Professor Bruce Smyth
BA, PhD
Professor of Family Studies
ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Areas of expertise
- Family Law 180113
- Social Policy 160512
- Family And Household Studies 160301
- Applied Sociology, Program Evaluation And Social Impact Assessment 160801
- Policy And Administration 1605
- Sociology 1608
Research interests
- Post-separation patterns of parenting - particularly shared parenting
- High-conflict divorce
- Child support
- Financial living standards after separation
- Spousal support
- Binding financial agreements
- Relocation and parenting disputes
- Allegations of family violence in family law proceedings
- Allegations of child sexual abuse
- Mandatory divorce mediation
- Digital divorce
- Family life education
- The meaning of 'home' to children and young people after parental separation
- Social research methods
- Human research ethics and integrity
Biography
Bruce was born in London to an English mother and American father (Buffalo, NY). He has been working as a social scientist in family law for almost 3 decades. Prior to joining the ANU in March 2007, Bruce worked at the Australian Institute of Family Studies in Melbourne as a Senior Research Fellow. He was a member of the Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support (2004-2005), and was awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2012-2016) to investigate the high conflict post-divorce shared-time family.
In June 2018, he received the Stanley Cohen Distinguished Research Award from the American Association of Family & Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in recognition of outstanding research and research achievements in the field of family and divorce. In 2021, Bruce and his colleagues were awarded the Meyer Elkin Essay Award for the best article in Family Court Review: COVID-19 in Australia: Impacts on separated families, family law professionals, and family courts.
Bruce is an active member of the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
Researcher's projects
Bruce Smyth, Bryan Rodgers and the research team completed an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project Grant in 2012 to examine the impacts of the 2006-2008 child support reforms in Australia.
Bruce completed (a) an ARC Future Fellowship studying the high-conflict post-divorce shared-time family [write-up in progress]; (b) an ARC Discovery Project with Prof Belinda Fehlberg (Melbourne Law School; Lead CI), A/Prof Kristin Natalier (Flinders University; 2nd CI), and Dr Monica Campo (Melbourne Law School; Senior Research Fellow) on the meaning of 'home' to children after parental separation; and (c) a study of allegations of child sexual abuse in family law procedings - with his colleagues, Nola Webb, Prof Lawrie Moloney and Robyn Monit.
Current projects include:
- an ARC Linkage Project with Prof Jason Payne (University of Wollongong), Dr Genevieve Heard (Relationships Australia Victoria), Dr Glenn Althor (Relationships Australia Canberra and region), and Michelle Irving (ANU);
- a study of binding financial agreements with Miranda Kaye (UTS), Prof Belinda Fehlberg (Melbourne Law School), and A/Prof Lisa Samas (Melbourne Law School);
- co-editing a volume with Prof Michael Martin and Mandy Downing on Human Research Ethics and Integrity from an Australian perspective (Routledge).
Current student projects
Giverney Ainscough, Doctoral candidate: Working with disability and illness inclusion policy: Lecturer, student and Inclusion staff perspectives
Nathan Wiltshire, Doctoral candidate: Towards a new cultural theory of empathy
Sally Davis, Doctoral candidate: Academic freedom, research ethics and the Abrahamic religions - Towards the methodological trinity
Past student projects
Nea-Ann Bax, Doctoral candidate, Exploring the relationship between re-partnering, parental involvement, family dynamics, and family wellbeing (awarded in 2017)
Maria Vnuk, Doctoral candidate, Mothers who pay or should pay child support in Australia (awarded in 2018)
Tempe Archer, M Phil candidate, The recent parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Child Support Program: A critical review (awarded in 2021)
Publications
- Campo, M, Fehlberg, B, Natalier, K et al. 2021, 'Exploring separated fathers' understandings and experiences of 'home' and homemaking', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 291-306.
- Webb, N, Moloney, L, Smyth, B et al. 2021, 'Allegations of child sexual abuse: An empirical analysis of published judgements from the Family Court of Australia 2012-2019', Australian Journal of Social Issues, vol. 56, pp. 322-343.
- Smyth, B, Moloney, L, Brady, J et al. 2020, 'COVID-19 in Australia: Impacts on Separated Families, Family Law Professionals, and Family Courts', Family Court Review, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 1022-1039.
