- PhD in Criminology (2012, Monash University),
- Masters of Human Rights Law (2019, University of Melbourne),
- Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (2013, Deakin University)
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2015, Australian Institute of Company Directors)
Kate has completed the Blue Knot Foundation training on ‘Using a Trauma Lens when working with Domestic and Family Violence’ and Koorie Heritage Trust ‘Cultural Safety Training’.
Kate is an internationally recognised scholar in the field of family violence, femicide, responses to violence against women, perpetrator interventions, children and young people, and the impact of policy and practice reform in Australia and internationally. The findings of her research have been published in leading academic journals and books, including: 7 books, 7 edited collections, 50 refereed journal articles and 25 book chapters. Kate has led numerous consultations and public reports, including for the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, several Victorian Government departments, Fair Work Commission, ANROWS, Australian Institute of Criminology, and for corporate organisations including Ikea Australia.
Kate has advised on homicide law reform, family violence and youth justice reviews including in multiple Australian jurisdictions, New Zealand (NZ), England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and to the United Nations and the Officer of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Kate’s research has been cited by the High Court of Australia.
In recognition of her expertise, Kate has been invited to sit on numerous Commonwealth government and Victorian advisory groups to inform reform of whole of system responses to domestic, family and sexual violence. This includes serving as an invited member of the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Trusted Advisory Group on Coercive Control (2021) and the Victorian Government’s Expert Advisory Committee on Perpetrator Interventions (2018).