[5] She completed a graduate degree in education and obtained postgraduate qualifications in psychology and sociology at the University of Sheffield and became a lecturer in child development.
[3] She moved to Adelaide in 1980, where she became dean of the Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of South Australia and established a pioneering child protection course.
[4] In 2004, the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, recognised her work by awarding a $10 million endowment for the provision of the National Child Protection Research Centre at the university.
She advised police forces in Australia and New Zealand[8] and was a media consultant on child protection issues relating to TV, movies and computer games.
[4] Briggs was considered one of Australia's leading experts about child abuse issues and an outspoken advocate for children's rights internationally.