RESEARCHER PROFILE
Sheena Olsen
Indigenous Research Officer & Consultant Facilitator
Sheena Olsen is an experienced Indigenous Research Officer and Consultant Facilitator with over six years of dedicated research and evaluation experience, alongside 15 years of casework and community engagement across Western NSW.
15+
Years of experience
6+
Years research & evaluation
10
Major research projects
Qualifications & Accreditations
Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
Diploma in Law of National Indigenous Legal Advocacy (Tranby College)
Cert IV in Aboriginal Research and Theory Practice (Lowitja College and AHMRC)
Cert IV in Training and Assessment
Statement of Attainment in Project Management
Family Group Conferencing Facilitator (ACWA accredited)
Approved DCJ panel facilitator and Aboriginal Assessor
RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
Research Projects
2023
Stop It At the Start Campaign Research
Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre of Australia (CIRCA) and Kantar
Facilitated three online focus groups with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women, and young people as part of an Australian Government research project exploring community attitudes towards violence against women and children.
Methodology: Focus group facilitation, qualitative research.
2022–2023
Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Research
Department of Social Services via CIRCA
Facilitated focus groups with sector stakeholders to inform the design of Safe Places Emergency Accommodation — funded housing for women and children leaving domestic and family violence. Participants included First Nations women, CALD communities, and women with disability.
Methodology: Focus group facilitation, stakeholder engagement.
2022–2023
Uniting First Nations Strategy
Uniting
Worked alongside the Aboriginal Strategy and Engagement Unit to develop culturally appropriate practice frameworks and service models. Contributed to an insights paper outlining a 10-year roadmap strategic plan. Co-developed the Uniting First Nations Strategy, approved by the Uniting Board of Directors in March 2023.
Methodology: Strategic planning, framework development, organisational review.
2022–2023
OAMS Out of Home Care Service Establishment
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS)
Provided consultancy to support the establishment of OAMS's Out of Home Care service, including culturally appropriate practice frameworks, policy and procedure development, and internal organisational review.
Methodology: Program establishment, policy development, organisational review.
2022
NSW Out of Home Care Evaluation
CIRCA
Conducted interviews with Aboriginal carers, children, parents, and caseworkers to evaluate the NSW Government's out-of-home care system. Report and recommendations outlined improvements to outcomes for children, families, and carers.
Methodology: Qualitative interviews, program evaluation.
2021–2022
Three Rivers Regional Assembly Housing Evaluation
Aboriginal Housing Office and Three Rivers Regional Assembly
Contracted by AHO to facilitate community workshops across 12 communities within the Three Rivers Regional Assembly footprint. Sole author of a 132-page report with recommendations on meeting the housing needs of Aboriginal people in regional NSW.
Methodology: Community workshops, report writing, housing needs assessment.
2021–2022
Local Decision-Making Program Evaluation
Australian National University
Indigenous Research Officer for ANU's Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. Co-developed discussion guides, consent forms, and interview guides to evaluate the NSW Government's Local Decision-Making Program across four regional alliance sites.
Methodology: Research design, interview methodology, program evaluation.
2020–2021
TAG Project - Talking About Aboriginal Gambling
ANU and NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Service
Indigenous Research Officer on the Talking About Aboriginal Gambling (TAG) project. Engaged Elders, leaders, and community members across multiple communities to co-design a digital resource aimed at reducing gambling harm. Project used Randomised Control Trial methodology.
Methodology: Randomised Control Trial, community co-design, digital resource development.
2017–2019
Family Is Culture Report
UNSW and Department of Communities and Justice
Independent Review Officer on the Aboriginal Independent Review Team, contributing to the landmark Family Is Culture Report. Reviewed Aboriginal children's files and made systemic recommendations for future DCJ practice and policy.
Methodology: Independent review, file review, systemic recommendations.
2015–2017
Aboriginal Aftercare Statewide Service
Uniting
Aboriginal Project Officer. Developed, delivered, and managed a new DCJ-funded statewide service supporting young Aboriginal people transitioning out of care. Successfully transitioned 26 young people into secured accommodation within an 18-month period.
Methodology: Program development, service delivery, case management.