- Campo, M, Fehlberg, B, Natalier, K et al. 2020, 'The Meaning of Home for Children and Young People after Separation', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 299-318.
- Smyth, B, Vnuk, M & Aleema, P 2020, 'Bargaining in the shadow of the child support agency? cooperative versus coercive private arrangements.', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 226-242.
- Vnuk, M, Smyth, B & Aleema, P 2020, 'Paying more or accepting less child support: Parental compromises in CSA private collect.', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 243-264.
- Smyth, B 2020, 'Special Issue: Post-Separation Financial Abuse: A tribute to the Hon Stephen Thackray: Reflections from a social scientist', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 182-183.
- Fehlberg, B, Smyth, B & Trinder, L 2020, 'Parenting issues after separation: Recent developments in common law countries', in John Eekelaar & Rob George (ed.), Routledge Handbook of Family Law and Policy, Routledge, Oxon, pp. 215-228.
- Smyth, B, Moloney, L, Brady, J et al. 2020, Working paper: COVID-19 and Separated Families.
- Aleema, P, Smyth, B & Vnuk, M 2020, 'Private' child support arrangements in Australia: A brief primer.', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 213-225.
- Campo, M, Fehlberg, B, Natalier, K et al. 2020, 'Mothers' understandings of 'home' after relationship separation and divorce.', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, vol. 42, no. 4.
- Smyth, B, Ainscough, G & Payne, J 2020, 'Modes of Communication between High-Conflict Separated Parents: Exploring the Role of Media Multiplexity and Modality Switching', Journal of Family Communication, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 189-205.
- Smyth, B & Moloney, L 2019, 'Post-Separation Parenting Disputes and the Many Faces of High Conflict: Theory and Research', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 74-84.
- Smyth, B & Fehlberg, B 2019, 'Australian post-separation parenting on the smartphone: What's 'App-ening?', Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 53-71.
- Oldham, J & Smyth, B 2018, 'Child Support Compliance in the USA and Australia: To Persuade or Punish?', Family Law Quarterly, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 325-348.
- Campo, M, Fehlberg, B, Smyth, B et al 2018, '[DISCUSSION] The meaning of home for children and young people after parental separation'. Available at: https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/2018/09/06/meaning-home-children-and-young-people-after-parental-separation
- Fehlberg, B, Natalier, K & Smyth, B 2018, 'Children's experiences of home after parental separation', Child and Family Law Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 3-21.
- Keogh, E, Smyth, B & Masardo, A 2018, 'Law Reform for Shared-Time Parenting after Separation - Reflections from Australia', Singapore Academy of Law Journal, vol. 30, pp. 518-544.
- Smyth, B, Hunter, C, Macvean, M et al 2018, 'Education for Family Life in Australia', in Mihaela Robila and Alan C. Taylor (eds.), Global Perspectives on Family Life Education, Springer, New York, NY, pp. 93-113.
- Smyth, B & Moloney, L 2017, 'Entrenched postseparation parenting disputes: The role of interparental hatred?', Family Court Review, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 404-416pp..
- Smyth, B & Chisholm, R 2017, 'Shared-Time Parenting After Separation in Australia: Precursors, Prevalence, and Postreform Patterns', Family Court Review, vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 586-603pp.
- Smyth, B 2017, 'Introduction to the Special Issue on Shared-Time Parenting After Separation', Family Court Review, vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 494-499pp.
- Smyth, B, Bonython, W, Rodgers, B et al 2017, Certifying mediation: A study of section 60I certificates. ANU Centre for Social Research Working Paper No. 2. ANU CSRM: Canberra
- Smyth, B, McIntosh, J, Emery, R et al 2016, 'Shared-time parenting: Evaluating the evidence of risks and benefits to children', in Leslie Drozd, Michael Saini, Nacy Olesen (ed.), Parenting Plan Evaluations: Applied Research for the Family Court (2nd edition), Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 118-169.
- Moloney, L, Smyth, B, Richardson, N., & Capper, S. 2016, Understanding parenting disputes after separation. Research Report 36. Australian Institute of Family Studies: Melbourne.
