CQSW PhD (Brist) CertWSt (Open)
Contact details
Room 6C17, Richardson Building
Tel +64 3 479 5677
Email anita.gibbs@otago.ac.nz
Anita trained as a social worker in the UK and worked in criminal justice, notably probation. She completed her PhD at the University of Bristol and after postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford she moved to Otago in 1999. She has taught numerous social work, sociology and criminology courses since with a particular interest in teaching in the area of families. Her research studies have included electronic monitoring, mental health, adoption, transcultural parenting, defining social work research, making social work accessible to sociologists, auto-ethnography, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and its impact on families, and the scholarship of publication. Anita is a registered social worker and facilitates a parent support group for families where FASD is an issue.
Teaching
I co-ordinate and teach:
Postgraduate supervision
- Adoption
- Fostering
- FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)
- Qualitative Research
- Social Work Research
- Family Welfare and Policy
- Hidden/Invisible Disabilities
Current and recent students
Penelope Kinney (PhD)
Transitions from hospital to community with a regional forensic service
Suzi Wereta (PhD)
Exploration of youth suicide among Māori
Harriet Toa (Honours)
Parental capacity of parents with intellectual disability
Angela Jackson (Honours)
Achieving permanence through Home for Life
Amanda Kennedy (Honours)
Promising Interventions for Mothers and Children with Maternal Problematic Substance Misuse
Publications
Gibbs, A., Dove, K., & Chu, J. (2022, November). Social work perspectives on FASD. Webinar presentation for The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD). [Webinar].
Gibbs, A. (2022, October). The criminalisation of children and youth with neurodisabilities in Aotearoa New Zealand. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Inaugural Professorial Lecture].
Gibbs, A. (2022, September). What needs to change for caregivers. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day webinar: FASD in Aotearoa: Where we are now. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv13YvHpR6A&feature=youtu.be
Gibbs, A. (2022, September). "Kia Ora" with Professor Anita Gibbs. Pregnancy and Alcohol: The Surprising Reality Podcast by NOFASD Australia. Retrieved from https://www.nofasd.org.au/30-kia-ora-with-professor-anita-gibbs/
Gibbs, A. (2022, September). Best practices for justice: Practitioner views on understanding and helping youth living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Living with Disability (LiDs) Research Centre Seminar Series: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness and practitioner views, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHsW3HKvLlk&t=2607s
Gibbs, A., & King, D. (2001). The electronic ball and chain? The development, operation and impact of home detention in New Zealand. Dunedin: Community and Family Studies, University of Otago, 122p.
Authored Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (1998). Probation Partnerships: A Study of Roles, Relationships and Meanings. Probation Studies Unit, 7th Report. Oxford: Probation Studies Unit, 70p.
Authored Book - Research
Gibbs, A., & Gilmour, F. E. (Eds.). (2022). Women, crime and justice in context: Contemporary perspectives in feminist criminology from Australia and New Zealand. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 296p. doi: 10.4324/9780429316975
Edited Book - Research
van Heugten, K., & Gibbs, A. (Eds.). (2015). Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 193p.
