The Australian Youth Research Centre (AYRC) is located within the Faculty of Education at The University of Melbourne. Kathleen is one of their Research Associates and the only associate based in South Australia.

AYRC has over thirteen years' experience of research, evaluation and program development in areas of education, youth affairs, disadvantage and policy analysis for a diverse range of groups. These include: the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA), the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER), the Australian Research Council (ARC) the Research and Development Grants Advisory Committee (RADGAC), the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA/DETYA), the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), the Victorian Department of Education, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), as well as local government and private enterprise.

AYRC has particular expertise in research on youth development, youth participation, education, transition pathways, social justice, gender equity, justice, training and employment issues. It has a commitment to the active 'agency' of young people in its research, development, consultancy, support and evaluation work, i.e. to their capacity and willingness to act upon issues that affect them. Further details about the focus, activities, staff and achievements of the centre are available at: http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/EPM/YRC/index.shtml