- Vnuk, M, Smyth, B & Archer, T 2015, 'Comment on the 2015 report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Child Support Program', Family Law Review, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 155-167.
- Smyth, B & Vnuk, M 2015, 'Non-resident parents', in George Ritzer (ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., USA, pp. 1-5.
- McIntosh, J, Smyth, B & Kelaher, M 2015, 'Responding to concerns about a study of infant overnight care postseparation, with comments on consensus: Reply to Warshak (2014)', Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 111-119.
- Smyth, B, Rodgers, B, Son, V et al 2015, 'The Australian child support reforms: A critical evaluation', Australian Journal of Social Issues, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 217-341.
- Smyth, B, Chisholm, R, Rodgers, B et al. 2014, 'Legislating for shared-time parenting after parental separation: Insights from Australia?', Law and Contemporary Problems, vol. 77, no. 1, pp. 109-149.
- Fehlberg, B, Smyth, B & Trinder, L 2014, 'Parenting issues after separation: Developments in common law countries', in John Eekelaar and Rob George (ed.), Routledge Handbook of Family Law and Policy, Routledge, Abingdon, UK and New York, USA, pp. 215-227.
- Vu, B, Rodgers, B & Smyth, B 2014, 'The impact of child support changes on the financial living standards of separated families in Australia', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 193-232.
- Smyth, B, Vnuk, M, Rodgers, B et al. 2014, 'Can child support compliance be improved by the introduction of a 'fairer' child support formula and more rigorous enforcement? The recent Australian experience', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 204-220.
- Smyth, B, Baxter, J, Fletcher, R et al 2013, 'Fathers in Australia: A contemporary snapshot', in David W. Shwalb, Barbara J. Shwalb, Michael E. Lamb (ed.), Fathers in Cultural Context, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, New York and Hove, pp. 361-382.
- McIntosh, J, Smyth, B & Kelaher, M 2013, 'Overnight care patterns following parental separation: Associations with emotion regulation in infants and young children', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 224-239.
- McIntosh, J & Smyth, B 2012, 'Shared-time parenting: An evidenced based matrix for evaluating risk', in Kathryn Kuehnle and Leslie Drozd (ed.), Parenting Plan Evaluations: Applied Research for the Family Court, Oxford University Press, USA, pp. 155-187.
- Smyth, B, Rodgers, B, Allen, L et al 2012, 'Post-separation patterns of children's overnight stays with each parent: A detailed snapshot', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 18, no. 2-3, 202-221.
- Smyth, B, Rodgers, B, Vu, S, B, Allen, L and Vnuk, M. 2012, 'Separated parents' knowledge of how changes in parenting-time can affect child support payments and Family Tax Benefit splitting in Australia: A pre-/post-reform comparison', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 181-213.
- McIntosh, J, Smyth, B, Kelaher, M et al 2010, Post-separation parenting arrangements and developmental outcomes for infants and children. Collected reports..
- Smyth, B & Rodgers, B 2011, 'Strategic bargaining over child support and parenting time: A critical review of the literature', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 25, pp. 210-235.
- Smyth, B, McIntosh, J & Kelaher, M 2011, 'Research into parenting arrangements for young children: Comment on Cashmore and Parkinson', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 25, pp. 258-271.
- Fehlberg, B, Smyth, B, MacLean, M et al 2011, 'Legislating for shared time parenting after separation: A research review', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 318-337.
- Kaspiew, R, Behrens, J & Smyth, B 2011, 'Relocation disputes in separated families prior to the 2006 reforms An empirical study', Family Matters, vol. 86, no. 86, pp. 72-78.
- McIntosh, J, Smyth, B, Kelaher, M et al 2011, 'Post-separation parenting arrangements: Patterns and developmental outcomes Studies of two risk groups', Family Matters, vol. 86, no. 86, pp. 40-48.
- Smyth, B, ed., 2011, Some reflections on research translation for policy and practice, Journal of Family Studies, 17(2).
- Smyth, B 2010, 'Child support: Ongoing and emerging challenges', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 16, no. 1.
- Smyth, B 2010, 'Parent-child contact Australia: Exploring five different post-separation patterns of parenting', in Emily Buss and Mavis Maclean (ed.), The Law and Child Development, Ashgate Publishing Ltd, London, pp. 261-280.
