About

Judith is a distinguished "Pracademic”, adeptly connecting theory with practice. She integrates over 12 years of experience as a conflict resolution practitioner, researcher, and educator/trainer both in Australia and internationally.

Judith is an internationally respected researcher with notable expertise in qualitative studies with vulnerable populations. Her PhD, focusing on justice for victim-survivors of sexual violence, has earned her multiple awards. For her thesis, Judith received the Dean's Award for Research Higher Degree Excellence 2022. Her thesis can be accessed here. Judith has published widely in conflict resolution, violence against women and genocide, and has presented at multiple national and international conferences. She has recently published an ebook on Neuroscience, Psychology and COnflict Management, which can be viewed here. Together with her colleague Claire Holland, Judith is currently involved in action research on the topic of “conflict analysis and sustainable conflict engagement for enduring conflict”. A presentation on this research can be viewed here.

As a Senior Lecturer and Director of the postgraduate Conflict Management and Resolution program at James Cook University, Judith has significantly contributed to curriculum development, student engagement and program enhancement. She has also engaged extensively in conflict resolution training across various professional sectors, including education, business, sports management, and higher degree research, demonstrating her expertise as an educator and trainer.

Judith is a nationally accredited mediator under the Australian Standards (NMAS) and trained in conflict management coaching, group facilitation and restorative justice group conferencing. Judith has been practising as a conflict management specialist since 2011 through her consultancy "Conflict Coaching Cairns" and as mediator on the mediation panel at the Cairns Dispute Resolution Centre.

Furthermore, Judith's expertise extends to public speaking, with a repertoire of hundreds of presentations, guest lectures, and webinars covering diverse topics such as conflict resolution processes and skills, cross-cultural conflict resolution, transitional justice, genocide, and violence against women. She has given a TEDx talk on building resilience through forgiveness, relating to her PhD research in Rwanda, which can be viewed here. She also won the JCU 3-Minute-Thesis competition in 2020 and the People’s Choice Award in 2020. Her presentation can be viewed here.

Beside her PhD in Conflict Resolution Judith's holds a Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution, a Graduate Business Administrator Diploma, and a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.

Her expertise in research, practice, and training, combined with her diverse formal education in conflict resolution, psychology, and business administration, enable Judith to address complex issues with a holistic perspective. Her professional roles range from academia to consulting, media and marketing, allowing her to apply her expertise across various settings and cultures.

Judith's commitment to conflict resolution extends beyond her professional duties, evident in her leadership role at Mediators Beyond Borders Oceania (MBBO) and her involvement in multiple professional associations. Her research focus on vulnerable populations reflects her advocacy for social justice, while her contributions to conferences and publications amplify critical dialogues in conflict resolution.

Judith is committed to promoting constructive conflict resolution and accessible justice, aiming to empower people who suffer conflict and/or violence through research, advocacy, and practical interventions. Her vision is to create environments where conflicts are addressed constructively, justice is accessible, and victim-survivors feel empowered and supported, fostering healing and positive change in individuals and communities.

Teaching
  • LB5515: Workplace Conflict Management (Level 5; TSV)
  • LB5526: Sustainable Conflict Management (Level 5; TSV)
  • LB5532: Topical Issues in Conflict Management and Resolution - Restorative Justice: Group Conferencing (Level 5; TSV)
  • LB5537: Neuroscience, Psychology and Conflict (Level 5; TSV)
Interests
Professional
  • Conflict management and resolution services, including conflict management coaching, mediation and group facilitation
Research
  • Experiences of victim-survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence with justice processes
  • Justice needs of victim-survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence
  • Transitional Justice dealing with conflict-related sexual violence, in particular the Rwandan gacaca courts
  • Genocide Studies, in particular on the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994
  • Evaluation of restorative justice programs
  • Conflict analysis and strategies for constructive engagement in enduring conflict
  • Experiences of people in conflict, including conflict between HDR advisors and HDR students
  • Emotions in conflict
Experience
  • 2017 to 2024 - Mediator, Dispute Resolution Branch (Cairns)
  • 2012 to 2024 - Conflict Resolution Specialist, Private Conflict Management Business (Cairns)
  • 2011 - Research and training development in Conflict Resolution, International Rescue Committee (Central African Republic)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
Other research outputs
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Building Peace in A Complex Heterogeneous State: A Study of South Sudan?s Conflict Complexities, Peacebuilding Opportunities and Adaptive Practices. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

Connect with me
Share my profile
Share my profile:
jcu.me/judith.rafferty

Email
Phone
Location
Advisory Accreditation
Secondary Advisor
Find me on…
Icon for ORCID profile Icon for Google Scholar profile Icon for online blog Icon for Twitter profile page Icon for Academia.edu profile

Similar to me

  1. Simone Ross
    Medicine
  2. Prof Kate Domett
    Medicine
  3. Dr Tracey Ahern
    Nursing and Midwifery
  4. Claire Holland
    Cairns Institute