Digital Chaperoning Across the Life Course: Housing, Online Safety and Intergenerational Care
Families today are navigating an increasingly complex digital world, and many adults find themselves quietly supporting children, older parents, or newcomers to technology — managing passwords, setting safety controls, and helping loved ones avoid scams or privacy risks. This everyday work, which can be named as digital chaperoning, is becoming essential as online threats grow and technologies evolve.
Digital Chaperoning Across the Life Course: Housing, Online Safety and Intergenerational Care Workshop brings together researchers, practitioners, and community members to explore how families keep each other safe online and what support they need. The event features expert talks, early research findings, and collaborative discussions aimed at identifying key challenges and shaping future research, resources, and policy directions.
About the speakers / panelists
Dr Piret Veeroja (Swinburne University)
Dr Piret Veeroja is a housing researcher and urban planner at Swinburne University, specialising in how housing conditions shape wellbeing, especially for older adults and vulnerable populations. Her work combines advanced spatial analysis with policy‑relevant research to understand housing precarity and improve equitable city planning.
Associate Professor Jacki Liddle and Dr Peter Worthy (The University of Queensland)
Associate Professor Jacki Liddle is an occupational therapist and researcher focused on quality of life, community participation and technology‑supported communication for older people and those living with neurological conditions.
Dr Peter Worthy is a human‑centred computing researcher whose work explores co‑design, accessibility and user experience, particularly in partnership with people living with dementia and communication impairments.
Gohar Yazdabadi (Council on the Ageing NSW)
Gohar Yazdabadi is the Chief Executive Officer of Council on the Ageing (COTA) NSW, where she leads policy, advocacy and community engagement to improve the lives of older people. A values‑driven leader with experience across government, corporate and not‑for‑profit sectors, she works to advance evidence‑based social policy, particularly for vulnerable older adults.
Liz Daykin (Data Management Association Australia)
Liz Daykin is a Certified Data Management Professional and past President of DAMA Australia, with extensive expertise in data governance and quality. She currently works in investment data governance, advancing industry practice through leadership in data-driven decision‑making and organisational capability building.
Professor Alina Morawska (The University of Queensland)
Professor Alina Morawska is Director of UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre and a leading international scholar in parenting, child development and evidence‑based family interventions. Her research focuses on strengthening positive family relationships and supporting children’s wellbeing through effective, scalable parenting programs.
Dr Kim Osman (Queensland University of Technology)
Dr Kim Osman is a Senior Research Associate at QUT’s Digital Media Research Centre, examining digital and social inclusion, digital literacies and how families—particularly low‑income households—use technology for education and everyday life. Her work highlights the role of social infrastructure in supporting equitable digital participation.
Dr Lemi Baruh (The University of Queensland)
Dr Lemi Baruh is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at UQ, with research spanning online privacy, surveillance, social media, misinformation and the role of digital environments in shaping public opinion. He co‑founded the Social Interaction and Media Lab and brings deep expertise in digital communication and public trust.
Dr Kirsty Volz (Queensland University of Technology)
Dr Kirsty Volz is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at QUT whose research investigates the social, political and cultural dimensions of housing, design governance and built‑environment policy. A registered architect, she specialises in design‑led, equitable and sustainable housing futures, informed by Australia’s housing history and current policy challenges.
Program*
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:30am | Check-in open |
8:55am | Opening by Prof Nic Carah and introduction by Dr Lemi Baruh |
9:15am | Panel 1 – Housing, Ageing, and Quality of Life
|
10:30am | Morning tea |
10:45am | Panel 2 – Online Safety & Care
|
12:00pm | Lunch |
1:00pm | Panel 3 – Preliminary Digital Chaperoning Project Findings
|
1:55pm | Afternoon tea |
2:10pm | Feedback, Validation and Future Directions Using a "quasi-Delphi method," participants will break into groups to discuss the findings presented regarding the Digital Chaperoning Project. Each group will be tasked with addressing pressing research problems and the practical implications for policy and digital literacy resources. |
3:30pm | Workshop concludes |
* Program is subject to change