- Smyth, B & Henman, P 2010, 'The distribution and financial impacts of the new Australian Child Support Scheme: A 'before and day-after reform' comparison of assessed liability', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 5-32.
- Moloney, L, Smyth, B & Fraser, K 2010, 'Beyond the formula: where can parents go to discuss child support together?', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 33-47.
- Fehlberg, B, Smyth, B & Fraser, K 2010, 'Pre-filing family dispute resolution for financial disputes: Putting the cart before the horse?', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 197-208.
- Behrens, J, Smyth, B & Kaspiew, R 2010, 'Outcomes in relocation decisions: Some new data', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 97-103.
- Behrens, J & Smyth, B 2010, 'Australian Family Law Court Decisions About Relocation: Parents' Experiences and Some Implications for Policy', Federal Law Review, vol. 38, pp. 1-20.
- Smyth, B 2009, 'A 5-year retrospective of post-separation shared care research in Australia', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 36-59.
- Behrens, J, Smyth, B & Kaspiew, R 2009, 'Australian Family Law Court Decisions on Relocation: Dynamics in Parents' Relationships across time', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 222-246.
- Moloney, L, Smyth, B, Weston, R et al 2008, 'Different types of intimate partner violence? Reply to Wangmann's comments on AIFS report', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 279-295.
- McIntosh, J, Wells, Y, Smyth, B et al 2008, 'Child-focused and child inclusive divorce mediation: Comparative outcomes from a prospective study of postseparation adjustment', Family Court Review, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 105-124.
- Smyth, B, Temple, J, Behrens, J et al 2008, 'Post-separation geographic mobility in Australia: Some preliminary data on behaviour, disputes and attitudes', Relocation Disputes in Australia, ed. Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R., Australian National University, Canberra, pp. 17-43.
- Smyth, B & Moloney, L 2008, 'Changes in patterns of post-separation parenting over time: A brief review', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 7-22.
- Smyth, B 2008, 'Parent-Child Contact in Australia: Exploring Five Different Post-Separation Patterns of Parenting', in Andrew Bainham (ed.), Parents and Children, Ashgate Publishing Ltd, London, pp. 407-428.
- Smyth, B, Weston, R, Moloney, L et al 2008, 'Changes in patterns of post-separation parenting over time: Recent Australian data', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 23-26.
- Smyth, B, Moloney, L, Weston, R et al 2007, 'Allegations of family violence and child abuse in children's proceedings: A pre-reform empirical snapshot', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 252-287.
- Moloney, L, Smyth, B, Weston, R et al 2007, 'Allegations of family violence and child abuse in family law children's proceedings: key findings of Australian Institute of Family Studies Research Report No. 15', Family Matters, vol. 77, pp. 8-15.
- Moloney, L, Smyth, B, Weston, R et al 2007, Allegations of family violence and child abuse in family law children's proceedings: A pre-reform exploratory study. Research Report No. 15, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
- Smyth, B 2007, 'Non-resident parents', in George Ritzer (ed.), The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford UK, pp. 3223-3227pp.
- Smyth, B, Richardson, N & Soriano, G, eds, 2006, Proceedings of the International Forum on Family Transitions, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
- Smyth, B & Chisholm, R 2006, 'Exploring options for parental care of children following separation: A primer for family law specialists', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 20, pp. 193-218.
- Smyth, B 2005, 'Time the rethink time? The experience of time with children after divorce', Family Matters, vol. 71, pp. 4-10.
- Smyth, B 2005, 'Modernising the child support scheme: Some reflections', Family Matters, vol. 71, pp. 58-61.
- Smyth, B & Weston, R 2005, 'Attitudes to child support in Australia', Family Matters, vol. 71, pp. 46-57.
- Smyth, B & Weston, R 2005, A snapshot of contemporary attitudes to child support, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
- Fehlberg, B & Smyth, B 2005, 'Binding prenuptial agreements in Australia: The first year', in Linda Mulcahy, Sally Wheeler (ed.), Feminist Perspectives on Contract Law, Glasshouse Press, London, pp. 125-137.
