Kelsey Chapman
Dignity Project Research Lead, Researcher and PhD Candidate at The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University
What is your general research or work expertise?
Kelsey is the research lead of The Dignity Project Flagship program at The Hopkins Centre. She is also the lead researcher on a new collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Kelsey specialises in human rights research, disabilty research and rights, critical disability theory, and dignity theory. She has extensive experience in ethics, governance, and data management and security as well as supporting fellow researchers in project and research management.
Kelsey is a multidisciplinary early career researcher with expertise in health system and service user enablement, inclusive research methods, evidence-based decision-making for patients and clinicians, and rehabilitation therapies. She focuses on understanding the complex factors that influence the delivery of effective and efficient services for people with disability, particularly in transport and health sectors. Kelsey's research and consultancy experience spans disability inclusion, policy, service experiences and outcomes, co-design and inclusive research methods, and citizen science, including work with intersectional groups such as First Nations communities. Awarded a PhD in 2024, Kelsey has demonstrated outstanding capacity to secure commercial and grant funding, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and conduct research that achieves significant knowledge impact and translation.
Currently a Research Fellow at Griffith University within the Inclusive Futures program, Kelsey employs a combination of end-user engagement, qualitative and quantitative methods, and innovative approaches—including citizen science, generative co-design, interviews, surveys, and evidence synthesis methods such as scoping and systematic reviews—to improve mainstream system and service design for marginalised populations. Her work includes large-scale longitudinal cohort studies using advanced analytical techniques, including sentiment analysis and AI, reflecting a dedication to research and teaching that prioritises ethical engagement, meaningful impact, and positive societal change.
Kesley maintains a strong funding record, having consistently secured support from multiple funders and self-funded their role for over two years. Their funding history underscores a sustained commitment to equity for people with disability and marginalised populations across health, employment, education, and transport systems.
What is your current area of interest/ what current research do you have at the moment?
Kelsey’s research interests include the areas of human rights, ethics, dignity for people with disabilities, and critical disability theory. She is currently leading The Dignity Project in understanding how people with disability experience social, personal, and systemic dignity.
What inspires you in your work?
Kelsey is inspired by the people around her, quietly dedicating themselves to disrupting the societal and attitudinal barriers that limit accessibility, inclusion, and equality for all people. She is also inspired by a commitment to disrupting life and business as usual and working with others to produce meaningful change.
What is something people would find surprising about you?
Kelsey grew up in the US and has a background in political science. She also played competitive soccer for 15 years.
What do you do for fun in your spare time?
Currently, Kelsey’s spare time is spent doing her PhD and chasing after her three beautiful children.
Click here to view Kelsey's Google Scholar profile.
Current Projects
The Dignity Project: Disability-led innovation to improve the patient journey
Published 19th January 2023
Featured Publications
Immediate and Long-Term Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for People With Disabilities
Published 15th October 2020
An undignified disaster reality for Australians with disability
Published 1st December 2022
