Karen Struthers is currently a PhD student at Griffith University, but has a background in politics as a former Queensland state Labor minister and with the Queensland Council of Social Service. She remains an Australian Labor Party member.

Current research
Conducting a project Paving the Way for Girls into Hard Hat Trades - Reducing Gender Segregation in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Trades" under the supervision of Professor Glenda Strachan, Griffith Business School and Professor Clare Tilbury School of Human Services and Social Work.

Background
Queensland Minister for Community Services, Housing and Women in the Queensland State Government (2009-2012) and Member of Parliament (1998-2012).

Assistant Director, Queensland Council of Social Service (1994-1998).

Qualifications. Master of Public Sector Management (Hons) Griffith University and Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) University of Queensland.