School of Social and Political Science

Background

I am a social worker and official visitor at the Social Work Department, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. I also hold honorary appointments in Australia at the Department of Social Work, Monash University and the School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne.

My research interests centre around childhood adversity and its consequences in later life. I obtained my PhD from Monash University in 2005 and have published articles in relation to children’s experiences of abuse and neglect, out of home care, mental health and wellbeing, and poverty.

I have worked for the Department of Education in Victoria, Australia as a social worker in schools, whilst also working part-time as a researcher at Monash University and the University of Melbourne.

I was a team leader and professional practice leader in the Department of Education helping to develop the professional practice of social workers and related health and wellbeing professionals across the North-Eastern Victoria Region. I co-authored the Australian Association of Social Workers Practice Standards for School Social Workers and assisted in the development of the Department of Education Professional Supervision Framework.