Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
With a diverse career in research and consulting that has spanned the US, the UK, Singapore and Australia, Abby has conducted research, program evaluation and communications work across a range of projects and clients. She has a strong working practice of quantitative and qualitative methods and extensive experience with surveys, interviewing and facilitating focus groups.
Abby has an undergraduate degree in neuroscience and history from Harvard (USA). She obtained an M.Phil. in Criminological Research at Cambridge University (UK). Abby returned to Cambridge on a Gates Scholarship for her PhD, which she is currently completing.
Her doctoral research is a study of three residential therapeutic programs in US prisons which analyses the key elements for fostering positive social environments in prisons. The study points to the importance of implementation in understanding ‘what works’ in reducing reoffending, arguing that how programs are implemented is as important as how they are designed. Abby has also collaborated in an interdisciplinary study of the impact of ‘green’ design, architecture and programming in prisons.
Prior to working with BWA, Abby has served in a number of research, teaching and consulting roles. This includes designing and teaching courses in the fields of psychology and criminology at Cambridge University, conducting behavioural research with cotton-top tamarins at Harvard’s Cognitive Evolution Lab, conducting doctoral research as a part of Cambridge’s Prison Research Centre and serving on the board of a venture capital firm. In her previous role as a consultant at First Person Consulting, Abby worked on a range of projects including evaluating programs aimed at social connectedness for the Movember Foundation and evaluating school-based obesity prevention programs for ACT Health.
Research interests
* Social inclusion, social connectedness and social disadvantage;
* Prison sociology, narrative criminology and religious life in prisons;
* Feminist theory;
* Biophilic design and justice architecture;
* Understanding the elements of 'enabling environments', that promote well-being and social connection
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):
Education/Academic qualification
Criminology, M.Phil, University of Cambridge
2004 → 2005
Award Date: 20 May 2019
History and Science (Mind, Brain and Behavior), Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University
2000 → 2004
External positions
Board, Australian African Foundation for Retention of Opportunity
Jan 2019 → 2020
Director of Grants, Hospice and Palliative Care of Wood River Valley
Jun 2017 → Mar 2023
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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ACLCF: Analysing Change for a Lower Carbon Future
Buntine, W., Cooke, F. L., Nagtzaam, G., Mendoza Alcantara, A., Wild, A., Senders, M. & Convery, A.
1/03/20 → 28/02/21
Project: Research
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Evidence reviews
Bragge, P., Lennox, A., Boulet, M., Curtis, J., Slattery, P., Meis-Harris, J. & Wild, A., 2024, The Method. Smith, L., Curtis, J., Bragge, P. & Kellner, P. (eds.). 1st ed. Melbourne Vic Australia: Monash University Publishing, p. 13-40 28 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Other
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Extreme temperatures in buildings
Nagtzaam, G. & Wild, A., 2024, Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation in Australia. Nagtzaam, G., O'Bryan, K. & Beaufoy, M. (eds.). 1st ed. Chatswood NSW Australia: Lexis Nexis, p. 255-281 27 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review
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Public narratives of disadvantage across multiple groups in Australia: a research map and practice reflections
Bragge, P., Angus, S., Fischer, A., Lennox, A., Piquero, A. R., Reddel, T., Smith, L., Walsh, L., Wickes, R., Wild, A. & Faulkner, N., 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Australian Journal of Social Issues. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Gender-based violence policy reform: assessing the risks and public value of co-production with survivors
Wheildon, L., Flynn, A., True, J. & Wild, A., 14 Jun 2023, In: Journal of Gender-Based Violence. 7, 3, p. 450-466 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus) -
The Batty effect: Victim-survivors and domestic and family violence policy change
Wheildon, L., True, J., Flynn, A. & Wild, A., May 2022, In: Violence Against Women. 28, 6-7, p. 1684-1707 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
19 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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2021 PHRP Excellence Awards - Best InPractice Paper
Kunstler, Brea (Recipient), Goodwin, Denise (Recipient), Wild, Abby (Recipient) & Skouteris, Helen (Recipient), 18 Dec 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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One behaviour at a time - transforming the work of Industry through the "Applying Behavioural Science to Create Change" micro-credential
Garivaldis, Filia (Recipient), Wild, Abby (Recipient), Saeri, Alexander (Recipient), Bos, Annette (Recipient), Goodwin, Denise (Recipient), Riley, Emmy (Recipient), Tull, Fraser (Recipient), Paine, Geoff (Recipient), Raj, Kavya (Recipient), Aubanty, Kazi (Recipient), Jungbluth, Lena (Recipient), Smith, Liam (Recipient), Jaovisidha, Malaika (Recipient), Boulet, Mark (Recipient), Santoso, Melissa (Recipient), Fadelli, Michelle (Recipient), Kneebone, Sarah (Recipient) & Kaufman, Stefan (Recipient), 14 Nov 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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We asked multicultural communities how best to communicate COVID-19 advice. Here’s what they told us
Abby Wild, Brea Kunstler, Denise Goodwin & Helen Skouteris
17/07/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Lots of people want to help nature after the bushfires – we must seize the moment
Denise Goodwin, Abby Wild & Melissa Hatty
4/02/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature