Primary Function of the Advisory Board

The primary function of the Advisory Board is to consider and advise on key issues associated with the Australian Centre for Arson Research and Treatment (ACART), including strategy, clarity of scope, definition and realisation of benefits, and the monitoring of risks, quality and timeliness. The Advisory Board recommends on the feasibility and achievement of outcomes of ACART, monitoring and reviewing the Centre’s status, as well as reviewing the Centre in general, including long-term strategies for success. It provides a stabilizing influence so clear directions are established by the leadership, and maintained with adequate strategic vision to meet targets. Members of the Advisory Board will consider whether objectives are being adequately addressed and whether the project remains under sound strategic management. In practice these responsibilities are carried out by performing the following functions:

• Monitoring and review of the project at regular Advisory Board meetings;
• Providing assistance and resources to the project when required; and,
• Promoting acceptance of the project as identified in the mission.

Role of the Advisory Board

• The Role of the Advisory Board is to:

• Take responsibility for understanding and reviewing the Centre, its overall plan and the research program's feasibility, implementation and achievement of outcomes; 
• Offer advice on whether the Centre in general, and each project's scope, aligns with the requirements of the stakeholder groups and the relevant communities; 
• Provide those directly involved in the Centre and each project with guidance as required; 
• Notify of any issue that has major implications for the Centre and/or its projects; 
• Consider whether projects remain manageable as emergent issues force changes to be considered; and,
•  Offer and consider differences in opinion and approach, and suggest solutions arising from these.The Advisory Board is also responsible for reviewing major research elements such as:
• prioritization of project objectives and outcomes and quality assurance practices.

Advisory Board Member Biographies

Dr. Troy McEwan

Australian Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Clinical/Forensic Psychologist
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Monash University and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health

Dr. Troy McEwan is an ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (2010-2014) at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science (CFBS) in Melbourne, Australia. She trained as a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, completing a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at Monash University in 2007 before commencing work with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, where she continues to work as a clinician in their community forensic service. Dr. McEwan has a strong interest in combining research and clinical practice, and has been able to indulge that interest by undertaking research while assessing and working with offenders at Forensicare. The ARC Discovery Project on which she is a fellow continues that relationship, investigating methods of assessing and managing high risk stalkers in a clinical setting. She is also involved in ongoing research into deliberate fire-setting, currently working on a data-linkage project examining mental illness in fire-setters who appeared before Victorian Courts between 2003 and 2009. In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr McEwan currently lectures in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Monash University, and provides training to forensic mental health clinicians. Dr. McEwan is current President of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law - Victorian Branch, a Member of the Australian Psychological Society Clinical and Forensic Colleges, and a Registered Psychologist with clinical and forensic endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia.

Dr Bob Green
PhD

Bob is a social worker who has worked in the field of forensic mental health since 1989. His current position is Program Co-ordinator, Statewide Community Risk Management Program, with the Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service. He has been involved with the development of the Griffith University Postgraduate forensic mental health course and also provides training across a range of topics relevant to forensic mental health. His clinical interests are in the area of risk assessment and intervention. He has undertaken research into the release decision making, forensic patient length of stay and reoffending, psychosis and violence severity, and completed a Ph.D on the topic of factors maintaining cannabis use among people with psychosis. He is currently undertaking research into persons with arson charges who are referred to the Mental Health Court.

Dr. Robert Stadolnik
EdD

Dr. Robert Stadolnik is a licensed psychologist and President of FirePsych, Inc., a specialized private practice devoted to firesetting assessment, training, and research. Dr. Stadolnik is the author of Drawn to the Flame: Assessment and Treatment of Juvenile Firesetting(Professional Resource Press, 2000) and the Firesetting Risk Assessment Tool-Youth (FirePsych, 2010). Since 1995 he has completed or supervised over 1500 firesetting behavior assessments for youth and adults. Dr. Stadolnik has completed research studies on adolescents in residential care and adolescent females and regularly consults to youth and adult serving agencies, schools, and state agencies. He serves as Consulting Psychologist to Brandon Residential Centers Rapid Firesetting Assessment (RFA) and Intensive Firesetting Treatment Programs (IFTP). He also provides clinical and program consultation to Hopedale House, a community residence for adults with arson histories transitioning from hospital care to community living Dr. Stadolnik provides trainings nationally and internationally on juvenile and adult firesetting.