Associate Professor Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch, University of Otago, New Zealand

Research Associate Professor

BA(Hons) PhD

Associate Professor Brigit Mirfin-Veitch is a Research Associate Professor with the Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies. As a sociologist, Brigit has a strong interest in understanding the social lives of people with learning (intellectual) disability and is committed to initiating and achieving social change through research.

Brigit's research covers a wide range of topics, but she is particularly focused on health and wellbeing, access to justice issues, and parenting by people with a learning disability. She is experienced in qualitative research methodologies, and regularly undertakes transformative evaluation projects, education, and advisory roles within the disability sector.

Brigit is also the Director of the Donald Beasley Institute and an Adjunct Associate Professor within the School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia (since 2018).

Brigit is currently supervising a number of PhD students, all pursuing disability-related doctoral research.

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Publications

Miyahara, M., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2021). Developmental passages to dance improvisation: An interpretive phenomenological study of lived and living conscious experiences. Research in Dance Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2021.1873262

Conder, J. A., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. F. (2020). “Getting by”: People with learning disability and the financial responsibility of independent living. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 48, 251-257. doi: 10.1111/bld.12329

Perry, M. A., Ingham, T., Jones, B., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2020). "At risk" and 'Vulnerable"! Reflections on inequities and the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 48(3), 107-116. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/48.3.02

Kanagasabai, P., Mulligan, H., Devan, H., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Hale, L. (2019). Environmental factors influencing leisure participation of children with movement impairments in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A mixed method study. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 47(2), 105-117. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/47.2.05

Conder, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Payne, D., Channon, A., & Richardson, G. (2019). Increasing the participation of women with intellectual disabilities in women's health screening: A role for disability support services. Research & Practice in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, 6(1), 86-96. doi: 10.1080/23297018.2018.1466354

Authored Book - Other
Chapter in Book - Research
Chapter in Book - Other
Journal - Research Article
Journal - Research Other
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Authored Book - Other

Watson, M., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Holton, D., & Tomkins, A. (1997). Professional Development for Staff Involved with Students with Disabilities. Dunedin: Donald Beasley Institute Inc., 56p.

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Chapter in Book - Research

Mirfin-Veitch, B., Conder, J., Treharne, G. J., Hale, L., & Richardson, G. (2018). Challenging methodological and ethical conventions to facilitate research that is responsive to people with learning disabilities. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 355-370). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7_23

Mirfin-Veitch, B., Milner, P., & McDonald, J. (2017). The pull and push of rural life: Scott and Graham's story. In K. Soldatic & K. Johnson (Eds.), Disability and rurality: Identity, gender and belonging. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Milner, P., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2016). Making a space for the lost stories of inclusion. In R. Jackson & M. Lyons (Eds.), Community care and inclusion for people with an intellectual disability. (pp. 74-89). Edinburgh, UK: Floris Books.

Mirfin-Veitch, B. F., & Bray, A. (1997). Grandparents: Part of family. In B. Carpenter (Ed.), Families in context: Emerging trends in early interventiaon. (pp. 76-88). London: David Fulton Publishers.

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Chapter in Book - Other

Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Ballard, K. (2005). Says who? Supporting participation in disability research. In P. O'Brien & M. Sullivan (Eds.), Allies in emancipation: Shifting from providing service to being of support. (pp. 189-198). Southbank, Australia: Thomson.

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Journal - Research Article

Trip, H., Whitehead, L., Crowe, M., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Daffue, C. (2019). Aging with intellectual disabilities in families: Navigating ever-changing seas: A theoretical model. Qualitative Health Research, 29(11), 1595-1610. doi: 10.1177/1049732319845344

Matthews, M., Bell, E., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2018). Comparing psychopathology rates across autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. Advances in Mental Health & Intellectual Disabilities, 12(5/6), 163-172. doi: 10.1108/AMHID-04-2018-0023

Kanagasabai, P. S., Mulligan, H., Hale, L. A., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2018). "I do like the activities which I can do..." Leisure participation experiences of children with movement impairments. Disability & Rehabilitation, 40(14), 1630-1638. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1303093

Hale, L., Potiki Bryant, K., Ward, A. L., Falloon, A., Montgomery, A., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Tikao, K., & Milosavljevic, S. (2018). Organisational views on health care access for hauā (disabled) Māori in Murihiku (Southland), Aotearoa New Zealand: A mixed methods approach. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 46(2), 51-66. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/46.2.03

Kanagasabai, P. S., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Hale, L. A., & Mulligan, H. (2018). A child-centered method of interviewing children with movement impairments. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 38(3), 255-268. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2017.1365322

McKenzie, N., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Conder, J., & Brandford, S. (2017). "I'm still here": Exploring what matters to people with intellectual disability during advance care planning. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(6), 1089-1098. doi: 10.1111/jar.12355

Foster-Cohen, S., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2017). Evidence for the effectiveness of visual supports in helping children with disabilities access the mainstream primary school curriculum. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 17(2), 79-86. doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12105

Kanagasabai, P. S., Mulligan, H., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Hale, L. (2017). Leisure participation patterns of children with movement impairments in New Zealand. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(1), 16-22. doi: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000334

Janssen, J., Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Harland, T. (2016). Perceptions of physiotherapists towards research: A mixed methods study. Physiotherapy, 102, 210-216. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.04.007

Hale, L. A., Mirfin-Veitch, B. F., & Treharne, G. J. (2016). Prevention of falls for adults with intellectual disability (PROFAID): A feasibility study. Disability & Rehabilitation, 38(1), 36-44. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1017613

