Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Public policy
  • Youth policy
  • Youth research

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Robyn Broadbent

Robyn Broadbent is an academic, community researcher, community activist and a committed advocate for the human rights of young people. Robyn is the current course chair for the Bachelor of Youth Work and the Bachelor of Community Development at Victoria University.

Robyn wrote the Youth Work programs at Victoria University, and has taught and managed the program for the past twenty years. She has also been active in the establishment of the Youth Workers' Association and continues to sit on the Board. She is currently the Chair of the Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Work Associations.

Along with her academic roles, Robyn has worked in local, state, national and international youth affairs. She currently sits on the expert panel overseeing the development of a global Youth Development Index for the Commonwealth Youth Program, which she presented at the 8th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting. Robyn has worked with the Commonwealth Youth Program in a variety of roles for the past 10 years. In 2016, Robyn assisted in the development of the first Australian Youth Development Index.

Robyn provides advice and mentoring to youth workers in a range of settings and is well known for her collection of youth consultancy work. She has worked with the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and was instrumental in establishing the Visy Cares Hub.

Much of Robyn’s research focus is on vulnerable young people and their access to education.

Robyn is proud that her professional grounding was as a youth worker in the western suburbs of Melbourne and continues to be committed to the region to ensure that all young people have access to the full benefits of a wealthy society.

Qualifications

  • EdD, RMIT, Australia
  • MA, RMIT, Australia
  • GDipEd
  • BSocSci, Footscray Institute of Technology, Australia
  • BA Youth Studies, RMIT, Australia

Key publications

Year Citation
2016 Corney, T., & Broadbent, R. (160101). 'From defence to human rights: the impact of youth policy on the professionalisation of youth work in Victoria, Australia' In Siurala, L. ;. (Ed.) (pp. 49-56). Strasbourg, France: Council of Eurpoe.
2014 Corney, T., & Broadbent, R. (140101). Re-establishing a professional association for youth workers in Victoria (pp. 162-172). Incolink.

Year Citation
2013 Broadbent, R., & Papadopoulos, T. (130201). Impact and benefits of digital inclusion for social housing residents. Community Development, 44(1), (55-67).

doi: 10.1080/15575330.2012.662990

2012 Broadbent, R., Cacciattolo, M., & Papadopoulos, T. (120401). Good practice in secondary school careers programs: A case study of the approach of one inner city school. Education and Training, 54(2-3), (126-141).

doi: 10.1108/00400911211210242

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

Living & Learning Project
From: Melbourne City Mission
For period: 2019-2019
Not disclosed

The Youth Work eLearning Partnership (YWeLP)
From: European Union Erasmus+: Youth in Action programme
Other investigators: Mr Martti Martinson
For period: 2017-2019
Not disclosed

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 Master of Research Principal supervisor
1 Master of Research Associate supervisor
1 PhD Integrated Associate supervisor
1 PhD Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
Master of Research (1) Principal supervisor
Master of Research (1) Associate supervisor
PhD Integrated (1) Associate supervisor
PhD (1) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 PhD Associate supervisor
1 PhD Principal supervisor
1 Doctor of Education Principal supervisor
1 Master of Applied Research Principal supervisor
1 PhD Integrated Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (1) Associate supervisor
PhD (1) Principal supervisor
Doctor of Education (1) Principal supervisor
Master of Applied Research (1) Principal supervisor
PhD Integrated (1) Associate supervisor

Awards

Year Award
2014

World's Top 100 Youth Policy Specialists - United Nations

Keynote and invited speeches

Year Title/Description
2013

The Youth Development Index

8th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, Papua New Guinea

2015

Measuring Youth Work

Commonwealth Youth Conference

2017

Building a Commonwealth Youth Worker Network

9th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, Uganda

2018

Youth Development Index

New Zealand Youth Work Conference

Show more invited keynote speeches

Professional memberships

  • Youth Workers Association, Board Member