Dr Amy Conley Wright is Professor of Child and Family Social Work at the University of Sydney, researching in the areas of family support, advocacy, disability, out-of-home care and adoption. Her research is multi-disciplinary and has involved collaboration with colleagues in law, sociology and economics. These projects use a range of methods, including surveys, case file review, interviews and focus groups, administrative data analysis and systematic review. Her research and commissioned program evaluations have attracted millions of dollars in funding from diverse sources including the New South Wales Government, Australian Research Council, and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS). She has published 4 books, including Six Steps to Successful Child Advocacy: Changing the World for Children, and more than 70 journal articles, book chapters and reports. She has served on many advisory groups, including for Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031 and is former associate editor for the journal Child & Family Social Work. She holds a PhD and Masters of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and a Bachelors in Child Development & Public Policy from Boston University.

Research interests

· Child and family policy

· Social work practice with children and families

· Disability

· Child protection

· Out-of-home care

· Parenting and family support

· Permanency (including restoration, Kinship care, guardianship and open adoption)

· Child advocacy

· Social investment in children and youth

· Program development & evaluation

Themes

Social structures, inequalities and social justice, Social work and social policy

Current research students

Project title	Research student
Judicial interpretation and application of the statutory 'realistic possibility of restoration' test in care and protection proceedings in the Children's Court of NSW	Meredith MCLAINE

Selected publications

Nonprofits in Policy Advocacy: Their Strategies and Stories

(Palgrave Macmillan, 2020)

Social investment and social welfare: International and critical perspectives

(TBC, 2017)

Six steps to successful child advocacy: Changing the world for children

(Sage Publications Ltd , 2014)

Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work

(Oxford University Press, 2010)

Publications

By Type

Expand all

Books

Gen, S., Conley Wright, A. (2020). Nonprofits in Policy Advocacy: Their Strategies and Stories. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
Wright, A., Jaffe, K. (2014). Six steps to successful child advocacy: Changing the world for children. London: Sage Publications Ltd. [More Information]

Edited Books

Midgley, J., Dahl, E., Conley Wright, A. (2017). Social investment and social welfare: International and critical perspectives. TBC. [More Information]
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work. New York: Oxford University Press.

Book Chapters

Conley Wright, A., Kong, P. (2023). Attachment theory. In Susan Heward-Belle (Eds.), Working with families experiencing vulnerability: a partnership approach, (pp. 79-98). Ebook: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2022). Child protection and out-of-home care. In R.Grace, J. Bowes, & C.Woodrow (Eds.), Children, families and communities (6th edition). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Cashmore, J., Conley Wright, A., Hoff, S. (2021). Children's views, best interests and evolving capacities in consenting to their own adoption: A study of NSW Supreme Court Judgements for adoptions from care. In B Sloan, C. Fenton-Glynn (Eds.), Parental Guidance, State Responsibility and Evolving Capacities: Article 5 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (pp. 232-256). Leiden: Brill. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Kaltner, M. (2019). Assessing the Outcomes of Alternative Care and Treatment Responses. In Bob Lonne, Deb Scott, Daryl Higgins, Todd I. Herrenkohl (Eds.), Re-visioning Public Health Approaches for Protecting Children, (pp. 35-47). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A. (2017). Social investment in early childhood in Australia. In Not known (Eds.), Social investment and social welfare: International and critical perspectives, (pp. 33-51). TBC. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2017). Social investment in early childhood in Australia and the United States: A social protection analysis. Developmental social work: Advancing policy &practice. Taipei, Taiwan: Eden Social Welfare Foundation.
Wright, A. (2015). International perspectives on social work and social development: Strategies for developmental social work. Developmental social work: Theory and practice. Taipei, Taiwan: Eden Social Welfare Foundation.
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Introduction. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. xiii-xxx). New York: Oxford University Press.
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Limitations and prospects of developmental social work. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. 193-204). New York: Oxford University Press.
Wright, A. (2010). Social development, social investment, and child welfare. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. 31-54). New York: Oxford University Press.

