected Completed Projects

PEOPle Project: A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison. An ARC Linkage Project grant with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW), David Bright (UNSW), Jesse Cale (UNSW), Jo Graffam (Deakin), Jane McGillivray (Deakin), Margaret Giles (Edith Cowan) and Andrew Day focusing on the relationship between ex-prisoners’ engagement in meaningful work; reductions in re-offending; and improvements in wellbeing.

Improving the Mental Health Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disability: An NHMRC Partnership Grant with A/Prof Julian Trollor, Prof Eric Emerson, Prof Rhoshel Lenroot, Associate Professor Karen Fisher, A/Prof Julia Johnson and A/Prof Kimberlie Dean.

Safeguarding Conversations in Planning: A NSW FaCS funded project to develop a practical resource that supports people with disability and complex support needs and their informal supporters (including family and others who assist the person) to lead a conversation about implementing a safe and sustainable plan. 

Behaviour support for people with intellectual disability  in a disability services future: A NSW FaCS funded project to develop knowledge on the issues relevant to the provision of responsive and effective behaviour support.

A Practice Guide for the use of Psychotropic Medication and Behaviour Support: A NSW FaCS funded, practitioner focussed action research project to develop a practice guide that provides clear guidelines for Behaviour Support Practitioners to guide collaborative service delivery with prescribing physicians to enable better outcomes for persons with disability who are prescribed routine and or PRN psychotropic mediation. 

A Practice guide for services to develop and implement a system for effective case review: A NSW FaCS funded, practitioner focussed, action research project to develop a practice guide for effective case review to assist service providers to implement a systemic response to  emerging or actual risk and vulnerability for people with intellectual disability and complex support needs.

Cognitive Disability and Sex Offending - with Dr Jesse Cale (UNSW): A project examining the profiles and treatment targets for individuals with cognitive disabilities and complex needs who have been charged with sex offences in order to suggest new approaches to support and intervention to prevent such offending. 

Supported decision making project, Phase 2 Evaluation: A FACS, NSW Trustee and Guardian and the Public Guardian funded project with SPRC - Kelley Johnson (UNSW), Rosemary Kayess (UNSW), Christiane Purcal (UNSW), Jane Bullen (UNSW) and Pip Hoskins (UNSW) to evaluate a supported decision making program creating a supportive infrastructure that builds a clearer, firmer pathway out of financial management so that people with disability take greater responsibility for their own financial decision-making within the legislative framework of the NSW Trustee and Guardian Act 2009.

Learning About Disability Online - with Louisa Smith (UNSW): A study exploroing the motivation and effectiveness of inclusive teaching and learning strategies and changes in student attitudes towards disability in two types of online courses about disability, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and an undergraduate course. 

Support Planning Framework Project: A NSW FACS funded project to strengthen existing good practice and provide guidance for engaging a person with complex support needs in planning.   

Indigenous Australians with Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System: An ARC Linkage Project grant, with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW), Professor Patrick Dodson and Associate Professor Julian Trollor (UNSW). Project focuses on building a picture of the coalescence of multiple diagnoses, heightened vulnerabilities, complex support needs and simultaneous interventions for Indigenous persons. Experiences and opinions of this group and specialist support and community leaders identify appropriate conceptualisations and interventions.

Gender, Violence and Disability: Developing a methodology to explore prevalence and impact. With Dr Karen Soldatic (UNSW), Dr Jo Spangaro (UNSW) and Carolyn Frohmader (WWDA) as co-investigators.  Project focuses the spatial differentiation of violence against women with disabilities in Australia.

People with Complex Needs who are the Victims of Crime: Building evidence for responsive support. A NSW Attorney General and Justice Victims of Crime Research Fund project undertaken with A/Prof Kimberlie Dean (UNSW) focusing on the experiences of people with complex needs who are the victims of crime and exploring appropriate models of support.

