Social Work Welcomes New Head of Department

Briefly describe a career highlight to date and how it has shaped your approach to academic leadership.

“I’d like to share a somewhat unusual career highlight - one that predates my social work career but that profoundly shaped how I think about leadership. Before entering the profession, I trained as a classical violinist and performed with orchestras across Australia. Music taught me many lessons that I still carry with me today: the power of deep listening, the art of bringing people together around a shared purpose, and how to lead in a way that helps each person recognise and realise their essential role in the collective.

The world of classical music, in many ways, mirrors academia. At its best, it is creative, inspirational, and collaborative. But it can also be isolating. As competition intensifies, the pursuit of excellence can become increasingly individualised, and we risk losing our sense of connection with one another. As a leader, this is something I consciously try to resist. Instead, I focus on cultivating connection with colleagues, with communities, and with our shared values that draw us into social work in the first place"

Could you briefly outline a current research interest and how it connects to your priorities for the Department over the next 3-5 years?

“My work focuses on ensuring that the knowledge and interventions developed within universities reach the people and communities who need them most. My research sits at the intersection of implementation science, equity, and system reform, with a particular focus on translating evidence-based social and mental health interventions into routine practice in ways that are scalable, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

I have led and contributed to large-scale initiatives across public and private health services, including the implementation and evaluation of digital mental health treatments. This work has advanced new models of integrated care and strengthened the translation of research evidence into everyday service delivery.

I see strong alignment between this research agenda and the Department’s priorities over the next three to five years. Looking ahead, I aim to create an accessible “front door” for our research and teaching - ensuring that our knowledge and innovations are easily shared within and beyond the University. I am also committed to driving evidence-based curriculum development that responds to urgent workforce needs - equipping the next generation of practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create meaningful real-world impact."