Edited Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2022). Punishment in the community: Community sentences and gender. In A. Gibbs & F. E. Gilmour (Eds.), Women, crime and justice in context: Contemporary perspectives in feminist criminology from Australia and New Zealand. (pp. 134-149). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429316975
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2022). Women and girls with neurodisabilities and mental health issues in the criminal justice system. In A. Gibbs & F. E. Gilmour (Eds.), Women, crime and justice in context: Contemporary perspectives in feminist criminology from Australia and New Zealand. (pp. 194-209). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429316975
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A., & Gilmour, F. E. (2022). Conclusions. In A. Gibbs & F. E. Gilmour (Eds.), Women, crime and justice in context: Contemporary perspectives in feminist criminology from Australia and New Zealand. (pp. 253-259). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429316975
Chapter in Book - Research
Gilmour, F. E., & Gibbs, A. (2022). Introduction. In A. Gibbs & F. E. Gilmour (Eds.), Women, crime and justice in context: Contemporary perspectives in feminist criminology from Australia and New Zealand. (pp. 1-12). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429316975
Chapter in Book - Research
Good, G. A., Gibbs, A., & Hollis English, A. (2022). Older, professional mothers: Identity and disability. In S. Mitchell & O. Sanmiguel-Valderrama (Eds.), Where did I go? Reflections on so-called late mothering. (pp. 53-63). Coe Hill, Canada: Demeter Press. doi: 10.2307/j.ctv2wr4wk1.7
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2021). Community sentences: Expanding a system of control and surveillance? In E. Stanley, T. Bradley & S. Monod de Froideville (Eds.), The Aotearoa handbook of criminology. (pp. 225-237). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2021). Focus groups and group interviews. In R. Coe, M. Waring, L. V. Hedges & L. D. Ashley (Eds.), Research methods and methodologies in education. (3rd ed.) (pp. 240-247). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2021). Neuro-disabilities and criminal justice: Time for a radical rethink. In E. Stanley, T. Bradley & S. Monod de Froideville (Eds.), The Aotearoa handbook of criminology. (pp. 358-369). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2018). Ethical issues when undertaking autoethnographic research with families. In R. Iphofen & M. Tolich (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research ethics. (pp. 148-160). London, UK: SAGE.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2015). Analyzing and solving social problems. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 121-140). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2015). Parenting adopted children from other cultures and supporting adoptive parents to meet the needs of adopted children. In N. V. Roman (Ed.), Parenting: Behaviors, cultural influences and impact on childhood health and well-being. (pp. 99-122). New York: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A., & van Heugten, K. (2015). Conclusion. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 171). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A., & van Heugten, K. (2015). Key social work frameworks for sociologists. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 27-46). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
van Heugten, K., & Gibbs, A. (2015). Introduction. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 1). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
van Heugten, K., & Gibbs, A. (2015). Key values, ethics, and skills for working with people. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 47). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
van Heugten, K., & Gibbs, A. (2015). Overview of the historical and contextual development of sociology and social work. In K. van Heugten & A. Gibbs (Eds.), Social work for sociologists: Theory and practice. (pp. 9-26). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2013). The needs of adopted and fostered children. In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 167-179). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Smith, R. G., & Gibbs, A. (2013). Extending the electronic net in Australia and New Zealand: Developments in electronic monitoring down-under. In M. Nellis, R. Bas, K. Beyens & D. Kaminski (Eds.), Electronically monitored punishment: International and critical perspectives. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2012). Focus groups and group interviews. In J. Arthur, M. Waring, R. Coe & L. V. Hedges (Eds.), Research methods & methodologies in education. (pp. 186-192). London, UK: SAGE.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2005). The paradigms, contexts and enduring conflicts of social work research. In Advances in sociology research, Volume 2. (pp. 135-164). New York: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2000). Action research. In M. Davies (Ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work. (pp. 2). Oxford: Blackwell.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gibbs, A. (2000). New managerialism. In M. Davies (Ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work. (pp. 229-231). Oxford: Blackwell.
Chapter in Book - Research
Smith, R. G., & Gibbs, A. (2021). 호주와 뉴질랜드의 전자감독제도: 전자 망(electronic net)의 확대 [Extending the electronic net in Australia and New Zealand: Developments in electronic monitoring down-under]. In M. Nellis, K. Beyens & D. Kaminski (Eds.), 비교 전자감독 제도론 [Electronically monitored punishment]. (pp. 161-196). Seoul, South Korea: Parkyoung Publishing.
Chapter in Book - Other
Gibbs, A. (2017). Focus groups and group interviews. In R. Coe, M. Waring, L. V. Hedges & J. Arthur (Eds.), Research methodologies & methodologies in education. (2nd ed.) (pp. 190-196). London, UK: SAGE.
Chapter in Book - Other
Dawson, J., Romans, S., Gibbs, A., & Ratter, N. (2005). Ambivalence about community treatment orders (Reprinted from International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 26, pp. 243-255). In J. Peay (Ed.), Seminal issues in mental health law. (pp. 409-421). Aldershot, England: Ashgate.
