Researcher

Dr Hazel Blunden

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Economic Geography, Urban and Regional Studies, Social and Cultural Geography, Human Geography not elsewhere classified, Applied Sociology, Program Evaluation and Social I, Urban Sociology and Community Studies, Social Change

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Biography

Hazel is a Senior Research Fellow at the Social Policy Research Centre where she is working on a variety of homelessness and housing-related research projects, as well as others concerned with regional access to vocational and higher education. Hazel Blunden is a social policy specialist with more than 15 years’ experience working on commissioned research projects for NGOs, local and state government, managing projects from inception to...view more

Hazel is a Senior Research Fellow at the Social Policy Research Centre where she is working on a variety of homelessness and housing-related research projects, as well as others concerned with regional access to vocational and higher education. Hazel Blunden is a social policy specialist with more than 15 years’ experience working on commissioned research projects for NGOs, local and state government, managing projects from inception to conclusion.

Hazel has a particular expertise in housing policy issues. She is an AHURI author and has a published a range of book chapters and articles on housing and homelessness issues. Hazel is adept at designing qualitative and quantitative tools, organising and undertaking fieldwork. She has extensive experience in working with vulnerable people of diverse backgrounds and ensuring the active involvement of participants in research.

In addition to research work, Hazel also lectures and tutors as a sessional across a range of social sciences and built environment courses at UNSW.

Prior to joining UNSW, Hazel was Senior Research Assistant at the Urban Research Centre at Western Sydney University where she worked on a variety of research projects for the NSW Government, local Governments, and NGOs. Earlier in her career, Hazel was an advisor to a NSW Parliamentarian in the Housing, Fair Trading and other portfolio areas. Prior to this, Hazel was Policy Officer at housing peak body Shelter NSW, and before that, a Tenant's Advocate at Redfern Legal Centre and Eastern Area Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service

Hazel served for many years in a voluntary capacity on the Inner West Council Affordable Housing Reference Committee.

 

Qualifications:

Ph.D. (Human Geography), Macquarie University, 2002

Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Sociology, La Trobe University, 1994


My Grants

I carry out a variety of contractual research work for governments and NGOs, awarded via competitive tender.


My Qualifications

Ph.D, Macquarie University

BA (Hons.), La Trobe University


My Awards

Vice Chancellors Excellence In Engaged Research Award, Western Sydney University, 2014.


My Research Activities

My research is conducted via the Social Policy Research Centre. Current projects include:

 

  • Program evaluations and studies:  the Foyer Central project (with AHURI), the Educational Pathways Program, the Country Universities Centre program, The wellbeing of St Vincent de Paul Amelie Housing tenants - longitudinal study, the Universal Screening Service pilot program, the Specialist Worker - Children and Youth program in NSW DFV services, the Homes for Families program (with AHURI), the Home and Healthy program (with AHURI), the Justice Advocacy Service,  the Youth Advocacy Program, the Keeping Women Safe initiatives, among others.
  • Various AHURI research projects.
  • These can be viewed on my profile where a full list of publications can be accessed.

My Research Supervision


Areas of supervision

My areas of expertise are housing policy, and social policy in general. 


Currently supervising

I am currently supervising a Masters and PhD student. I supervised one other MA student who has completed.


My Engagement

Hazel is a long-time voluntary member of the Inner West Council Council Affordable Housing Strategic Reference Committee, which advises Inner West Council on housing-related matters.


My Teaching

Hazel Blunden has a continuous record of teaching across social sciences courses (including social research methods, urban studies and political economy) at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), University of New South Wales (NSW), Western Sydney University (WSU) and also earlier on at Macquarie University and University of Sydney. Hazel has convened Masters level courses in FASS at UNSW as well as tutored on a range of undergraduate courses at UTS and UNSW. She has designed course content and managed and delivered face to face and online/blended learning course content. 

Hazel manages blended learning content and course administration as well as doing face to face classes.

2020

Convenor, Social Research and Policy Project SOSS3002, UNSW

Head Tutor, Qualitative Social Research Project, SOSS2001, UNSW

 

2019

Tutor, Social Research and Society SRAP1001, UNSW

Guest lecturer, marking, Research Methods and Design SRAP5101, UNSW

Tutor, Contemporary Global Economy 99208, UTS

Course convenor, Research Methods and Design SRAP5101, UNSW

Lecturer/tutor, Social Research and Policy Project SRAP3002, UNSW

Marking, Research Methods and Design SRAP5103, UNSW

2018

Marking, Research Methods and Design SRAP5101, UNSW

Marking, Theory, Ethics and Research Impact SRAP5102, UNSW

Tutor, Investigating for Change 54053, UTS

Guest lecturer, Past, Present and Future of Innovation 81513, UTS

Tutor, Economy, Society and Globalism 54052, UTS

2017

Lecturer/tutor, Social Research and Policy Project SRAP3002, UNSW

Co-course convenor, Theory, Ethics and Research Impact SRAP5102, UNSW

Tutor, Economics, Society and Globalism 54052, UTS
Tutor, Self and Society 54050, UTS
Co-convenor, Theory, Ethics and Research Impact SRAP5102, UNSW

Co-convenor, Research Methods and Design SRAP5101, UNSW

2016

Tutor, Social Research and Society SRAP1001, UNSW

Co-convenor, Research Methods and Project Design SRAP5101, UNSW

Co-convenor, Research Methods and Project Design SRAP5101, UNSW

 

2015

Tutor, Social Research and Society SRAP1001, UNSW

Tutor, Cities: An Introduction to Urban Studies 101589.2, WSU

Tutor, Social Research Methods 400337.4, WSU

Convenor, Geographies of Social Difference 101556, WSU

2011-2014

Geographies of Social Difference, WSU
Social Research Methods, WSU
Economies and Cities and Regions, WSU
Applied Social Research, WSU 

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Location

Level 2, Goodsell Building

Contact

0437092154