- Smyth, B 2005, 'Parent-child contact in Australia: Exploring five different patterns of post-separation parenting', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-22.
- Smyth, B, Caruana, C & Ferro, A 2004, 'Fifty-fifty care', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 17-30.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Little or no contact', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 31-50.
- Smyth, B & Whitfield, C 2004, 'Holiday-only contact', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 51-66.
- Caruana, C & Smyth, B 2004, 'Daytime-only contact', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 67-84.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Research design', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 11-16.
- Smyth, B & Wolcott, I 2004, 'Why study parent-child contact?', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 1-10.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Summary and conclusions', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 123-135.
- Smyth, B, Caruana, C & Ferro, A 2004, 'Father-child contact after separation: Profiling five different patterns of care', Family Matters, vol. 67, pp. 18-25.
- Smyth, B, ed., 2004, Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne.
- Rodgers, B, Smyth, B & Robinson, E 2004, 'Mental health and the family law system', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 50-70.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Parent-child contact schedules after divorce', Family Matters, vol. 69, pp. 32-43.
- Moloney, L & Smyth, B 2004, 'Family relationship centres in Australia: Reflections based on research and practice', Family Matters, vol. 69, pp. 61-66.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Child support policy in Australia: Back to basics?', Family Matters, vol. 67, pp. 42-45.
- Smyth, B & Wolcott, I 2004, 'Food and family transitions: Cooking in the aftermath of divorce', Home Economics Institute of Australia. Journal, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 2-8.
- Smyth, B 2004, 'Postseparation fathering: what does Australian research tell us?', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 20-49.
- Smyth, B & Weston, R 2004, 'The attitudes of separated mothers and fathers to 50/50 shared care', Family Matters, vol. 67, pp. 4-11.
- Parkinson, P & Smyth, B 2004, 'Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with father-child contact arrangements in Australia', Child and Family Law Quarterly, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 289-304.
- Smyth, B, Qu, L & Weston, R 2004, 'The demography of parent-child contact', in Bruce Smyth (ed.), Parent-child contact and post-separation parenting arrangements (Research report no. 9), Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, pp. 111-122.
- Smyth, B, Caruana, C & Ferro, A 2003, 'Shared parenting: The views of separated parents with 50:50 care arrangements', Family Matters, vol. 65, pp. 4-11.
- Smyth, B & Moloney, L 2003, 'Therapeutic divorce mediation: Strengths, limitations and future directions?', Journal of Family Studies, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 161-186.
- Smyth, B 2002, 'Research into parent-child contact after parental separation: Some methodological challenges', Family Matters, vol. 62, pp. 33-37.
- Smyth, B 2002, 'Child support for young adult children in Australia', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 22-37.
- Fehlberg, B & Smyth, B 2002, 'Binding pre-nuptial agreements in Australia: The first year', International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 127-140.
- Smyth, B & Ferro, A 2002, 'When the difference is night and day: Parent-child contact after separation', Family Matters, vol. 63, pp. 54-59.
- Smyth, B, Sheehan, G & Fehlberg, B 2001, 'Post-divorce Parenting Patterns: A selection of findings from the Institute's Australian Divorce Transitions Project', Family Matters, vol. 59, pp. 61-63.
- Smyth, B, Sheehan, G & Fehlberg, B 2001, 'Patterns of parenting after divorce: A pre-Reform Act benchmark study', Australian Journal of Family Law, vol. 15, pp. 114-128.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- Post-separation co-parenting apps: Can they help families avoid conflict (Primary Investigator)
- (Ext Led Uni Mlb) The meaning of home for children after parental separation (Secondary Investigator)
- Section 60I certificates: When, why, and what are the outcomes for families? (Primary Investigator)
- The high conflict post-divorce shared-time family (Primary Investigator)
- Inclusion of a revised property module in the CSLS T2 (Primary Investigator)
- Research Services in Respect of Needs-based Service Delivery (Primary Investigator)
- Child Support Reform study - Offical Order No. 45376608 (Head Agreement ARIES 16470) (Primary Investigator)
- Changes in payments, family dynamics and wellbeing following major child support reform: a longitudinal investigation of behavioural and attitudinal responses (Primary Investigator)
