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STAFF PROFILE

Dr Debbie Plath

Position:                Senior Lecturer
Faculty/Division:  Education & Arts
School:                 School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Phone:                 + 61 2 4921 5765
Fax:                      +6 1 2 4921 6902
Email:                    Debbie.Plath@newcastle.edu.au
Location:               Behavioural Sciences Building   Room no. W228
Campus:                Callaghan Campus, Newcastle

Biography

Debbie joined the University of Newcastle in 1992 as a lecturer in social work. She was part of the original teaching team in social work that established the Bachelor of Social Work degree program and the experience based model of social work education at Newcastle. Debbie is currently the Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Social Work program, teaching and coordinating a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social work. Recent research interests include single session social work interventions, ageing, evidence based practice, family violence and social work education. Debbie's PhD research examined the meanings of independence for older people. She has a particular interest in qualitative research methodologies and the application of research to social work practice contexts.

Research

Ageing
Single session social work
Family violence

Interests

Independence in old age
Social Work Education (critical thinking, creativity, engaging students)
Qualitative research methods
Evidence Based Practice
Family Violence

Training and Supervision

Supervision of research higher degrees (MSW, PhD) in Social Work discipline.
Consultancy to organisations and social work professionals
Recent professional seminars/workshops include "Current Social Theory", "Evidence Based Practice", "Single session Social Work Interventions".

Major Accomplishments

Balancing family and career.

Book Chapter

Plath, D. (in press) "Evidence-based practice" chapter 17 in M. Gray & S. Webb (eds) Thinking about Social Work, London, Sage.

Refereed Journal Articles

Gibbons, J. and Plath, D (2005) "Everybody Puts a Lot into it! Single Session Contacts in Hospital Social Work". Social Work in Health Care, 42(1):17-34.
Plath, D. (2007) 'Independence in Old Age: The Route to Social Exclusion?' British Journal of Social Work.
Plath, D. (2006) "Evidence Based Practice: Current Issues and Future Directions" Australian Social Work 59(1).
Plath, D. (2003) "An Experience Based Model for Practice Teaching: International Perspective from Australia" The Journal of Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work 5(1): 2-38.
Plath, D. (2002) Independence in Old Age: Shifting Meanings in Australian Social Policy. Just Policy, No. 26:40-47.
Plath, D., English, B., Connors, L. and Beveridge, A.(1999) Evaluating the outcomes of intensive critical thinking instruction for social work students. Social Work Education, 18(2):207-217.
Plath, D.(1994) Fostering Creativity Through Social Work Education, Advances in Social Welfare Education, AASWWE: 113-119.

Non-Refereed Journal Articles

Plath, D. (1994) Video Review: Understanding Alzheimers:4. Australian Social Work, March, Vol.47, No.1:61.
Plath, D. (1992) Video Review: Memory and Imagination - Community Arts: Community Development. Australian Social Work, Vol.45, No.3, Oct.
Plath, D. (1989) Family Care of the Elderly. Local Government Community Services Association Journal, No.1:23-25.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

Plath, D. (2002) Engaging students' interest in Tertiary Learning: An experience based model of social work education, 6th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference. 8-10 July, Christchurch New Zealand.
Plath, D. (1999) An independent old age: autonomy or isolation?. Promoting Inclusion - Redressing Exclusion, Proceedings of the AASW and IFSW National Conference, Brisbane .
Plath, D. (1996) Interagency Collaboration at the Local Level" Windows on the World Proceedings of 28th Annual International Conference of the Community Development Society, Melbourne, July.
Darlington, Y. & Plath, D. (1994) Introducing Students to the Health System. Research and Development in Problem Based Learning (Vol.2) M. Ostwald and A. Kingsland (Eds), Proceedings of the Australian Problem Based Learning Conference, Newcastle, July. (Extract).
Plath, D. (1991) Over 90: A Qualitative Study of Women over 90. Successful Ageing: Proceedings of the Australian Association of Gerontology Annual National Conference, Canberra, 20-23 October.
Plath, D. (1989) Looking Ahead Together Proceedings of the N.S.W. Council on the Ageing Senior Citizens and Centres, Conference, Collaroy, 13-14 April. (Proceedings Editor).

Research and Consultancy Reports

Gibbons, J. & Plath, D. (2006) Proposal for the Development of Social Services in the Maldives, University of Newcastle (funded by UNICEF).
Plath, D. (1995) Successful Interagency Groups, University of Newcastle, NSW.
Plath, D.(1991) Community Involvement in Planning, Planning Information Bulletin No.8. Central Sydney Area Health Service.
Plath, D. (1991) Profile of Community Health Services in the Central Sydney Area. Central Sydney Area Health Service.
Plath, D. (1991) Report on Strategic Direction for Extended Care and Rehabilitation Services. Central Sydney Health Service.
Plath, D., et. al. (1989) Managing Senior Citizens Centres. Local Government Assoc. of N.S.W.
Plath, D. (1990) Waverley Meals on Wheels Review.Waverley Municipal Council.
Plath, D. (1990) Waverley Community Profile (Chapter entitled "Older People"). Waverley Municipal Council.

Grants

Relationships Australia / University of Newcastle Collaborative Research Grant 2006 "Post Separation Violence"
Newcastle University RMC Early Career Researcher Grant 2002 "Single Session Social Work"
Newcastle University Faculty of Arts and Social Science Research Grant 1997 "Independence in Old Age"
Newcastle University Quality Assurance grant 1995 "Teaching Critical Thinking Skills"
Newcastle University RMC Grant 1994 "Interagency Coordination"

Prizes, Honours & Awards

The University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2006
The University of Newcastle Excellence in Teaching Award 1993

Scholarly Activities

Consultancies & Community Service

Consultancy for UNICEF and the Maldives College of Higher Education to develop Social Welfare Course Curriculum (2006-2007).
Collaborative research projects with Relationships Australia (post-seperation family violence) and International Federation on Ageing (International comparison of ageing policy).
Review for Australian Social Work journal.

Governance

Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work Program Convenor and Social Work Discipline Convenor
- Member of the original teaching team that established the Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Newcastle.
- Development of the Social Work program including course design, teaching and assessment across the 4 year program.
- Establishing and developing the new model of experience based learning in social work education. This model places emphasis on learning through experience, self directed learning and small group learning. It has emerged from a problem based learning approach and utilises a team teaching approach.
Postgraduate
- Program Convenor: Master of Social Sciences, Graduate Certificate in Social Sciences .
- Supervision of postgraduate social work research students. Particular interest in qualitative research methodologies.

Memberships of Networks & Professional Associations

Member, Australian Association of Social Workers

Qualifications

PhD (Newcastle) 2000
MSW (UNSW) 1990
BSW hons (Sydney) 1984
BA (Sydney) 1981