Barbara is an Associate Professor in Social Work and teaching and research academic in the School of Allied Health at Curtin University. Barbara's research interests have a particular focus on ageing and disability issues (including aged and disability care and caregiving), elder abuse, advocacy, and service and social policy responses to these issues. She has conducted a number of research projects in these areas over the past 25 years, in partnership with both government and non-government organisations in Western Australia, Queensland, and nationally.