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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, 2000
• Master of Social Work, University of New South Wales, 1990
• Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), University of Sydney, 1985
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney, 1982

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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

Collaboration

Social work practice.

Ageing and ageing policies.

Research - practice nexus in the human services

Languages

• English

Fields of Research

Description (Code)	%
Clinical Social Work Practice(160701)	100

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Research Institute of Social Inclusion & Wellbeing

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

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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.

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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.