show 7 more

Journals

Grace, R., Mitchell, M., Conley Wright, A., Karatasas, K., Hadley, F., Ravulo, J., Blythe, S., Ezekwem-Obi, A., Waniganayake, M. (2025). The Right to Cultural Connection for Children in Out-of-Home Care: Does Australian Policy and Practice Adequately Support Cultural Identity for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children? Australian Journal of Social Issues. [More Information]
Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Hanley, N., Simpson, H. (2024). A window into their world: How video visits facilitate father-child relationships. Journal of Child and Family Studies, Online first. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Grace, R., Karatasas, K., Ezekwem-Obi, A., Waniganayake, M., Hadley, F., Blythe, S., Noujaim, G., Ravulo, J., Mitchell, M., et al (2024). Innovative Cultural Care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children in Out-of-Home Care. Australian Social Work. [More Information]
Wilkinson, H., Conley Wright, A. (2024). Recruiting carers for older children and youth: Messages and methods of media campaigns. Children and Youth Services Review, 160(May 2024), 107619. [More Information]
Ciftci, S., Collings, S., Buratti, S., Conley Wright, A. (2024). Supporting Carers to Coregulate With Children in Care: Learnings From Action Research With Caseworkers. Child and Family Social Work. [More Information]
Karatasas, K., Noujaim, G., Conley Wright, A., Chapman, J. (2024). The S.E.L.F. Framework for Keeping Children Connected to Their Culture in Out-of-Home Care. Australian Social Work. [More Information]
Black, B., Hendry, B., Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2023). Co-design with people with lived experience: Designing resources to communicate with children and young people in care about their family time contact visits. British Journal of Social Work, 53(3), 1352-1367. [More Information]
Foote, W., Conley Wright, A., Mason, J., McEwan, T. (2023). Collaboration between Australian peak bodies and governments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: New ways of interacting. Australian Journal of Social Issues, Online first. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2023). Conceptual meanings of permanency: Photovoice with care-experienced youth. Journal of Youth Studies, Online first. [More Information]
MacDonald, M., Conley Wright, A., Taylor-Beswick, A., Gillespie, K., Collings, S. (2023). Digital Relationality, Rights, Resilience: Conceptualising a Digital Social Ecology for Children’s Birth Family Relationships When in Care or Adopted. British Journal of Social Work, 53(1), 216-235. [More Information]
Morris, M., Brusco, N., McAleer, R., Billett, S., Brophy, L., Bryant, R., Carey, L., Conley Wright, A., East, C., Eckert, M., et al (2023). Professional care workforce: A rapid review of evidence supporting methods of recruitment, retention, safety, and education. Human Resources for Health, 21(1), 95: 1-34. [More Information]
Hanley, N., Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Simpson, H. (2023). What can the development of video visitation in Australian correctional centres tell us about organisational transformation? Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 35(4), 454-472. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). "You are mum and then they are mum": Negotiating roles, relationships, and contact in out-of-home care. Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, Online first. [More Information]
Luu, B., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). A systematic review of common elements of practice that support reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, 133, 106342. [More Information]
Ciftci, S., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). Action research with caseworkers: Responding to and reflecting on the impacts of Covid-19 on birth family contact. Child and Family Social Work, 27(4), 851-861. [More Information]
Lin, C., Chen, Y., Wang, C., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Van Wichelen, S. (2022). Changing nature of adoption and need for post-adoption services: Intercountry adoption practice in Taiwan and Australia. International Social Work, Online first. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J., Wise, S., Tilbury, C. (2022). Comparative analysis of third-party permanency orders legislation in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, Online. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M. (2022). Telling visual stories of loss and hope: Body mapping with mothers about contact after child removal. Qualitative Research, Online first. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., McLean, L., Buratti, S. (2022). Trauma-informed Family Contact Practice for Children in Out-of-home Care. British Journal of Social Work, 52(4), 1837-1858. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). Two families joined by a child: The role of direct contact in fostering relationships between birth and carer families in permanent care. Journal of Family Studies, 28(2). [More Information]
Stoddart, J., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Van Wichelen, S. (2021). 'I'm the centre part of a Venn diagram': Belonging and identity for Taiwanese-Australian intercountry adoptees. Adoption and Fostering, 45(1), 71-89. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Luu, B., Cashmore, J. (2021). Adoption in Australia: Past, present and considerations for the future. Australian Law Journal, 95, 67-80.