Stop The Violence, Stop the Silence: Improving Service Delivery for Women with Disabilities: Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services with Dr Karen Soldatic (UNSW) in collaboration with Women with Disabilities Australia and People with Disabilities Australia. Project focused on legislative, policy and service practice models to support women with disabilities experiencing violence, abuse and exploitation.

Young People with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System: Leanne is Chief Investigator on a UNSW FASS Faculty Research Grant exploring patterns of involvement and frameworks of intervention with Dr Jung-Sook Lee (UNSW), Dr Iva Strnadova (UNSW) and Dr Terry Cumming (UNSW).

Policy relevance of the NDIS proposed system to disabled people from marginalized groups: UNSW FASS Collaborative Research Scheme with Dr Karen Soldatic

Mental Health Frequent Presenters at Emergency Services in NSW: NSW Department of Health Research Grant (2010/2011) with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW). This project identified the number and characteristics of persons who are frequent presenters to mental health, police and ambulance services, in order to allow the development of appropriate service models for this group.

Lifecourse institutional costs of homelessness for vulnerable groups: Funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)/National Homelessness Research Grant (2010/11) with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW). Utilising merged data on a cohort of individuals with mental health, cognitive disability and complex needs including homelessness who have been in prison in NSW the project explored the lifelong costs to the person, government and community of addressing (or not) the needs of these most vulnerable homeless persons.

Researching people with problematic alcohol consumption and mental health and cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system: Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation grant, with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW) (2010/11).

People with acquired brain injury in the criminal justice system in NSW: Contracted research for Brain Injury NSW, with Prof Eileen Baldry (UNSW) (2010/11).

People with Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disability in the Criminal Justice System: ARC Linkage research grant, with Prof Eileen Baldry and Emeritus Prof Ian Webster (2006-2009).

Investigating intellectual and cognitive disability in the criminal justice system in NSW: NSW Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care grant with Prof Eileen Baldry(2009/10).

People with Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System – Impact of Housing NSW interventions and contacts with social housing system: Contracted research for NSW Housing with Prof Eileen Baldry (2009/10)

Exploring the intersections between ageing and disability in theory, policy and practice: UNSW Faculty Research Grant with Dr Shannon McDermott (UNSW) (2009).

Affiliations and Memberships

  • Member Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability
  • Member (Associate) Women with Disabilities Australia
  • Member (Associate) Self Advocacy Sydney
  • Leanne is a member of the Editorial Board for Journal on Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

My Research Supervision

Current PhD Supervision

  • Simone Rowe - The experiences of people with cognitive disability who come into contact with the criminal justice system
  • Jane Adams - The ‘value’ in the network: How parents of primary school-age children with disability utilise services and supports.
  • Peter Conway - Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance. The factors shaping behaviour support practitioner decision making regarding restrictive practices within behaviour support plans for persons who are NDIS participants with an intellectual disability
  • Benjamin Garcia-Lee - Belonging and People with Intellectual Disability and Complex Support Needs
  • Antoni Tsaputra - Exploring the potential of Disability Inclusive Budgeting for realising rights for Persons with Disabilities in Indonesia
  • Julian Trofimovs - INtellectual disability, mental health and offending
  • Snow Li - Complex support needs in individuals with intellectual disability and co-occurring mental illness

 

HDR completions

  • Dr Joy Townsend, PhD Sociology: Her Sexual Self: a narrative investigation of young women's sexual subjectivities
  • Dr Alec Sewell, PhD Social Policy. Complex needs: Multiple disadvantage and reductionism in the enactment of policy
  • Dr Ariella Meltzer, PhD Social Policy. Siblings, young people and relational experiences of disability
  • Dr Linda Steele, PhD: Disability at the Margins: Diversion, Cognitive Impairment and the Criminal Law. (Associate Supervision USyd)
  • Dr Kim Spurway PhD. Decision-making in disaster management: mapping the thematic complexities and understanding the contested rationalities of social practice

My Teaching

Teaching Areas:
Disabilty studies, qualitative and mixed method research methodologies, social policy, human behaviour, and  criminology.