The Power of Knowledge
Professor Mel Gray is one of the world's leading authorities in the research discipline of social work.
"I am committed to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals, groups, and communities by intervening
through research. The
objective is to create real
and lasting change in complex social issues on both a personal and systemic
level," says Professor Gray.
In addition to amassing a prolific catalogue of books, journal articles and conference papers over her career to date, Professor Gray recently led the discipline to achieve a highly esteemed Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rating of 5 (the highest possible score) for Social Work. The University of Newcastle is the only university in Australia to have scored a 5 in this field of research.
With social work at the University of Newcastle flourishing under her direction, Professor Gray is driving a number of research projects that aim to enhance human capacity to solve complex social problems, creating a more humane and just society.
Professor Gray has written extensively on evidence-based practice, a mode of practice pioneered in the field of medicine that involves practitioners considering the best available research – as well as their expertise – in the course of clinical decision-making.
Funded by a recent Australian Research Council (ARC) grant, Professor Gray was part of a team that conducted the largest national survey of social workers on evidence-based practice. The data collected established reliable baseline information on the factors that influence the use of research evidence by human service professionals.
"We wanted our research to address the question of whether there was resistance to evidence-based practice in the profession and look at the extent to which social workers were reading research and using it in practice," Professor Gray explains.
"What underpins my work in this area is the issue of how we get research to the users," Gray says.
"The next body of work will focus on how the culture of an organisation influences the ability of practitioners to apply evidence-based practice in the work place."
Professor Gray will collaborate with community service and advocacy organisation, Mission Australia, on the introduction of a 'peer support' program for their services. The program will examine the effectiveness of those who have suffered in helping others in distress.
Her fascination for all things social transcends her academic pursuits. As a talented amateur photographer, Professor Gray enjoys capturing the human condition in a visual sense. From time to time she can be spotted, lens in hand, documenting community events.
A graduate of the University of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in South Africa, Professor Gray joined the University of Newcastle in 1999. After a five-year stint as Head of School, she took sabbatical in 2006 to pursue research, which she describes as her academic passion.
"I love scholarship, I love studying and I love research," says the internationally renowned author.
The same could be said of her attitude towards teaching. A firm believer in investing in the future of her discipline, Professor Gray will be investigating new opportunities for scholars to work in social work in Newcastle."We will be funding a fellowship this year to bring an international expert in the field of social work to the University of Newcastle. Collaborating and sharing knowledge with our international colleagues can enhance the quality of our research."
In addition to amassing a prolific catalogue of books, journal articles and conference papers over her career to date, Professor Gray recently led the discipline to achieve a highly esteemed Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rating of 5 (the highest possible score) for Social Work. The University of Newcastle is the only university in Australia to have scored a 5 in this field of research.
With social work at the University of Newcastle flourishing under her direction, Professor Gray is driving a number of research projects that aim to enhance human capacity to solve complex social problems, creating a more humane and just society.
Professor Gray has written extensively on evidence-based practice, a mode of practice pioneered in the field of medicine that involves practitioners considering the best available research – as well as their expertise – in the course of clinical decision-making.
Funded by a recent Australian Research Council (ARC) grant, Professor Gray was part of a team that conducted the largest national survey of social workers on evidence-based practice. The data collected established reliable baseline information on the factors that influence the use of research evidence by human service professionals.
"We wanted our research to address the question of whether there was resistance to evidence-based practice in the profession and look at the extent to which social workers were reading research and using it in practice," Professor Gray explains.
"What underpins my work in this area is the issue of how we get research to the users," Gray says.
"The next body of work will focus on how the culture of an organisation influences the ability of practitioners to apply evidence-based practice in the work place."
Professor Gray will collaborate with community service and advocacy organisation, Mission Australia, on the introduction of a 'peer support' program for their services. The program will examine the effectiveness of those who have suffered in helping others in distress.
Her fascination for all things social transcends her academic pursuits. As a talented amateur photographer, Professor Gray enjoys capturing the human condition in a visual sense. From time to time she can be spotted, lens in hand, documenting community events.
A graduate of the University of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) in South Africa, Professor Gray joined the University of Newcastle in 1999. After a five-year stint as Head of School, she took sabbatical in 2006 to pursue research, which she describes as her academic passion.
"I love scholarship, I love studying and I love research," says the internationally renowned author.
The same could be said of her attitude towards teaching. A firm believer in investing in the future of her discipline, Professor Gray will be investigating new opportunities for scholars to work in social work in Newcastle."We will be funding a fellowship this year to bring an international expert in the field of social work to the University of Newcastle. Collaborating and sharing knowledge with our international colleagues can enhance the quality of our research."