Conley Wright, A., Van Wichelen, S., Spencer, M., Chen, Y., Lin, C., Wang, C. (2021). Narrating connection in intercountry adoption: Complexities of openness in Taiwan-Australia adoptions. International Journal of Social Welfare, 30, 305-315. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Luu, B. (2020). How foster carers experience agency support for birth family contact. Child and Family Social Work, 25(1), 83-91. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2020). Sibling networks of children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, 1-10. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2019). Contact and adoption plans for children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales. Australian Social Work, 72(4), 404-418. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Randle, M. (2019). General public perceptions and motivations to adopt children from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia. Children Australia, 44(4), 212-222. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Warren, J., Burriel, K., Sinnott, L. (2019). Innovations in social welfare: Three variations on the Australian supported playgroup model. International Journal of Social Welfare, 28(3), 333-344. [More Information]
Taylor, S., Conley Wright, A., Pothier, H., Hill, C., Rosenberg, M. (2019). It's like I have an advantage in all this: Experiences of advocacy by parents of children with disabilities from professional backgrounds. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 46(3), 159-183.
Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2019). Permanency with lifelong connections: Casework practices to support positive relationships between carer and birth families. Developing Practice, 53, 92-109.
Luu, B., de Rosnay, M., Conley Wright, A., Tregeagle, S. (2018). Identity formation in children and young people in open adoptions from out-of-home-care in New South Wales, Australia. Adoption Quarterly, 21(2), 120-139. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A. (2018). Investing in adoption: Exploring child development accounts for children adopted from foster care. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 45(4), 129-146.
Collings, S., Neil, E., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Practices to improve communication between birth parents and permanent families. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 20(2), 144-150.
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2018). Strategies of Policy Advocacy Organizations and Their Theoretical Affinities: Evidence from Q-Methodology. Policy Studies Journal, 46(2), 298-326. [More Information]
Taylor, S., Conley Wright, A. (2017). The role of not-for-profit organisations in supporting leadership in parents of children with disabilities: A cross-national perspective. Third Sector Review, 23(2), 81-107.
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2015). Policy capacity is necessary but not sufficient: Comment on "Health reform requires policy capacity". International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 4(12), 837-839. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2015). Powerful parenting and enabling contexts: lessons to support academic success. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 23(2), 323-329. [More Information]
Wright, A., Taylor, S. (2014). Advocacy by Parents of Young Children With Special Needs: Activities, Processes, and Perceived Effectiveness. Journal of Social Service Research, 40(5), 591-605. [More Information]
Wright, A., Lamsal, D., Ksetree, M., Sharma, A., Jaffe, K. (2014). From maid to mother: Transforming facilities, staff training, and caregiver dignity in an institutional facility for young children in Nepal. Infant Mental Health Journal, 35(2), 132-143. [More Information]
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2013). Policy Advocacy Organizations: A Framework Linking Theory and Practice. Journal of Policy Practice, 12(3), 163-193. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2013). Teaching about diverse families through case studies and authentic performance assessment. Family Science Review, 18(1), 134-154. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2010). Childcare: Welfare or investment? International Journal of Social Welfare, 19(2), 173-181. [More Information]
Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2010). Community-based child abuse prevention: Outcomes associated with a differential response program in California. Child Maltreatment, 15(4), 282-292. [More Information]
Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2008). Implementation of differential response in ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Protecting Children, 23(1&2), 30-38.
Wright, A. (2007). Differential response: A critical examination of a secondary prevention model. Children and Youth Services Review, 29(11), 1454-1468. [More Information]
Frame, L., Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2006). "The real work is what they do together": Peer support and birth parent change. Families in Society, 87(4), 509-521.
Groza, V., Wright, A., Bercea, F. (2003). A study of Romanian foster families in Bistrita Judet. Calitatea Vietii (Quality of Life Review), 14(1), 1-16.

