Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Debbie joined the University of Newcastle in 1992 as a lecturer in social work. As part of the original teaching team to establish the Bachelor of Social Work at Newcastle, Debbie contributed to the development of the Experience Based Learning model in social work education on which she has published and presented internationally. Research and scholarship activities have also focused on providing research evidence that is useful and relevant for social work practitioners and human service organisations. Scholarly contributions have been made, both nationally and internationally, to the debate on evidence based practice in social work and to the body of practice evidence utilised by social workers in the fields of single session work and social work with older people. Debbie has been the recipient of several teaching awards for excellence and a Vice Chancellor's award for Research Excellence in 2010.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 18/08/2000
- Master of Social Work, University of New South Wales, 19/10/1990
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), University of Sydney, 15/06/1985
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney, 15/05/1982
Research
Research keywords
- Ageing
- Evidence Based Practice
- Single Session Social Work
- Social Work
Research expertise
Research and scholarship activity has focused on providing research evidence that is useful and relevant for social work practitioners. Contributions have been made, both nationally and internationally, to the debate on evidence based practice in social work and to the body of practice evidence utilised by social workers through:
- Publications in A & A* ranked international and national journals on the topics of ageing, single session social work intervention and research on social work education.
- Successful internal and external research grant applications including CI on current ARC discovery grant.
- Engagement with national community service organisations in collaborative research projects.
- Establishing international research and academic links: eg. UNICEF, IFA.
- Supervision of research higher degree students.
- Dissemination of research findings to practitioners through a range of professional forums and national & international conferences.
2010 Vice Chancellors Award for Research Excellence
Languages
- English
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 160701 | Clinical Social Work Practice | 100 |
Memberships
Body relevant to professional practice.
- Member - Australian Association of Social Work
Appointments
| UoN representative ACHSSW - Aust Council of Heads of Schools of Social Work (Australia) | 01/01/2008 |
| Equity Research Fellowship The University of Newcatle (Australia) | 01/07/2010 - 01/12/2010 |
| UoN representative Combined Universities Field Education Group (Australia) | 01/11/2004 - 01/12/2005 |
| Project Leader (UoN team) UNICEF consultancy (Maldives) | 01/09/2006 - 01/04/2008 |
Awards
Recognition.
| 2008 | Excellence in Teaching Award Faculty of Education & Arts (Australia) Recipient of a prestigious prize or award |
|---|---|
| 2008 | VC Award for Excellence in Teaching University of Newcastle (Australia) Excellence in Teaching |
Research Award.
| 2010 | University of Newcastle Equity Research Fellowship University of Newcastle (Australia) University of Newcastle Equity Research Fellowship (2010) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence Award Universtiy of Newcastle (Australia) Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence Award (2010) |
VC citation for outstanding contributions to student learning
| 2006 | VC Citation University of Newcastle (Australia) "For bold, innovative teaching that inspires the personal and professional development of social work students" This award recognises the research and scholarship in the field of social work education. |
|---|
Invitations
| International Conference on Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work The Journal of Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work, United Kingdom (Conference Presentation - non published.) | 2003 |
Collaboration
Social work practice.
Ageing and ageing policies.
Research - practice nexus in the human services
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Social Work and discipline leader in social work 2008 - 2011
Acting Deputy Head of School: Jan - July 2010.
Management of the AASW re-accreditation review of BSW in 2008/9.
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Experience based learning
- Practice Based Research
- Practice Teaching / Field Education
- Social Work
Teaching expertise
Dr Plath is an innovative and committed educator of social work professionals. As part of the team to establish the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University, an integral part contribution has been made to curriculum design and development of the experience based learning model for which social work at the University has become internationally recognised. Leading the team of social work educators at the University of Newcastle, Dr Plath prepares students for professional social work practice by being responsive to student needs and to the changing trends and issues faced by social workers in the field. Evidence for the quality of teaching includes:
- 2008 Faculty of Education & Arts Excellence in Teaching Award.
- An international consultancy completed for UNICEF advising on social work curriculum and training in a developing country (Maldives).
- VC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2006) for Bold, innovative teaching that inspires the personal and professional development of social work students
- University Excellence in Teaching award (1994 ) as one of the foundation team to establish the Bachelor of Social Work program at Newcastle.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 15 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $339,271 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2010 (3 grants)
ERF Teaching Relief - Plath$24,016
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor John Germov, Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equity Research Fellowship | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,016 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0900098 | ||
Organisational case studies examining the implementation of Evidence Based Practice in the Human Services$2,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equity Research Fellowship | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,500 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0190633 | ||
Faculty of Education and Arts - Award for Research Excellence$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Award for Research Excellence | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1001015 | ||
2009 (1 grants)
Implementing Evidence-Based Practice: Factors that Influence the Use of Research Evidence by Human Service Professionals$240,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Stephen Webb, Professor Mel Gray, Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $240,000 | 2009 | 2011 |
| GNo:G0188702 | ||
2008 (1 grants)
Evaluation of social service training and development program in the Maldives: building capacities or imposing western models?$6,666
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Pilot Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $6,666 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189058 | ||
2006 (2 grants)
Family violence client profile$3,000
Funding Body: Relationships Australia
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| University Grant Partner funding | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $3,000 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186862 | ||
Family violence client profile$3,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Collaborative Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $3,000 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186656 | ||
2003 (2 grants)
Practice model for single session social work interventions in hospitals: social worker perspectives$4,219
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $4,219 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0182711 | ||
'Co-operating for Social Justice' Australian Association of Social Workers National Conference 2003 28/09/03 to 01/10/03$605
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $605 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0183602 | ||
2002 (1 grants)
6th Pacific Rim, First Year in Higher Education conference; Changing Agendas Christchurch New Zealand, 8-10 July, 2002$897
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $897 | 2002 | 2002 |
| GNo:G0182040 | ||
1999 (1 grants)
The Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the IFSW, APASWE and AASWWE, Brisbane$380
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $380 | 1999 | 1999 |
| GNo:G0180475 | ||
1997 (1 grants)
Independence in Old Age$31,639
Funding Body: Commonwealth Department of Health & Aged Care
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research & Development Grant (RADGAC) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $31,639 | 1997 | 1998 |
| GNo:G0176920 | ||
1995 (2 grants)
Critical thinking skills of social work students$18,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Scheme | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $18,000 | 1995 | 1995 |
| GNo:431299 | ||
24th National Conference of the Australian Assoc., Tasmania, 3-6 July$349
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $349 | 1995 | 1995 |
| GNo:G0176895 | ||
1994 (1 grants)
What factors influence the successful functioning of interagency groups in the community services field ?$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Debbie Plath | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| New Staff Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 1994 | 1994 |
| GNo:G0174590 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 1 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 0.25 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2014 | PhD (Social Work) | Principal Supervisor | Experiences of parenting a child with anorexia nervosa undergoing treatment |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | M Social Work [R] | Sole Supervisor | An Investigation of Social Work Assessment with Child Protection Cases in Non-Statutory Settings |
| 2002 | M Social Work [R] | Sole Supervisor | A Study of a Child Protection Program - NEWPIN. What are the Experiences of the Participants: Children, Mothers and Staff? |
Associate Professor (Debbie) Plath
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 5765 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 6995 |
| Debbie.Plath@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Casual Academic Social Work Discipline School of Humanities and Social Science Faculty of Education and Arts |
| Focus Area | Social Work |
| Office | W228, Behavioural Sciences, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/debbie-plath |
Research Networks
