Briony Horsfall

Dr Briony Horsfall is a Sociologist with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research expertise in the areas of family law, elder abuse, child protection, family and domestic violence, and children’s rights. Briony also has experience applying socio-legal and interdisciplinary approaches to research. 

Briony joined the Institute in 2009 and has also worked in academic and non-government settings. She has been involved in a range of projects over time, including the National Elder Abuse Research Program, Domestic and Family Violence and Parenting: Mixed Method Insights Into Impact and Support Needs project, the Evaluation of the 2012 Family Violence Amendments, and the Independent Children's Lawyers Study.

Briony’s PhD took a socio-legal approach to investigate participation rights of children and young people during child protection proceedings in the Children’s Court of Victoria. The first research of its kind, Briony conducted an ethnographic study with lawyers who represent children and a case file study of judicial decision-making. Briony’s work outside the Institute has included research on the implications of assisted reproductive technologies, grandparents caring for grandchildren, and higher education. She has also taught in sociology and research courses at universities.