show 44 more

Magazine / Newspaper Articles

Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2021). The multiple meanings of permanency. Australian Institute of Family Studies. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Ciftci, S. (2020). Helping children in care stay in contact with their birth families during COVID-19. Australian Institute of Family Studies. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2019). How should an adopted child maintain a relationship with their birth family? ABC News. [More Information]

Report

Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Metcalfe, L., Heward-Belle, S., Collings, S., Barrett, E. (2024). Analysis of linked longitudinal administrative data on child protection involvement for NSW families with domestic and family violence, alcohol and other drug issues and mental health issues.

Other

Boucher, A., Bryant, G., Conley Wright, A., Cooper, R., Gauja, A., Iveson, K., Stears, M., Tattersall, A., Soutphommasane, T. (2020), Principles for a policy response to COVID-19.

Research Reports

Bennett, J., Tattersall, A., McCormack, B., Moore, K., Mellifont, D., Conley Wright, A., Fennis, L., Krayem, G., Sawan, M., Huber, E., O'Callaghan, M. (2024). Illuminating lived experience: Exploring researcher perspectives on co-design through participatory methods, Australia: Sydney Policy Lab. [More Information]
Hanley, N., Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Simpson, H., Metcalfe, L. (2024). Maintaining father-child relationships using video visitation in Australian prisons, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Luu, B., Collings, S., Wardle, I., Ciftci, S., Cashmore, J., Riley, L., Pope, S. (2023). Family group conferencing evaluation: final report, FACS RFT.18.234. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Wardle, I., Wilkinson, D., Gilroy, J., Pinckham, S. (2021). New South Wales carer support needs: Coping in the context of COVID-19 (Final Report), Australia: . [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Metcalfe, L., Wilkinson, H., Luu, B. (2020). Priority vulnerable populations, Australia: University of Sydney.
Wilkinson, H., Conley Wright, A. (2019). Barriers and motivations to recruiting carers for children and young people in care aged 9+ years, 25 September, (pp. 1 - 61). Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M. (2019). Family connections and contact study: Final report, Sydney, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Wilkinson, D., Conley Wright, A. (2019). Standards in training for out-of-home carers, September, (pp. 1 - 63). Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Lifelong connections for children in permanent care: What supports families to make contact work?, Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies: Child, Family, Community Australia. [More Information]
Luu, B., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Pope, S., Spencer, M. (2018). Open adoption of children in NSW out‐of‐home care: Foster carers' perceptions about the motivations and barriers, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Pope, S. (2018). Open adoption of children in NSW out-of-home care: General public perceptions and motivations, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Byrne, T., Siraj, I., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Strong children, strong families: Building protective factors in children, families and educators, Australia: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong.
Conley Wright, A., Smyth, L. (2016). Parent Room advocacy training pilot evaluation, Australia: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong.
de Rosnay, M., Luu, B., Wright, A. (2016). Young children's identity formation in the context of open adoption in NSW: An examination of optimal conditions for child wellbeing, Australia: The University of Sydney. [More Information]
International Child Resource Institute, Conley Wright, A. (2013). Feasibility study on the provision of high-quality care and education to children age 3 and 4 by the Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam (First progress report), United States of America: International Child Resource Institute, Berkeley, CA.
Berrick, J., Branom, C., Wright, A., Price, A. (2009). Assessing alternative and differential response: Implications for social work practice in diverse communities (Executive summary), Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Child and Youth Policy, University of California at Berkeley.
Conley Wright, A. (2009). Children's Systems of Care facilitation: Where we've been, where we're going (Final report), United States of America: Children's Systems of Care, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA.
Conley Wright, A. (2008). San Francisco Head Start services for families, San Francisco, CA, United States of America: Marian Wright Edelman Institute.
Center for Social Services Research, Conley Wright, A. (2006). A strategic plan to increase the flow of minority, multi-lingual and culturally competent professional social workers into California's mental health system final report: Review of relevant literature, Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Social Services Research.
Conley Wright, A. (2005). Another Road to Safety: Program replication guide, San Leandro, CA, United States of America: First 5 Alameda County.
Frame, L., Conley Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2004). Birth parents and the reunification process: A Study of the Mendocino County Model, Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Social Services Research.

show 18 more

By Year

Expand all

2025

Grace, R., Mitchell, M., Conley Wright, A., Karatasas, K., Hadley, F., Ravulo, J., Blythe, S., Ezekwem-Obi, A., Waniganayake, M. (2025). The Right to Cultural Connection for Children in Out-of-Home Care: Does Australian Policy and Practice Adequately Support Cultural Identity for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children? Australian Journal of Social Issues. [More Information]

2024

Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Hanley, N., Simpson, H. (2024). A window into their world: How video visits facilitate father-child relationships. Journal of Child and Family Studies, Online first. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Metcalfe, L., Heward-Belle, S., Collings, S., Barrett, E. (2024). Analysis of linked longitudinal administrative data on child protection involvement for NSW families with domestic and family violence, alcohol and other drug issues and mental health issues.
Bennett, J., Tattersall, A., McCormack, B., Moore, K., Mellifont, D., Conley Wright, A., Fennis, L., Krayem, G., Sawan, M., Huber, E., O'Callaghan, M. (2024). Illuminating lived experience: Exploring researcher perspectives on co-design through participatory methods, Australia: Sydney Policy Lab. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Grace, R., Karatasas, K., Ezekwem-Obi, A., Waniganayake, M., Hadley, F., Blythe, S., Noujaim, G., Ravulo, J., Mitchell, M., et al (2024). Innovative Cultural Care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children in Out-of-Home Care. Australian Social Work. [More Information]
Hanley, N., Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Simpson, H., Metcalfe, L. (2024). Maintaining father-child relationships using video visitation in Australian prisons, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology. [More Information]
Wilkinson, H., Conley Wright, A. (2024). Recruiting carers for older children and youth: Messages and methods of media campaigns. Children and Youth Services Review, 160(May 2024), 107619. [More Information]
Ciftci, S., Collings, S., Buratti, S., Conley Wright, A. (2024). Supporting Carers to Coregulate With Children in Care: Learnings From Action Research With Caseworkers. Child and Family Social Work. [More Information]
Karatasas, K., Noujaim, G., Conley Wright, A., Chapman, J. (2024). The S.E.L.F. Framework for Keeping Children Connected to Their Culture in Out-of-Home Care. Australian Social Work. [More Information]