Potiki Bryant, K., Hale, L., Tikao, K., Milosavljevic, S., Wright-Tawha, T., Ward, A. L., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. F. (2016). Art as a tool for disseminating research outcomes: The Hauā Mana Māori Project and Participatory Action Research in New Zealand. Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation. Retrieved from https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/journalofhumanitiesinrehabilitation

Conder, J. A., Mirfin-Veitch, B. F., & Gates, S. (2015). Risk and resilience factors in the mental health and well-being of women with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 28, 572-583. doi: 10.1111/jar.12153

Sutherland, D., van der Meer, L., Sigafoos, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Milner, P., O'Reilly, M. F., … Marschik, P. B. (2014). Survey of AAC needs for adults with intellectual disability in New Zealand. Journal of Developmental & Physical Disabilities, 26, 115-122. doi: 10.1007/s10882-013-9347-z

Kanagasabai, P. S., Mulligan, H., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Hale, L. A. (2014). Association between motor functioning and leisure participation of children with physical disability: An integrative review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(12), 1147-1162. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12570

Pal, J., Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Claydon, L. (2014). Injuries and falls among adults with intellectual disability: A prospective New Zealand cohort study. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 39(1), 35-44. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2013.867929

Pal, J., Hale, L., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2013). Experiences of therapists trying to reduce falls risk for people with intellectual disability. Journal of Policy & Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 314-320. doi: 10.1111/jppi.12058

Janssen, J., Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B. F., & Harland, T. (2013). Building the research capacity of clinical physical therapists using a participatory action research approach. Physical Therapy, 93(7), 923-934. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20120030

Conder, J., Milner, P., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2011). Reflections on a participatory project: The rewards and challenges for the lead researchers. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 36(1), 39-48. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2010.548753

Conder, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Sanders, J., & Munford, R. (2011). Planned pregnancy, planned parenting: Enabling choice for adults with a learning disability. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(2), 105-112. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3156.2010.00625.x

Munford, R., Sanders, J., Mirfin Veitch, B., & Conder, J. (2008). Ethics and research: Searching for ethical practice in research. Ethics & Social Welfare, 2(1), 50-66. doi: 10.1080/17496530801948754

Conder, J., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2008). Giving and receiving personal care: What does it mean for clients and carers? Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, 14(10), 20-22.

Conder, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Sanders, J. (2008). “I've got to think of him...”: Relationships between parents with an intellectual disability and foster parents. Developing Practice, 21(Autumn/Winter), 17-25.

Munford, R., Sanders, J., Mirfin Veitch, B., & Conder, J. (2008). Looking inside the bag of tools: Creating research encounters with parents with an intellectual disability. Disability & Society, 23(4), 337-347. doi: 10.1080/09687590802038845

Johnston, H., Henaghan, M., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2007). The experiences of parents with an intellectual disability within the New Zealand Family Court system. New Zealand Family Law Journal, 5(9), 226-236.

Mirfin-Veitch, B., Bray, A., Williams, S. M., Clarkson, J. E., & Belton, A. J. (1999). Supporting parents with intellectual disabilities. New Zealand Journal of Disability Studies, 6, 60-74.

Mirfin-Veitch, B. F., Bray, A., & Watson, M. (1997). We're just that sort of family: Intergenerational relationships in families including children with disabilities. Family Relations, 46(3), 305-311.

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Journal - Research Other

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Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McKenzie, N., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Conder, J., & Trip, H. (2019). Confronting versus comfortable: Two approaches to the recruitment of people with learning disability in an advance care planning study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 9(Suppl. 2), (pp. A14). doi: 10.1136/spcare-2019-ACPICONGRESSABS.42

Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Diesfeld, K. (2016). Achieving responsive legal practice and legal processes in New Zealand through research. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(7-8), (pp. 709). doi: 10.1111/jir.12305

McKenzie, N., Brandford, S., Conder, J., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2016). Why won't you tell me I'm dying? Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(7-8), (pp. 707). doi: 10.1111/jir.12305

Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Treharne, G. (2016). Unpacking a falls prevention intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(7-8), (pp. 676). doi: 10.1111/jir.12305

Conder, J., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2016). A doorway into services: Young New Zealanders with disabilities who live away from home. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(7-8), (pp. 651). doi: 10.1111/jir.12305

McKenzie, N., Brandford, S., Conder, J., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2016). I'm still here!: Exploring what matters. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(7-8), (pp. 707). doi: 10.1111/jir.12305

Hale, L., Potiki-Bryant, K., Tikao, K., Milosavljevic, S., Wright-Tawha, T., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2015). Enabling access to physiotherapy services for Hauā Māori (Māori living with disability). Physiotherapy, 101(Suppl. 1), (pp. e504-e505). doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.3305

Janssen, J., Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Harland, T. (2015). Are physiotherapists ready to conduct research as part of their daily practice? Physiotherapy, 101(Suppl. 1), (pp. e670). doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.3510

Conder, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Crowe, M. (2014). Looking good: Multiple meanings for the body image of women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(4), (pp. 355). doi: 10.1111/jar.12105

Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Treharne, G. J. (2013). A novel intervention to improve balance and activity participation for adults with intellectual disability: A feasibility study. Proceedings of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Conference: New Moves. (pp. 65). Retrieved from http://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/Conference2013

Janssen, J., Hale, L., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Harland, T. (2012). Experiences of hospital based physiotherapists involved in conducting their own research project. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 40(1), (pp. 33). [Abstract]

Conder, J., Crowe, M., & Mirfin-Veitch, B. (2012). Women with intellectual disability and their body image. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56(7-8), (pp. 758). doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01583_10.x

Conder, J., Mirfin-Veitch, B., & Gates, S. (2012). Being heard: Maximising participation for women with intellectual disability in qualitative research. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56(7-8), (pp. 717). doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01583_10.x

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