The reputation of Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute as an international leader in research that benefits people with disability has been further enhanced through recent collaborative work done with UK expert Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole.
Professor Runswick-Cole, from the University of Sheffield, came to Flinders as part of its visiting international research fellowship scheme and worked with Professor Sally Robinson, Flinders University’s Professor in Disability and Community Inclusion, based at the Caring Futures Institute.
Professor Runswick-Cole was involved in a broad range of activities, including the delivery of seminars, led by a co-hosted event in conjunction with the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability on the co-production of disability research; a panel session with Flinders HRD students; and a series of advisory conversations with researchers within Flinders’ College of Nursing and Health Sciences. During the visit she was also able to continue her collaboration in Flinders’ research into violence prevention for people with disability, funded by the Australian Research Council.
As the leader of research and academic practice in Disability and Community Inclusion within Flinders’ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Robinson was delighted that Professor Runswick-Cole was able to provide valuable input to ongoing research projects at Flinders, and share some of Flinders’ co-production innovative practices.
“The work that Professor Runswick-Cole did with our team really drew focus on two areas of strategic importance for the Caring Futures Institute – our co-production of research with people with disability in conducting research projects, and exploring new research to improve health for people with intellectual disability,” says Professor Robinson.
Professor Runswick-Cole – who has extensive experience of working alongside children, young people and adults with disability, their families and allies in research and has published widely in the areas of critical disability studies, disabled children’s childhood studies and inclusive education – also spoke about her most recent innovative research paper, Tired of Spinning Plates? An exploration of the mental health of older carers/adults of people with learning disabilities.
This co-produced project that Professor Runswick-Cole conducted with family carers of people with learning disabilities explores the meanings of mental health and care, and of accessing services and support with a view to understand and improve the mental health experiences of family carers of adults with learning disabilities.
The outcomes from the sum of these endeavours with Flinders academics were numerous. “Her international perspective has certainly helped amplify what we are doing at Flinders in our large research projects, and her advice will help us develop stronger strategic partnerships,” says Professor Robinson.
“We can also learn from her role as a Deputy Director of the UK School for Social Care, a research commissioning body for a collective of six UK universities, to help guide our own research priorities.”
The exchange with an international expert also provided an opportunity to learn from shared experiences. “The UK is going through significant policy tensions regarding support for people with disability, just as we currently are in Australia, so it was timely for us to share and examine the similarities and differences of what we are facing,” says Professor Robinson.
Sharing research knowledge and practice provided two-way benefits, with Professor Runswick-Cole being impressed by Flinders’ Disability and Community Inclusion research practice of employing people with disability directly in paid roles to sustain their roles at the heart of disability research projects – something that Professor Runswick-Cole is now keen to also introduce to Sheffield University.
The relationship developed between international disability research experts will also have reciprocal benefits, with Professor Robinson returning to the UK in 2025 for a similar range of activities.
Associate Professor Michelle Bellon from Flinders’ Disability and Community Inclusion has also been connected by Professor Runswick-Cole to a network of UK experts in health and disability research – something that will prove especially beneficial for Associate Professor Bellon’s ongoing strategic partnership with the South Australian Intellectual Disability Health Service.
This ongoing international relationship will help strengthen Flinders’ position when applying for large research grants in the future. “It helps reinforce our case that Flinders is a strong, internationally competitive and globally relevant group of disability researchers, and that our work is at the very forefront of disability research innovations.”