show 5 more

2023

Conley Wright, A., Kong, P. (2023). Attachment theory. In Susan Heward-Belle (Eds.), Working with families experiencing vulnerability: a partnership approach, (pp. 79-98). Ebook: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
Black, B., Hendry, B., Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2023). Co-design with people with lived experience: Designing resources to communicate with children and young people in care about their family time contact visits. British Journal of Social Work, 53(3), 1352-1367. [More Information]
Foote, W., Conley Wright, A., Mason, J., McEwan, T. (2023). Collaboration between Australian peak bodies and governments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: New ways of interacting. Australian Journal of Social Issues, Online first. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2023). Conceptual meanings of permanency: Photovoice with care-experienced youth. Journal of Youth Studies, Online first. [More Information]
MacDonald, M., Conley Wright, A., Taylor-Beswick, A., Gillespie, K., Collings, S. (2023). Digital Relationality, Rights, Resilience: Conceptualising a Digital Social Ecology for Children’s Birth Family Relationships When in Care or Adopted. British Journal of Social Work, 53(1), 216-235. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Schurer, S., Luu, B., Collings, S., Wardle, I., Ciftci, S., Cashmore, J., Riley, L., Pope, S. (2023). Family group conferencing evaluation: final report, FACS RFT.18.234. [More Information]
Morris, M., Brusco, N., McAleer, R., Billett, S., Brophy, L., Bryant, R., Carey, L., Conley Wright, A., East, C., Eckert, M., et al (2023). Professional care workforce: A rapid review of evidence supporting methods of recruitment, retention, safety, and education. Human Resources for Health, 21(1), 95: 1-34. [More Information]
Hanley, N., Duursma, E., Conley Wright, A., Simpson, H. (2023). What can the development of video visitation in Australian correctional centres tell us about organisational transformation? Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 35(4), 454-472. [More Information]

show 5 more

2022

Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). "You are mum and then they are mum": Negotiating roles, relationships, and contact in out-of-home care. Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, Online first. [More Information]
Luu, B., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). A systematic review of common elements of practice that support reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, 133, 106342. [More Information]
Ciftci, S., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). Action research with caseworkers: Responding to and reflecting on the impacts of Covid-19 on birth family contact. Child and Family Social Work, 27(4), 851-861. [More Information]
Lin, C., Chen, Y., Wang, C., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Van Wichelen, S. (2022). Changing nature of adoption and need for post-adoption services: Intercountry adoption practice in Taiwan and Australia. International Social Work, Online first. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2022). Child protection and out-of-home care. In R.Grace, J. Bowes, & C.Woodrow (Eds.), Children, families and communities (6th edition). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J., Wise, S., Tilbury, C. (2022). Comparative analysis of third-party permanency orders legislation in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, Online. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M. (2022). Telling visual stories of loss and hope: Body mapping with mothers about contact after child removal. Qualitative Research, Online first. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., McLean, L., Buratti, S. (2022). Trauma-informed Family Contact Practice for Children in Out-of-home Care. British Journal of Social Work, 52(4), 1837-1858. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2022). Two families joined by a child: The role of direct contact in fostering relationships between birth and carer families in permanent care. Journal of Family Studies, 28(2). [More Information]

show 6 more

2021

Stoddart, J., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Van Wichelen, S. (2021). 'I'm the centre part of a Venn diagram': Belonging and identity for Taiwanese-Australian intercountry adoptees. Adoption and Fostering, 45(1), 71-89. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Luu, B., Cashmore, J. (2021). Adoption in Australia: Past, present and considerations for the future. Australian Law Journal, 95, 67-80.
Cashmore, J., Conley Wright, A., Hoff, S. (2021). Children's views, best interests and evolving capacities in consenting to their own adoption: A study of NSW Supreme Court Judgements for adoptions from care. In B Sloan, C. Fenton-Glynn (Eds.), Parental Guidance, State Responsibility and Evolving Capacities: Article 5 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (pp. 232-256). Leiden: Brill. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Van Wichelen, S., Spencer, M., Chen, Y., Lin, C., Wang, C. (2021). Narrating connection in intercountry adoption: Complexities of openness in Taiwan-Australia adoptions. International Journal of Social Welfare, 30, 305-315. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Wardle, I., Wilkinson, D., Gilroy, J., Pinckham, S. (2021). New South Wales carer support needs: Coping in the context of COVID-19 (Final Report), Australia: . [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2021). The multiple meanings of permanency. Australian Institute of Family Studies. [More Information]

