Team members

	Aron Shlonsky (MSW, MPH, PhD) Professor Research Associate, Centre for Evidence and Implementation Skills: Child and family services content expertise Longitudinal and Linked Data Analysis Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Design Implementation Science Systematic Reviews Aron Shlonsky is an experienced academic in the child and family services field who has held positions at Columbia University, University of Toronto, and University of Melbourne. He is known internationally for his work in decision-making and the generation, synthesis and implementation of evidence to inform practice and policy in complex social interventions. He has been primary chief investigator, Chief Investigator, or Co-Investigator on over 70 contracts and grants in Australia and internationally and has published more than 150 books, peer-reviewed articles, and government reports. You might find him playing the piano every now and then.
	Rebecca Featherston (BSc, PhD, MSW) Research Fellow Skills: Child and family welfare; family and domestic violence Decision making and bias Risk assessment Evidence synthesis and systematic reviews Quantitative and qualitative methods Rebecca Featherston is a Research Fellow/Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Social Work at Monash University, Australia. Her research interests encompass areas of critical thinking, cognitive bias and decision-making in social service systems - particularly how good evidence and data science can improve risk assessment and interventions that drive real-world outcomes for service users. Bec holds a PhD in Behavioural Ecology and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Melbourne.
	Jessica Roberts (BA/BSc, PhD) Research Fellow Skills: Study design and problem solving Linking and managing complex, longitudinal datasets Interpreting and analysing data with statistics Answering broader questions with individual-based computer models Jessica Roberts is a quantitative researcher whose work focuses on evaluating how effectively social programs reach and support their intended populations. Such programs have been aimed at reducing homelessness, providing public and community housing, and improving stability and safety for youth (particularly for those involved in child protection and out of home care). Jessica completed her PhD in ecology, and she currently enjoys painting, reading, walking her dog, and swimming.
	Lisa Hodgkin (PhD) Research Fellow Skills: Cleaning, linking and managing large datasets Problem-solving Quantitative methods and design Lisa Hodgkin is a quantitative data analyst with a background in experimental biological research. She completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne, during which time she gained extensive experience identifying and solving problems, designing and implementing projects, and managing and analysing data. Lisa primarily works on team projects collaborating with different institutions and aiding in evaluation design, analysis of datasets and report writing. She loves to knit, crochet and play board games in her spare time.
	Titus Tang (PhD) Research Fellow Skills: Deep learning Data engineering Computer Vision Natural Language Processing Titus Tang is an experienced Deep Learning Engineer with experience developing AI/machine learning models. He has a PhD in Computer Systems and Computer Vision Engineering and specialises in Deep Learning and Neural Networks with in-depth, hands-on experience building models for real world applications, both in research and in industry. He also loves rock climbing and all things gardening.
	David Taylor (MIPH, MEc(SocSci)(Hons)) Research Fellow Skills: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Causal Inference Economic Evaluation Implementation Science Data visualisation David is an economist and quantitative researcher with a background in public policy consulting, and he has spent over a decade developing and synthesising evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of complex interventions in health and social welfare. His research interests lie in the application of econometric methods to determine the impact of policies and interventions designed to improve the human capital of populations facing adversity. Outside of work, you might find him bikepacking, bushwalking, and cosplaying as a handyman.
	Mitchell Hargreaves (BEng/BSc) Research Software Specialist Skills: Deep Learning High Performance Computing System Administration Application Development Mitchell Hargreaves is experienced with training and deploying deep learning models as well as building data engineering pipelines. He is the developer and system administrator for MLeRP (Machine Learning eResearch Platform) - a HPC optimised for interactive research using machine learning. He also has experience working with researchers build applications of all kinds. Outside of work you can often find him at a local game store playing trading card games.
	Tamara Johnson (PhD) Research Fellow Skills: Team management Organisation Problem solving Tamara is a research fellow with experience in a range of fields. She has had various management and administrative roles within the hospitality industry, developing extensive leadership and organisational skills. Tamara also gained experience in designing, conducting and analysing research projects whilst completing her PhD in biological sciences. As a project manager, she works with the team to complete a range of projects in collaboration with other institutions. In her spare time Tamara enjoys tending to her extensive indoor plant collection and knitting.

Shlonsky Group

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Team members