Peter Smith

Peter completed his PhD at the University of Sydney in 2018. His thesis entitled "A Systems Analysis of Factors that lead to the Successful Employment of People with a Disability" which examined the current systems of employment supports for people with a disability.

The research led to a new understanding and provided evidence towards the development of new systems that will support better employment outcomes for people with a disability. This research into a new systems model of disability employment informs CDERP's research and work. The systems model that was developed as part of his thesis is undergoing further development through a rigorous research agenda. Peter is the Director of the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP) and consults, researches and lectures on disability, organisational change & transition and disability employment-related areas in Australia, Singapore, USA and New Zealand. Peter works with the Centre for Social Capital in the USA working on issues related to disability employment, and works with providers, researchers and officials in the USA, New Zealand and Australia. He is a regular speaker at APSE conferences and local events. Peter recently developed a new disability employment outcome measure that focuses on the outcomes of employment and is working on a new employment longitudinal database for customised employment and a new model of impairment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and cognitive impairment. He is currently working with the University of Kansas on tools and resources for promoting self-determination in career design for school students. He is also a Visiting Fellowing Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, ILR School, Cornell University NY.