News

INDICATE investigators have co-authored their first paper from the INDICATE project in the International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. The paper is available through Open Access.

The paper presents the findings of a scoping review and combined doctrinal analysis examining literature on human rights indicators in both the CRPD and mental health context. It presents the rationale for a co-designed indicator for the mental health context that includes a full, integrated assessment of the CRPD across society.

Read the full article via this link.

INDICATE’s Co-design Group will make key decisions in the development of the CRPD indicator, ensuring it is informed by lived experience expertise.

We’re glad to be able to share that the following individuals have joined the project’s Co-design Group.

• Ailsa Rayner
• Anita Conlon
• Belinda Robson
• Chelsea Tunnicliffe
• Daria Li
• Helena Roennfeldt
• Jarrad Sharrock
• Neil Turton-Lane
• Rosiel Elwyn
• Sharon Williams
• Tash Gore
• Tess Marotta

INDICATE’s Advisory and Implementation Group will provide invaluable strategic governance and professional insight as we develop the CRPD Indicator.

We’re thrilled to be able to share that the following individuals have joined the project’s Advisory and Implementation Group.

• Daniel Stubbs (Office of the Public Advocate)
• A/Professor Frances Dark (Queensland Health)
• Giovanna Franze (Queensland Mental Health Commission)
• Irene Clelland (Arafmi Queensland)
• Jane Vasey (Queensland Human Rights Commission)
• Dr John Chesterman (Queensland Public Advocate)
• Lauren Matthews (Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission)
• Professor Lisa Brophy (Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health)
• Maggie Toko (Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission)
• Dr Marion Byrne (National Employment Services Association)
• A/Professor Rosemary Kayess (Australian Human Rights Commission)
• Simon Katterl (Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland)
• Steven Caruana (Commonwealth Ombudsman)
• Vrinda Edan (Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council)

We’re off to a strong start this year! The INDICATE team has been busy setting up our Co‑design and Advisory and Implementation Group members, launching our website, and submitting a manuscript.

Welcoming Professor Jill Stavert

We’re delighted to host Professor Jill Stavert, our Partner Investigator, in Melbourne this February. During her visit, she’ll connect with researchers and practitioners in mental health and capacity law, present at several events, including a public presentation at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and lead a PhD masterclass at La Trobe Law School.

Welcoming Jessica Rodriguez Garcia

A warm welcome to Jessica Rodriguez Garcia, joining us from Mexico. Jessica’s PhD research will explore the impact of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on Mexican mental health law and practice, bringing valuable insights to indicator development in middle‑resource settings.

Looking ahead: Visit from Professor Benedict Kingsbury

In March, we’ll support the La Trobe Law School’s International Comparative Law Cluster in hosting  Professor Benedict Kingsbury (NYU). His influential work on indicators and information infrastructures, conducted with the late Professor Sally Engle Merry, offers an exciting opportunity for collaboration.

Above: Piers, Chris, and Jill standing smiling in front of the La Trobe Law School banner.

In December 2025, Dr Panos Karanikolas presented on the INDICATE project at the inaugural conference of the Disability, Law and Society Network of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand at the University of Technology Sydney. A standout moment was the keynote panel featuring Dr Rosemary Kayess, Professor Scott Avery, and international guest, Professor Sheila Wildeman.

We’re thrilled that Dr Rosemary Kayess, Disability Discrimination Commissioner and former Chair and Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has now joined our Advisory and Implementation Group.

Above: Panos standing and presenting at a lectern in a university lecture room, in front of a PowerPoint projection.