Social Work Staff

Lucy is an experienced social worker and social welfare scholar with research expertise in cross-cultural migration studies, global development challenges, and data-driven approaches to capacity building in the nonprofit sector. Her current research focuses on the long-term impact of temporary migration on families and migrants across Asia and Oceania.

Ann is passionate about creating social change and hopes her research will make a difference to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Ann co-designed the scaffolded Domestic Violence – Recognise, Respond, Refer curriculum for dental students and she actively promotes the inclusion of spirituality in social work.

Sandra works with students in preparation for placement, bridging the space between academic education and practice learning. She brings to teaching her experience as a social worker in government and non-government agencies in Australia and overseas. Her current PhD research focuses on students’ readiness for eco-social work practice.

Mike is an Associate Lecturer in Field Education. His research interests include human geography, gender studies, community services, urban citizenship, and social work. Mike has published several journal articles across different respected publications.

Abraham is a highly regarded leader in the field of Social Work. He is passionate about researching and working in strengths-based practice in mental health and has published extensively in social work literature. Abraham’s research interests include criminal justice, community development, COVID-19, gerontological social work and international collaboration.

Jemma is a social worker with front-line experience in Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, and Intensive Family Support. Her teaching experience centres around interpersonal skills, professional development for social work practice, and developmental approaches to eco-social justice. Jemma’s research interests include social stigma, marginalised mothering identities, child protection, and mental health.

Albert is a Lecturer in Social Work and Human Services. Albert’s teaching and research interests include diversity and intercultural practice, community development, social work decision making and evidence informed practice, and non-profit organisations.

Vinnitta is a Torres Strait Islander woman with connection to the Murray Islands. Her research has focused on understanding the experiences of Torres Strait Islanders in relation to out-migration and resettlement, and spirituality outside of place. Vinnitta’s research interests include social-emotional health and wellbeing, climate change and spirituality.

Alice’s early career involved direct practice delivery, working with vulnerable children and families in the child protection sector. This work broadened her understanding of applied social work and laid the foundations for her interest in critical social work and the impacts of burnout and compassion fatigue on frontline social workers.

Hyacinth is a social worker and academic. His research and teaching expertise centres around social justice, politics of disadvantage, coloniality, decoloniality, migration, critical race and whiteness theories and mental health. Hyacinth has published more broadly on Othering, belonging, immigrant and international students’ experiences, wellbeing, social work and social work education.

Ines’ extensive social work experience in a broad range of interventions and practice fields informs her teaching and research. Her research interests are youth and families, gender, social work education, professional supervision and field education. Ines has published widely and her current award-winning research explores social work in GP settings.