Dr. Maria Platt

Associate

About Maria

Maria revels in exploring issues from multiple perspectives including lived experiences and stakeholder perspectives. Her extensive experience in conducting research with marginalised communities in Australia and Southeast Asia complements her empathic and sensitive approach. This is accompanied by Maria’s demonstrated ability to apply a practical and solutions-oriented approach to her work.

The majority of Maria’s work has been focused on social policy aimed at supporting vulnerable families, children, and young people. She is experienced in program review and evaluation and is skilled at sensitively engaging stakeholders to produce rigorous evidence-based outcomes with a practical lens.

Being a country girl at heart, Maria loves being in nature and enjoys hiking and camping. She is a member of her local community garden, likes to sew and enjoys giving life to pre-loved goods. Maria also enjoys escaping to other worlds, whether through a book or travel.

Experience  |  Highlights

Maria's recent work includes:
  • Leading the program review of state-based foster and kinship carer supports 
  • Supporting reforms in schools, including evaluation of literacy assessment reforms and programs which aim to support vocational education and mental health and wellbeing reforms
  • Supporting early childhood education reforms, specifically developing data collection tools and monitoring frameworks to enhance participation of vulnerable cohorts in early childhood education 
  • Designing a Theory of Change to support diverse learners in schools  
  • Delivering a strategic advocacy project, focusing on advocacy pathways for children who are at risk of homelessness 
  • Conducting evaluations of family violence reforms in community and school-based settings 
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Education | Accreditation | Boards

  • PhD (Anthropology)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) (Public Health) 

  • Diploma Project Management

  • Member of the AES (Australian Evaluation Society) 
  • Partnership Brokerage Association Training (2021)