show 3 more

2020

Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Ciftci, S. (2020). Helping children in care stay in contact with their birth families during COVID-19. Australian Institute of Family Studies. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M., Luu, B. (2020). How foster carers experience agency support for birth family contact. Child and Family Social Work, 25(1), 83-91. [More Information]
Gen, S., Conley Wright, A. (2020). Nonprofits in Policy Advocacy: Their Strategies and Stories. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
Boucher, A., Bryant, G., Conley Wright, A., Cooper, R., Gauja, A., Iveson, K., Stears, M., Tattersall, A., Soutphommasane, T. (2020), Principles for a policy response to COVID-19.
Conley Wright, A., Metcalfe, L., Wilkinson, H., Luu, B. (2020). Priority vulnerable populations, Australia: University of Sydney.
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2020). Sibling networks of children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, 1-10. [More Information]

show 3 more

2019

Conley Wright, A., Kaltner, M. (2019). Assessing the Outcomes of Alternative Care and Treatment Responses. In Bob Lonne, Deb Scott, Daryl Higgins, Todd I. Herrenkohl (Eds.), Re-visioning Public Health Approaches for Protecting Children, (pp. 35-47). Cham: Springer. [More Information]
Wilkinson, H., Conley Wright, A. (2019). Barriers and motivations to recruiting carers for children and young people in care aged 9+ years, 25 September, (pp. 1 - 61). Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Cashmore, J. (2019). Contact and adoption plans for children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales. Australian Social Work, 72(4), 404-418. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Spencer, M. (2019). Family connections and contact study: Final report, Sydney, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Randle, M. (2019). General public perceptions and motivations to adopt children from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia. Children Australia, 44(4), 212-222. [More Information]
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2019). How should an adopted child maintain a relationship with their birth family? ABC News. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A., Warren, J., Burriel, K., Sinnott, L. (2019). Innovations in social welfare: Three variations on the Australian supported playgroup model. International Journal of Social Welfare, 28(3), 333-344. [More Information]
Taylor, S., Conley Wright, A., Pothier, H., Hill, C., Rosenberg, M. (2019). It's like I have an advantage in all this: Experiences of advocacy by parents of children with disabilities from professional backgrounds. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 46(3), 159-183.
Conley Wright, A., Collings, S. (2019). Permanency with lifelong connections: Casework practices to support positive relationships between carer and birth families. Developing Practice, 53, 92-109.
Wilkinson, D., Conley Wright, A. (2019). Standards in training for out-of-home carers, September, (pp. 1 - 63). Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney. [More Information]

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2018

Luu, B., de Rosnay, M., Conley Wright, A., Tregeagle, S. (2018). Identity formation in children and young people in open adoptions from out-of-home-care in New South Wales, Australia. Adoption Quarterly, 21(2), 120-139. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A. (2018). Investing in adoption: Exploring child development accounts for children adopted from foster care. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 45(4), 129-146.
Collings, S., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Lifelong connections for children in permanent care: What supports families to make contact work?, Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies: Child, Family, Community Australia. [More Information]
Luu, B., Collings, S., Conley Wright, A., Pope, S., Spencer, M. (2018). Open adoption of children in NSW out‐of‐home care: Foster carers' perceptions about the motivations and barriers, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Luu, B., Conley Wright, A., Pope, S. (2018). Open adoption of children in NSW out-of-home care: General public perceptions and motivations, Australia: Institute of Open Adoption Studies, The University of Sydney. [More Information]
Collings, S., Neil, E., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Practices to improve communication between birth parents and permanent families. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 20(2), 144-150.
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2018). Strategies of Policy Advocacy Organizations and Their Theoretical Affinities: Evidence from Q-Methodology. Policy Studies Journal, 46(2), 298-326. [More Information]
Byrne, T., Siraj, I., Conley Wright, A. (2018). Strong children, strong families: Building protective factors in children, families and educators, Australia: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong.

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2017

Midgley, J., Dahl, E., Conley Wright, A. (2017). Social investment and social welfare: International and critical perspectives. TBC. [More Information]
Conley Wright, A. (2017). Social investment in early childhood in Australia. In Not known (Eds.), Social investment and social welfare: International and critical perspectives, (pp. 33-51). TBC. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2017). Social investment in early childhood in Australia and the United States: A social protection analysis. Developmental social work: Advancing policy &practice. Taipei, Taiwan: Eden Social Welfare Foundation.
Taylor, S., Conley Wright, A. (2017). The role of not-for-profit organisations in supporting leadership in parents of children with disabilities: A cross-national perspective. Third Sector Review, 23(2), 81-107.

