Social Work Event Series 2023
Social Work at Melbourne: Event Series
Led by the visionary Jocelyn Hyslop, a Diploma of Social Studies was established at this University in 1941, the second such program in Australia. Strongly influenced by advances in the United States, this program was focused on preparing graduates to work at the frontlines of poverty, social inequality and psychosocial vulnerability in all its contexts.
Since these origins, our commitment to social justice, human rights and wellbeing has continued. Social work students at The University of Melbourne continue to engage in a vibrant, research-led learning experiences, preparing them for practice, research and leadership in diverse practice contexts.
Today, it is a Master of Social Work program, attracting both local and international students. Our social work education commitment has widened to include Indigenous knowledges, narrative therapy, and advanced, specialist coursework. We are situated in a School of Health Sciences, in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, reflective of our ongoing contribution to health, wellbeing and empowerment in multidisciplinary contexts.
Throughout the years, we celebrate the threads of our history that speak to our present and our future.
Dates for your diary
- Wednesday 12 October 2022
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5:30pm-6:30pm
2022 Len Tierney Lecture - Supporting advocacy in child abuse, domestic and family violence through research: Challenges and changes
Online Webinar
Professor Cathy Humphreys delivered this webinar to reflect on the themes, consistencies and developments in her research career in the area of child abuse, domestic and family violence. She explored the challenges that lie ahead in sustaining research, as well as the ways in which research can be used as a tool for policy advocacy and practice changing this field.
- Tuesday 7 June 2022
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5:30–6:30pm
The migration experience of the South Sundanese community - sport and employment as pathways to belonging
Online Webinar
Dr William Abur drew out key findings from his doctoral thesis, which are relevant to practitioners working in contexts where recent refugees and migrants are encountered.
- Thursday 25 November 2021
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Reflections on Social Work careers: University of Melbourne Social Work alumni 1945-2000
Online Webinar
Panel of discussions led by Professor Dorothy Scott AM, Dr Jane Miller AM, Associate Professor Ralph Hampson, Miriam Suss OAM, Robyne Schwarz AM and selected Master of Social Work students.
- Wednesday 22 September 2021
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5.00-6.00pm
2021 Len Tierney Lecture - Children with disability: Centering family knowledge in social work practice, research, and policy
Online Webinar
Presented by Dr Lyndal Hickey and Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM.
- Monday 31 May 2021
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7.00-8.30pm
The foundations of Social Work education
Online Webinar
Presented by Dr Jane Miller AM as the keynote speaker, this webinar outlined the foundations of this course, which laid the initial strong foundations for Australian social work today. Jane then examined the merging themes of the profession’s response to Indigenous Australians, violence against women, and the female dominated nature of the profession to conclude this component of the webinar.
Followed by a panel discussion including Lee Vanderwalker, Emily Clarke, Joan Fang, Lorraine Parsons and Associate Professor David Rose, various theme including workplace transition and readiness, trends and issues in social work educations, as well as key knowledge and skill areas required in social work education to better address the needs of Indigenous communities were explored.
- Monday 29 March 2021
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Housing the homeless - prevention & response
Online Webinar
Presented by the University of Melbourne Social Work Alumni Association (UMSWAA), this webinar sought to understand what the outcomes are for those people housed under pandemic, and how homelessness may be prevented, as well as exploring the issues for the special population of women exiting prison.