Kate Neale

Skilled Researcher passionate about rights-based, person-focused, and strengths-based research design that privileges lived experience and co-design.

Dynamic Lecturer with 15 years of tertiary teaching experience across hybrid teaching platforms. Known for interesting lectures linking theory with personal fieldwork examples and pragmatic problem-solving. Specialises in a student-focused, adaptive, responsive learning environment dedicated to individual student success and comprehensive understanding.

• Therapeutic Horticulture Australia (Full Member + Past Vice President)
• Working with Vulnerable Populations - Statement of Attainment
• Resilience First Responder Certified - Certified
• Working With Children Check NSW
• AIATSIS Code of Ethics - Statement of Attainment

• Childhood Studies
• Disabilities Studies
• Research Methodologies
• Research Ethics
• Vulnerable populations
• Social Work
• Allied Health
• Early Years Education
• Student Wellbeing
• Children's Rights
• Knowledge Exchange and Translation
• Research Impact

• HLTH4001: Literature Review (Honours) | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2024)
• SWRK6003: Research for Social Work (Masters) | Faculty of Business, Arts and Law, Southern Cross University (2022-2024)
• OCCU3002: Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2020-2024)
• PBHL2002: Health Promotion | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2023-2024)
• PBHL3001: Health Promotion Project | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2023)
• PBHL3004: Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2022)
• OCCU2003: Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2020-2022)
• OCCU2007: Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork | Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2022)
• CYS03344: Children and the Law (Masters) | School of Education, Southern Cross University (2013)
• MKT0075: Marketing Principles | School of Commerce and Management, Southern Cross University (2009-2013)

• 2024 Royal Flying Doctor Service
• 2023 / 2022 / 2021 / 2019 University of Melbourne
• 2023 The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, University of Montana, USA
• 2024 / 2022 / 2021 / 2019 / 2018 Therapeutic Horticulture Australia
• 2021 / 2019 / 2018 Singapore National Parks Board, SG
• 2023 Environment Education Victoria
• 2021 Gold Coast Secondary Principals Alliance
• 2022 / 2020 / 2019 Southern Cross University
• 2023 Sustain Australia – The Australian Food Network
• 2023 Australian Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA)
• 2022 Australian Disease Management Association
• 2022 Australian Institute of Horticulture
• 2021 Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability
• 2019 Northern NSW Local Health District

Ethical Research Involving Children (www.childethics.com) - Internationally renowned repository and community for researchers and practitioners involved in children's research.

Royal Flying Doctor Service. Youth wellbeing through horticulture consultancy

Mission Australia and Uniting (and Catholic Care). Mother Nature and Me Gardening Program. Positive parenting through gardening project for mums at risk of removal and their babies (aged 0-5).

University of Montana – Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities Project DIG (Disability Inclusive Gardening)

Singapore National Parks Board - Centre for Urban Greening and Ecology. Research fellowship exploring wellbeing for children through nature

ARUMA Disability Service Provider – Exploring the benefits of therapeutic horticulture for people with disability living in supported independent living accommodation

Vegepod + AusIndustry Entrepreneurs Programme Research grant developing therapeutic horticulture programs for vulnerable communities

Evergreen Infrastructure and Salvation Army - therapeutic garden design for survivors of domestic violence.

Byron Bay Fletcher Street Cottage - establishment of a therapeutic and medicinal garden for housing insecure service users.

Big Cities Group & City of Gold Coast. Community Greenspaces Strategic Plan

First Steps Count Community Centre - therapeutic nature play children's garden and community garden design 

Evergreen Infrastructure and Sydenham Regional Catholic College - Student wellbeing through greenspaces research project

Human Nature Adventure Therapy Therapeutic Horticulture Program Development for Young People seeking mental health support.

Eat for your life (Brisbane). Therapeutic horticulture garden setup for new Culturally and Linguistically Diverse migrants to Australia

Kyogle Early Years Learning Centre Outdoor Education Program Development for children 0-5

Neighbour Aid 5 Senses Garden Research project exploring the benefits of Therapeutic gardening for people living with dementia and their carers.