My research interests largely focus on the interrelated influences of micro, meso and macro social contexts on human social behaviours and relationships. Specific areas of interest in research and teaching include the iterative influences on social behaviours and structures relating to strategies of social governance. These include research projects related to social policy, which forms the basis of my PhD; social outcomes of drug use, crime and deviance for the Australian Institute of Criminology; and similar work in conjunction with the Military Organisation and Culture Studies group and UniSA. I have extensive experience of fieldwork-based social-research in challenging settings working with diverse... Read more
About me
My research interests largely focus on the interrelated influences of micro, meso and macro social contexts on human social behaviours and relationships. Specific areas of interest in research and teaching include the iterative influences on social behaviours and structures relating to strategies of social governance. These include research projects related to social policy, which forms the basis of my PhD; social outcomes of drug use, crime and deviance for the Australian Institute of Criminology; and similar work in conjunction with the Military Organisation and Culture Studies group and UniSA. I have extensive experience of fieldwork-based social-research in challenging settings working with diverse participants. Research efforts have largely seen me engage closely with stakeholders in the field, where building meaningful collaboration between communities, industry and academia remain significant in extending what we can learn for the benefit of Australian society.
About me
Bachelor of Health Science The University of South Australia
Dates / Organisation / Role / Function
02/2022 - current University of South Australia Researcher
02/2018 - current University of South Australia PhD Candidate
02/2015 - current University of South Australia Course Coordinator
05/2019 - 02/2020 Australian Red Cross Volunteer (remote region)
01/2018 - 11/2021 Australian Institute of Criminology Research Assistant
02/2017 - 11/2021 Flinders University Student Tutor
09/2017 – 02/2018 Adelaide University Research Assistant
12/2016 – 01/2018 University of South Australia Research Assistant & Project Manager
04/2014 – 12/2016 University of South Australia Research Assistant
02/2014 - 11/2014 University of South Australia Assistant Research Project Officer
07/2013 - 08/2014 OzHarvest AdelaideVolunteer – differing roles.
Stevens, K. 2020, "Subversive Control Via Punitive Means? The role of stigma and profit in Australia's cashless debit card policy", Social Alternatives, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 5-13.
Scholarships and grants obtained:
Freilich Foundation Early Career Researcher Grant - recipient 2018
University of South Australia High Achiever Research Vacation Scholarship – recipient 2016/2017.
University of South Australia Honours Conference Scholarship – 2016.
Australian Health Promotion Association Professional Development Grant – 2016.
University of South Australia Student Association Leadership Grant – 2016.
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below.
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
|
| 2020 |
9
9
156
|
| 2019 |
21
|
| 2019 |
Open access
10
8
21
|
Conference presentations:
Canadian Sociological Association (Congress 2020) - June 2020, 'Colonial oppression, racism and the powerful: Contextual explorations of Australia's cashless debit card in the lives of recipients and their communities' - Session: Social Inequality and Social Policy, Kristen Stevens (conference cancelled due to Covid19 pandemic).
Social Suffering in the Neoliberal Age: Classificatory Logic and Systems of Governance - July 2019, 'The shifting state of Australian Welfare: Seeking a contextual understanding of the influence of Australia’s cashless debit card social policy in the lives of recipients and their communities', Kristen Stevens.
International Sociological Association - July 2018, 'Forecasting the Social Return on Investment Associated with Children's Participation in Circus-Arts Training on Their Mental Health and Well-Being', Kristen Stevens & Richard Mcgrath.
Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation – January 2017, ‘Using a school-based circus training program to develop student and teacher skills’, Richard McGrath & Kristen Stevens.
SA Population Health Conference – October 2016, ‘Exploring the impact of a school-based circus skills training program on teachers’ and students’ skill development’, Poster Format, Richard McGrath & Kristen Stevens.
Optimising Health: Salutogenic approaches to health practice, policy, research and education – October 2016, ‘Why Circus Works: A mixed-methods approach in identifying the salutogenic potential of a circus-based training program for young people’, Honours Research, Kristen Stevens.
Australian Health Promotion Association - June 2016, ‘Cirkidz in Schools Project 2015: Developing teacher skills through a school-based Circus training program’, Kristen Stevens & Richard McGrath.
Australia and New Zealand Association of Leisure Studies - December 2015, ‘Cirkidz in Schools Project 2014: The impacts of circus-based training on children’s motivation and engagement’, Kristen Stevens & Richard McGrath.
Research
Stevens, K. 2020, "Subversive Control Via Punitive Means? The role of stigma and profit in Australia's cashless debit card policy", Social Alternatives, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 5-13.
Scholarships and grants obtained:
Freilich Foundation Early Career Researcher Grant - recipient 2018
University of South Australia High Achiever Research Vacation Scholarship – recipient 2016/2017.
University of South Australia Honours Conference Scholarship – 2016.
Australian Health Promotion Association Professional Development Grant – 2016.
University of South Australia Student Association Leadership Grant – 2016.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Teaching & student supervision