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2016

Conley Wright, A., Smyth, L. (2016). Parent Room advocacy training pilot evaluation, Australia: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong.
de Rosnay, M., Luu, B., Wright, A. (2016). Young children's identity formation in the context of open adoption in NSW: An examination of optimal conditions for child wellbeing, Australia: The University of Sydney. [More Information]

2015

Wright, A. (2015). International perspectives on social work and social development: Strategies for developmental social work. Developmental social work: Theory and practice. Taipei, Taiwan: Eden Social Welfare Foundation.
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2015). Policy capacity is necessary but not sufficient: Comment on "Health reform requires policy capacity". International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 4(12), 837-839. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2015). Powerful parenting and enabling contexts: lessons to support academic success. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 23(2), 323-329. [More Information]

2014

Wright, A., Taylor, S. (2014). Advocacy by Parents of Young Children With Special Needs: Activities, Processes, and Perceived Effectiveness. Journal of Social Service Research, 40(5), 591-605. [More Information]
Wright, A., Lamsal, D., Ksetree, M., Sharma, A., Jaffe, K. (2014). From maid to mother: Transforming facilities, staff training, and caregiver dignity in an institutional facility for young children in Nepal. Infant Mental Health Journal, 35(2), 132-143. [More Information]
Wright, A., Jaffe, K. (2014). Six steps to successful child advocacy: Changing the world for children. London: Sage Publications Ltd. [More Information]

2013

International Child Resource Institute, Conley Wright, A. (2013). Feasibility study on the provision of high-quality care and education to children age 3 and 4 by the Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam (First progress report), United States of America: International Child Resource Institute, Berkeley, CA.
Gen, S., Wright, A. (2013). Policy Advocacy Organizations: A Framework Linking Theory and Practice. Journal of Policy Practice, 12(3), 163-193. [More Information]
Wright, A. (2013). Teaching about diverse families through case studies and authentic performance assessment. Family Science Review, 18(1), 134-154. [More Information]

2010

Wright, A. (2010). Childcare: Welfare or investment? International Journal of Social Welfare, 19(2), 173-181. [More Information]
Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2010). Community-based child abuse prevention: Outcomes associated with a differential response program in California. Child Maltreatment, 15(4), 282-292. [More Information]
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Introduction. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. xiii-xxx). New York: Oxford University Press.
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Limitations and prospects of developmental social work. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. 193-204). New York: Oxford University Press.
Wright, A. (2010). Social development, social investment, and child welfare. In J. Midgley & A. Conley (Eds.), Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work, (pp. 31-54). New York: Oxford University Press.
Midgley, J., Wright, A. (2010). Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work. New York: Oxford University Press.

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2009

Berrick, J., Branom, C., Wright, A., Price, A. (2009). Assessing alternative and differential response: Implications for social work practice in diverse communities (Executive summary), Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Child and Youth Policy, University of California at Berkeley.
Conley Wright, A. (2009). Children's Systems of Care facilitation: Where we've been, where we're going (Final report), United States of America: Children's Systems of Care, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA.

2008

Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2008). Implementation of differential response in ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Protecting Children, 23(1&2), 30-38.
Conley Wright, A. (2008). San Francisco Head Start services for families, San Francisco, CA, United States of America: Marian Wright Edelman Institute.

2007

Wright, A. (2007). Differential response: A critical examination of a secondary prevention model. Children and Youth Services Review, 29(11), 1454-1468. [More Information]

2006

Frame, L., Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2006). "The real work is what they do together": Peer support and birth parent change. Families in Society, 87(4), 509-521.
Center for Social Services Research, Conley Wright, A. (2006). A strategic plan to increase the flow of minority, multi-lingual and culturally competent professional social workers into California's mental health system final report: Review of relevant literature, Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Social Services Research.

2005

Conley Wright, A. (2005). Another Road to Safety: Program replication guide, San Leandro, CA, United States of America: First 5 Alameda County.

2004

Frame, L., Conley Wright, A., Berrick, J. (2004). Birth parents and the reunification process: A Study of the Mendocino County Model, Berkeley, CA, United States of America: Center for Social Services Research.

2003

Groza, V., Wright, A., Bercea, F. (2003). A study of Romanian foster families in Bistrita Judet. Calitatea Vietii (Quality of Life Review), 14(1), 1-16.

Selected Grants

2024

Promoting Child and Carer Wellbeing and Placement Stability in Kinship Care, Pasalich D, Conley Wright A, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)

2022

Families with multiple and complex needs: refocusing on early intervention, O’Donnell M, Conley Wright A, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
Characteristics and risk profiles for youth who go missing or run away from out-of-home care, Conley Wright A, Schurer S, Luu B, Cashmore J, Pope S, James Martin Institute for Public Policy/JMI Policy Challenge Grant
Upholding the right to cultural connection for children in care, Grace R, Conley Wright A, Waniganayake M, Blythe S, Hadley F, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)
Intersections of out-of-home care and disability: Strengthening evidence-informed practice, Conley Wright A, Collings S, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/FASS External Engagement Fund 2022
Evaluation of the Family Support and Connect Program, Conley Wright A, Schurer S, NSW Department of Communities and Justice/Client Commissioned Research