Chapter in Book - Other
Gibbs, A., Bagley, K., Badry, D., & Gollner, V. (2020). Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Effective helping responses from social workers. International Social Work, 63(4), 496-509. doi: 10.1177/0020872818804032
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2019). An evidence-based training and support course for caregivers of children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in New Zealand. Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 12(1/2), 73-84. doi: 10.1108/ADD-10-2018-0013
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2017). Beyond colour-blindness: Enhancing cultural and racial identity for adopted and fostered children in cross-cultural and transracial families. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 29(4), 74-83.
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A., & Sherwood, K. (2017). Putting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on the map in New Zealand: A review of health, social, political, justice and cultural developments. Psychiatry, Psychology & Law, 24(6), 825-842. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2017.1315784
Journal - Research Article
Good, G. A., Hollis-English, A., Attwell, A., Dickson, A., Gibbs, A., Gordon, J., & Taylor, J. M. T. (2017). Social-model mothers: Disability, advocacy, and activism. Counterfutures, (4), 107-135. Retrieved from http://counterfutures.nz
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2016). Improving publication: Advice for busy higher education academics. International Journal for Academic Development, 21(3), 255-258. doi: 10.1080/1360144X.2015.1128436
Journal - Research Article
Jackson, A., & Gibbs, A. (2016). New Zealand's Home for Life policy: Telling children they matter but only for three years. International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family, 30(3), 322-337. doi: 10.1093/lawfam/ebw007
Journal - Research Article
Haenga-Collins, M., & Gibbs, A. (2015). 'Walking between worlds': The experiences of New Zealand Māori cross-cultural adoptees. Adoption & Fostering, 39(1), 62-75. doi: 10.1177/0308575914565082
Journal - Research Article
Gilling, A. (2014). Jasper's story: 'Letting me down and picking me up' – one boy's story of despair and hope at primary schools in England. Adoption & Fostering, 38(1), 60-72. doi: 10.1177/0308575913518001
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2013). The power of one: Why auto-ethnography, solo service-user voice and reflective case study analysis are useful strategies for researching family-centred social work practice. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 25(4), 15-24.
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2013). What would a scholarship of publication look like? Higher Education Research & Development, 32(4), 687-689. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2013.803310
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A., & Scherman, R. (2013). Pathways to parenting in New Zealand: issues in law, policy and practice. Kōtuitui, 8(1-2), 13-26. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2013.821077
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A., & Stirling, B. (2013). ‘It’s about people and their environment’: Student social workers’ definitions of social work research. Social Work Education, 32(3), 317-330. doi: 10.1080/02615479.2012.658365
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2012). What do social work students think social work research is? Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 24(2), 19-26.
Journal - Research Article
Johnstone, J., & Gibbs, A. (2012). 'Love them to bits; spend time with them; have fun with them': New Zealand parents' views of building attachments with their newly adopted Russian children. Journal of Social Work, 12(3), 225-245. doi: 10.1177/1468017310381289
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2011). Going to the courts twice: A critical appraisal of the UK's policy of re-adoption for intercountry adoptions. Children & Society, 25(6), 482-488. doi: 10.1111/j.1099-0860.2011.00391.x
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2011). ‘Having to adopt children twice is not in the children's best interests’: A reflective case study analysis of intercountry adoption policy in the UK. Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, 33(3), 267-277. doi: 10.1080/09649069.2011.626247
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2010). Coping with compulsion: Women's views of being on a community treatment order. Australian Social Work, 63(2), 223-233. doi: 10.1080/03124070903265740
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A. (2010). Parenting adopted children and supporting adoptive parents: Messages from research. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 22(2), 44-52.
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A., & Stirling, B. (2010). Reflections on designing and teaching a social work research course for distance and on-campus students. Social Work Education, 29(4), 441-449. doi: 10.1080/02615470902995552
Journal - Research Article
Gibbs, A., McKenzie, M., & Dempster, C. (2007). 'It's a bonus, without it I wouldn't even have a visit': Parents' views of supervised contact centres in New Zealand. Practice, 19(4), 285-297.
Journal - Research Article