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
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.

Watch the recording now

Tuesday 7 June 2022
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.

Watch the recording now

Thursday 25 November 2021

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.

Watch the recording now

Wednesday 22 September 2021
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.

Watch the recording now

Monday 31 May 2021
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.

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Monday 29 March 2021

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.

Watch the recording now