2021

Analysis of linked longitudinal administrative data on child protection involvement for NSW families with domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol use and mental health issues, Conley Wright A, Schurer S, Luu B, Heward-Belle S, Collings S, Barrett E, Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety/Core Grant Research Program
Maintaining father-child relationships using video-visitation in Australian prisons, Conley Wright A, Hanley N, Duursma E, Grant L, Australian Institute of Criminology/Criminology Research Grant

2020

Finding digital safe spaces for children's contact with birth family after adoption from care, MacDonald M, Conley Wright A, British Academy (UK)/Leverhulme Small Research Grant
Keeping kids connected to culture: Policies and practices in out-of-home care in Australia and Taiwan , Conley Wright A, Ching-Hsuan L, Luu B, Spencer M, Terare M, Teyra C, Chen Y, Office of Global Engagement/Partnership Collaboration Awards

2019

Fostering lifelong connections for children in permanent care, Conley Wright A, Riley L, Collings S, Cashmore J, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)
SOAR Fellowship, Conley Wright A, DVC Research/SOAR Fellowships
Family Group Conferencing (FGC) evaluation, Conley Wright A, Pope S, Schurer S, Department of Family and Community Services (NSW)/Consultancy

2017

Intercountry adoption of Taiwanese-born children by Australian families: Perspectives of adoptees, adoptive families, birth families and professionals, Chen Y, Conley Wright A, Van Wichelen S, Spencer M, Office of Global Engagement/Partnership Collaboration Awards
Measuring social investment for children in different child welfare permanency pathways: a scoping study, Conley Wright A, Schurer S, Harmon C, Cashmore J, Zhou Q, Cobb-Clark D, DVC Research/Sydney Policy Lab
Strong children, strong families: Building protective factors for children, families and educators in early childhood education & care, Conley Wright A, Siraj I, Big Fat Smile Group/Industry Grant

2016

Establishing an Institute of Open Adoption Studies at Sydney University, Conley Wright A, Baines D, Laing L, Department of Family and Community Services (NSW)/Research Support

2014

The Parent Room: Empowering parents and carers of children with disabilities through a peer support and advocacy intervention, Conley Wright A, CareSouth/Commercial Grant
Starting strong: Making children resilient in early childhood, Conley Wright A, Siraj I, Big Fat Smile Group/Industry and University Grant

Other funded research

2019
Priority vulnerable populations, NSW Government Stronger Communities Investment Unit
Minimum training standards for out-of-home carers, My Forever Family
Recruiting carers for children over the age of nine years, My Forever Family
Evaluation of the Family Group Conferencing, NSW Department of Communities & Justice

In the media

2023, July 22. ‘Breaking down myths on the lonely only child. Sydney Morning Herald. More information

2023, April 24. Discovery of newborn in Sydney prompts calls for safe drop-off zones for unwanted infants. The Guardian. The Guardian & The Project-Channel 10

2022, April 6. ‘Through thick and thin’: Landmark study backs open adoption, Sydney Morning Herald.More information

2021, 3 December. Adoptions fall to 30-year low amid court delays, border closures. Sydney Morning Herald.More information

2020, 18 November, ‘Parent shaming’ affecting mental health. FirstFive Years. More information

2020, 12 October, Researching permanency in out-of-home care. Podcast: In conversation with Professor Nick Enfield. More information

2020, 16 June, Widening the conversation about adoption and foster care. 2020 SSHARC series. More information

2019, 24 June. Where’s William Tyrell? Channel 10 podcast, episode 2 - Two Families – Interview on New South Wales foster care system. More information

2019, 3rd February. 9 children were adopted by their carers in 3 years, of the 835 in care. The Canberra Times. More information

2018, 11 April. What are the barriers to local adoption in Australia? Live national radio interview. ABC Radio National Life Matters. More information

2017, 15 September. Open adoption. ABC TV Canberra.

2016, 2 August. Where kids do it tough, educators ease the strain. Early Learning Review. More information

2016, 6 July. How do I navigate the NDIS? Live national radio interview. Radio National Life Matters. More information

2016, 28 June. UOW helps parents prepare for the NDIS. More information

2015, 2 September. Is it possible to stop your child from swearing? ABC News 24 evening broadcast, live national television interview.

2015, 31 August. Wright, A. C. Should we swear in front of our kids? The Conversation. More information

2014, 24 October. Wright, A. C. & Keevers, L. We all have a role in protecting children: End the silence on abuse. The Conversation. More information

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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Professor Amy Conley Wright

Selected publications

Publications

By Type

By Year

Selected Grants

2024

2022

2021

2020

2019

2017

2016

2014

Other funded research

In the media

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