Jaana Haaja

Griffith University

Jaana Haaja is a PhD candidate, sessional academic, and the CCJ sessional representative for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University. She completed her Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Hons1) and is passionate about exploring complex issues related to child protection systems, policy, and practice. Jaana's research interests are broadly related to child welfare, including out-of-home care and placement stability, and the impact of child maltreatment and child protection decision-making on children's interaction with the criminal justice system. Her work aims to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families by promotion of more effective evidence-based policies and practices in the child protection system. Jaana also has extensive lived experience as a foster carer, having dedicated more than 11 years to caring for children with complex needs, particularly sibling groups. This experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges facing children in care and drives her passion for improving the system and its responses.