The little things are often the big things: what I learnt in three decades of research

“I had come from Sydney, keen to do a PhD, but supervision at a distance wasn’t viable. Online learning didn’t exist, email was barely heard of, and the so-called ‘information superhighway’ was a novelty beyond comprehension. We were only beginning to understand what it could offer to research,” Anne recalls.

The following year, the institution separated from UNE and became a University in its own right, named after an iconic star on the flag of an infamous rebellion. Southern Cross University was born.

“That started the ride of my life,” said Anne.

“My climb was steep but being in a new University was a fertile environment for innovation. It was small, personal and responsive in pursuing a distinctive identity, grounded within the north coast region, while seeking to address gaps nationally in both course offerings and in research.

“We were nothing like a sandstone metropolitan university so what could we offer that was different? What did we want to be known for? I think my identity as a teacher and researcher grew out of these kinds of questions.”

A few years later when Anne completed her PhD in social policy, she found herself at a career crossroads. She was offered two continuing academic positions – one of which was in the School of Education.

“When I sought advice from a senior colleague about which job I should take, he asked me a question I’ve never forgotten. He said, ‘where do you think you’re going to make the most difference?’ That turned out to be a game changer because it focused me on what I valued – not just on what I knew.

“I chose the job in Education and I have no regrets at all about that. There is no greater privilege in my mind than working with children and preparing teachers and allied professionals to work with children in ways that respect them as human beings and recognise their potential, regardless of their circumstances.”

Seasons for Growth

Anne’s interest in promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing culminated in the development of a psycho-social education program that celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this year.

Seasons for Growth is a not-for-profit, evidence-based intervention where children and young people gain understandings and skills to help them adapt to experiences of change, loss and grief, such as death, divorce, natural disasters or forced migration. Central to their learning is children’s voice and agency.

“At the time the Seasons program launched in 1996, that kind of applied research output was not considered in the same way it is today. What counted was getting research papers published. The thinking was you do the research and publish, and that’s the extent of your job as a researcher.”

While few in the broader academy were talking about impact and engagement at the time, Anne worked closely and collaboratively with committed partners to ensure the research was translated into outputs that could potentially transform lives.

More than half-a-million children and adults across five countries have participated in Seasons and its related Stormbirds (natural disaster) programs, which are delivered through MacKillop Family Services.

The reach of these programs is now intergenerational. Adults who completed Seasons as a child are now training to become facilitators of the program.

“I feel incredibly humbled by their stories,” says Anne, beaming at the thought. 

It reflects what has always been the core of her work: impactful research that has the wellbeing of children at heart and makes space for children’s voices to be heard and responded to in ethical, safe ways.

It led to the founding of the Centre for Children and Young People (CCYP) in 2004, one of the longest-running research centres at Southern Cross University.

Anne has led more than seventy projects under the auspices of CCYP, produced more than 300 scholarly publications and supervised more than 20 Higher Degree by Research candidates. She has been a member of diverse national advisory bodies and influenced policy across sectors from juvenile justice to education. Her work has been recognised at the highest levels, including as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 and with the academy’s highest honour of a Distinguished Professorship in 2024.

The little things are often the big things

After such a long and rich career working with children (as well as raising four of her own), what still gives her pause for thought?

“What surprises me most is how long it has taken for the views of children and young people to be taken seriously in research and in the actions and decisions that shape their lives. When we ask children about their experiences, what they know and what they need from the systems that support them, it is often not rocket science nor does it cost too much.

“For many children, the little things are the big things. Kids yearn first and foremost for recognition - to feel cared for, respected, valued.”

Arguably the most globally significant of Anne’s many achievements, and of which she is enormously proud, is the Ethical Research Involving Children (ERIC) initiative, which she led in partnership with UNICEF’s Office of Research, Innocenti. ERIC has become the international benchmark for ethical research involving children, providing a globally recognised Charter and Guidance that has reached users in 178 countries and been translated into six languages.

“Our key difference in the CCYP has always been about research with children, not just about them or on them. ERIC is motivated by a shared international concern that the human dignity of children is honoured and their rights and wellbeing are respected in all research, regardless of context.

“This means challenging perceptions that ethics is a hoop to be jumped through for project approval rather than a way of proceeding from start to end that ensures children’s participation, protection and wellbeing, including those who may be disempowered in the research process. This is the foundation of ERIC.”

The CCYP has attracted numerous talented researchers over the years, including Professor Lynne McPherson, who relocated from Melbourne in 2016 to Southern Cross University.

“Part of the attraction in accepting the new job was the knowledge that CCYP led by Anne Graham had a strong national and international reputation. With a focus on children’s rights, the CCYP was and is involved in research that was closely aligned with my interests,” recalls Lynne, who credits Anne as an inspirational mentor who was strongly supportive of her early career and grant success.

“Anne leads with kindness, humility and a genuine interest in developing those who are privileged to work with her,” said Lynne, who is now leading one of the largest social work grants ever received by the University to investigate kinship care.

Empathy has been a hallmark of Anne's leadership. She knows well the demands of building an academic career while juggling family life. As one of nine children, mother to four, and now grandmother to seven, she says she is privileged to have had the love and support of her family right throughout her career, as well as guidance from colleagues within and beyond the University who have encouraged, challenged and inspired her.

Just has she, no doubt, has challenged and inspired them.