Dr Lauren Lines

I am an early career researcher exploring ways to build capacity of the health workforce to ensure children and young people are safe and supported in their families and communities. I am passionate about children’s rights, especially children’s right to be heard and to live in caring environments that enable them to thrive. My research explores how health professionals can prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect that supports all children to thrive in their own families, communities and cultures. This incorporates a focus on building workforce capacity for partnering with children, young people and families through effective interprofessional approaches. My teaching responsibilities include Postgraduate Nursing Course Coordinator, and the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing where I combine contemporary research and industry partnerships to inform student-centred learning experiences. Prior to my academic appointment, I worked as a registered nurse for almost ten years in paediatric medical and surgical areas at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.

Research Impact

In her post-doctoral work, Lauren is passionate about ensuring all children can live in safe, strong families and communities where they can reach their full potential. Funded projects included the Safeguarding Project which explored Australian nurses and midwives understanding of their roles in keeping children safe across, and the Educating Future Workforce Project which mapped interprofessional education for preservice (undergraduate) nurses, midwives and social workers to see if they are equipped for a collaborative public health response to child abuse.

Lauren's ongoing research (video here) builds capacity of the multidisciplinary child and family workforce to support children and families experiencing adversity. This includes exploring ways to better educate and equip early childhood professionals for interdisciplinary practice that support families experiencing adversity. Innovative strategies to better educate, equip and support the workforce include enhanced resourcing, ongoing support and practice development opportunities, including learning from the lived experiences of children and families.