Personal profile
Research Biography
I live and work on the lands of the Kaurna people, and I acknowledge their sovereignty as First Nations people. I am a professor in psychology and my mixed-methods research focuses primarily on gender, family, and wellbeing. Specifically, I have examined public attitudes to family diversity, trans parents, fertility preservation, heterosexual first time parents, surrogacy, foster care, animal companionship, domestic violence, and embryo donation for formation formation.
Research Interests
- kinship studies
- child protection
- LGBTQ social science research
- health education
- wellbeing in marginalised communities
Completed Supervisions
- Psychology (2)
- foster care, specialist care, residential care, child protection (1)
Supervision
- Registered
Research Areas
- Psychology
- Social work
- Women's and gender studies
Supervisory Interests
- Family responses to grief and loss
- Gender and sexuality
- Child protection
- Family development
- Family changes in Australia
- Sexual health and family planning
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A Qualitative Study of Neurodivergent-Affirming Approaches in an Alternative Educational Setting in South Australia
Caesar, D., Riggs, D. W., Rosenberg, S., Vu, K. & Dunk-West, P., 2 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Australasian Journal of Special and Inclusive Education. 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
A scoping review of podcasting in social work education: a loose continuum from communication platform to critical pedagogy
Bacon, K. B., Lohmeyer, B. A. & Riggs, D. W., 17 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Social Work Education. 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Experiences of parental regret among Australian foster parents
Riggs, D. W., Rosenberg, S. & Blythe, S., Jan 2026, In: Adoption and Fostering. 50, 1, p. 65-76 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Exploring the Role of Migration Status in Pregnancy Loss Attributions, Experiences, and Support in Australia
Riggs, D. W. & Due, C., May 2026, In: Omega (United States). 93, 1, p. 584-596 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)86 Downloads (Pure) -
Navigating Normative Narratives: Understanding Familial Communicative Behaviors and Practices About Trans Young People’s Embodiment
Arora, M., Riggs, D. W., Katz-Wise, S. L., Skelton, S., Schmitt, P. A. & Pullen Sansfaçon, A., 2026, In: LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. 22, 1, p. 55-75 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
4 Citations (Scopus)
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Seen, Heard and Supported: Co-designing an evidence-based Young Carers service model
Lohmeyer, B. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)) & Riggs, D. (Chief Investigator)
3/04/25 → 3/04/29
Project: Research
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TASV: Trauma Aware School Village: Tackling Childhood Trauma Through Multidisciplinary Co-design
Lohmeyer, B. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Abdullah, A. (Chief Investigator), McGregor, J. (Chief Investigator), Batterham, D. (Chief Investigator), Elliott, S. (Chief Investigator), Riggs, D. (Chief Investigator), Takarangi, M. (Chief Investigator) & Cook, P. (Chief Investigator)
1/12/24 → 30/11/26
Project: Research
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Developing an Inclusive Mental Healthcare Model of Care for LGBTQ people in South Australia
Riggs, D. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Ussher, J. (Chief Investigator), Newman, C. (Chief Investigator), Due, C. (Chief Investigator), Num, S. (Chief Investigator), Rosenberg, S. (Chief Investigator), Shannon, B. (Chief Investigator), Dawson, S. (Chief Investigator), Nield, R. (Chief Investigator), Urry, K. (Chief Investigator), Uink, B. (Chief Investigator), Smith, A. (Chief Investigator), Hunter, S. (Chief Investigator) & Wilkins, H. (Chief Investigator)
1/03/24 → 31/08/28
Project: Research
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Improving health outcomes via the Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children
Riggs, D. (Chief Investigator (Flinders Lead)), Pang, K. C. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Skinner, S. R. (Chief Investigator), Davies, C. (Chief Investigator), Anderson, J. (Chief Investigator), Bourne, A. (Chief Investigator), Lin, A. (Chief Investigator), Perry, Y. (Chief Investigator) & Cheung, A. S. (Chief Investigator)
Project: Research
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Developing models of sexual health care for LGBTQA+ people living with disability
Power, R. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Ussher, J. (Chief Investigator), Wilson, N. (Chief Investigator), Hawkey, A. (Chief Investigator), Riggs, D. (Chief Investigator (Flinders Lead)), Strnadova, I. (Chief Investigator), Bateson, D. (Chief Investigator), Quilliam, C. (Chief Investigator), Badawi, N. (Chief Investigator), Dew, A. (Chief Investigator), Burns, J. (Chief Investigator) & Turner, G. (Chief Investigator)
Project: Research