Professor Anita Gibbs is currently a professor of criminology and social work at the University of Otago, in Dunedin, New Zealand. Originally from Exeter (UK), she joined Otago in 1999, where she has been teaching and researching criminal justice, mental health, welfare and disability topics ever since. She became passionate about FASD when parenting her two neuro-divergent adopted children. Her living experience as a caregiver of children with FASD, ADHD and autism has led to extensive engagement and advocacy with the full range of health, welfare, justice, education and disability systems for many years. Anita is a registered social worker, and her practice focuses on training for caregivers and professionals, alongside developing materials to work with neuro-divergent people.

Anita’s current research interests are tailoured to supporting caregivers of children with FASD, and understanding professionals’ perspectives on FASD. Her recent publications include: ‘An Australian online training and support program for caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Families Linking with Families’. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2023.2271757 and ‘No one believed us: no one came to help: caregivers' experiences of violence and abuse involving children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder’. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 45(1): 67-79. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1575