Dr Danielle Newton

Dr Danielle Newton is a Research Fellow at the CSI Swinburne . Danielle has over 23 years academic experience across a range of health, social, and community research and evaluation projects. She is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and holds a PhD in Psychology as well as a Master of Psychology (Health). Danielle has a particular passion for qualitative research for its ability to provide deep insights into human experiences, behaviours and cultures.

Danielle has been extensively involved in projects related to health care service provision, particularly in relation to mental health services and supports. Most recently she was part of a national team undertaking an evaluation of the Medicare Better Access mental health program. Other examples of her work in this area include projects relating to the mental health needs of international university students and various evaluations of mental health services within the General Practice setting particularly in relation to the management of depression and suicide-risk.

She has also been involved in a number of projects concerning justice-involved populations. Examples include: initiatives to reduce the criminalisation of young people in out-of-home-care; the utilisation of peer mentors in breaking the cycle of crime and imprisonment; improving post-release employment outcomes for people leaving prison; and the development of strategies to reduce prison violence.

Danielle also has expertise in the disability sector. Examples of projects in this area include: the development of a positive behavioural support curriculum for disability support practitioners and health professionals; an investigation of the use of chemical restraint among people with intellectual disability; an exploration of the health literacy of people with intellectual disability and their carers; and various other projects involving the mental health of people with intellectual disability.

dnewton@swin.edu.au