
Dr Nafi Ghafournia
Conjoint Lecturer
College of Human and Social Futures
Career Summary
Biography
Nafiseh Ghafournia completed her PhD in Social Policy and Gender Studies at The University of Sydney in 2017 (supported by the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) Scholarship). She has been working as a researcher and sessional academic at University of Newcastle.
Her research revolves around domestic violence, social policy, gender and immigration. She has published several papers on religion and domestic violence, Islamic feminism, domestic violence policy, immigration policy, culture, domestic violence and intersectionality. Her latest publications are Ghafournia, Nafiseh; Easteal, Patricia, 2018, “Are Immigrant Women visible in Australian Domestic Violence Reports that Potentially Influence Policy?”, Laws and “Spouse Sponsorship Policies: Focus on Serial Sponsors”, 2017, Laws.
Her recent book "Faith in Freedom: Muslim Immigrant Women's Experiences of Domestic Violence" published by Melbourne University Publishing (2019) is one of the pioneering efforts to address domestic violence among Muslim immigrant women in the Australian context. Focusing on Muslim immigrant women distinctively adds to the sensitivity and complexity of the topic. More uniquely, and indeed innovatively, the book contributes to understandings of the intersections between factors such as gender, culture, religion and immigration, and the ways in which different social locations interact in Muslim immigrant women’s experiences of abuse. The book examines the implications of feminist intersectional perspectives for service provision, social work education and policy.
Ghafournia has membership of some professional bodies such as International Sociological Association (ISA), The Australian Association for the Study of Religion (AASR), The Australian Sociological association (TASA), Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (AAIMS).
She has also worked as a multicultural health liaison officer in NSW health. She has extensive experience working with immigrant and refugees and delivers regular lectures and trainings to health professionals on cultural aspects of health and cultural competency.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work), University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts, Ferdowsi University of Meshed - Iran
- Master of Arts, University of Tehran - Iran
- Graduate Certificate in Policy Studies, University of Sydney
Keywords
- CALD communities
- Domestic violence policy
- Gender
- Gender and culture
- Gender and religion
- Islamic feminism
- Public Health
- domestic violence
- feminism
- immigration policy
- social policy
Languages
- Dari (Fluent)
- Persian (excluding Dari) (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
440705 | Gender, policy and administration | 40 |
440999 | Social work not elsewhere classified | 30 |
441007 | Sociology and social studies of science and technology | 30 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Casual Academic | University of Newcastle School of Humanities and Social Science Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/9/2010 - | Multicultural Health Liaison Officer | Hunter New England Health Multicultural Health Australia |
1/7/2020 - | Research assistant | Faculty of Education and Arts, The University of Newcastle, Australia Education Australia |
Teaching appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
4/8/2009 - |
Sessional academic School of Humanities and Social Science |
University of Newcastle Faculty of Education and Arts Australia |
Awards
Member
Year | Award |
---|---|
2019 |
The Australian Association for the Study of Religion (AASR) 2. The Australian Association for the Study of Religion (AASR) |
2019 |
Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (AAIMS) Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (AAIMS) |
2019 |
The Centre for Study of Violence, Newcastle University The centre for study of Violence |
2017 |
International Sociological Association (ISA) International Sociological Association (ISA) |
2017 |
Multicultural NSW Multicultural NSW |
2016 |
The Australian Sociological association (TASA) The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) |
2016 |
Newcastle Domestic Violence Committee Newcastle Domestic Violence committee |
Recipient
Year | Award |
---|---|
2017 |
Hunter New England Health Excellence award in the category of Integrated Health Hunter New England Health |
Scholarship
Year | Award |
---|---|
2011 |
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) (PhD) The University of Sydney |
Invitations
Committee Member
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2019 | Hunter New England Human Research Committee |
Keynote Speaker
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2019 | Central coast Connexions Conference: 16th Annual Conference:Think about the Links: Violence, abuse and neglect |
Panel Participant
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2019 | Violence against women: 16 days of activism |
Speaker
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2019 | Violence against CALD women: 16 days of activism |
2019 | Book Launch |
2019 | Culturally competent obstetric care |
2019 | Caring for CALD patients: Implication for culturally competent care |
2018 | Culturally competent obstetric care |
2018 | Caring for CALD patients: Implication for culturally competent care |
2017 | Trends and Patterns: what the research tells about domestic violence in Muslim Communities |
2017 | Australian Health Care System: Presented at John Hunter Hospital for International Medical Graduates |
2017 | Global Phenomenon of Refugees, Case of Afghanistan |
2016 | Domestic violence and CALD women: Case studies at Emergency Department |
2015 | Child protection: A multicultural Perspective”, Tafe, Diploma of community services |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
SOCA1010 |
Society and Culture A Sociological Introduction School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
Sessional Tutor | 1/3/2010 - 1/10/2010 |
SOCA1010 |
Society and Culture A Sociological Introduction Faculty of Education and Arts, The University of Newcastle, Australia |
sessional Tutor | 2/3/2020 - 2/11/2020 |
SOCA1010 |
Society and Culture A Sociological Introduction Faculty of Education and Arts, The University of Newcastle, Australia |
sessional tutor | 1/3/2019 - 30/12/2019 |
NURS1101 |
Foundations of Professional Practise 1A The Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle |
Sessional Tutor | 1/3/2019 - 30/12/2019 |
SOCA1040 |
Construction of Childhood, the Family and Society The University of Newcastle - Faculty of Education and Arts | Australia |
Sessional Tutor | 1/3/2010 - 30/9/2010 |
NURS1102 |
Primary Health Care School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Newcastle |
Sessional Tutor | 1/3/2015 - 30/9/2015 |
SOCA1040 |
Constructions of Childhood, the Family and Societ School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle |
Sessional Tutor | 1/8/2009 - 30/10/2009 |
NURS 1101 |
Foundations of Professional Practice Faculty of Health and Medicine Research- the University of Newcastle |
Sessional Tutor | 2/3/2020 - 6/7/2020 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Ghafournia N, Faith in Freedom Muslim Immigrant Women Experiences of Domestic Violence (2019) |
Chapter (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Ghafournia N, 'Pushing back against stereotypes: Muslim immigrant women s experiences of domestic violence', Working Across Difference Social Work, Social Policy and Social Justice, Red Globe Press, Macmillan International Higher Education (2019) |
Journal article (8 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2020 |
Ghafournia N, 'Negotiating gendered religious space: australian muslim women and the mosque', Religions, 11 1-17 (2020) [C1] Women¿s presence and role in contemporary mosques in Western countries is contested within and outside Muslim communities, but research on this topic is limited and only a few stu... [more] Women¿s presence and role in contemporary mosques in Western countries is contested within and outside Muslim communities, but research on this topic is limited and only a few studies consider women¿s roles inside mosques in Australia. There is a complex intersection of gender and religion in public sacred spaces in all religious communities, including Muslim communities. Women¿s role in these spaces has often been restricted. They are largely invisible in both public sacred spaces and in public rituals such as congregational prayers. Applying a feminist lens to religion and gender, this article explores how a mosque as a socially constructed space can both enable and restrict Australian Muslim women¿s religious identity, participation, belonging and activism. Based on written online qualitative interviews with twenty Muslim women members of three Australian Muslim online Facebook groups, this article analyses the women¿s experiences with their local mosques as well as their views on gender segregation.
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2019 |
Ghafournia N, Easteal P, 'Help-Seeking Experiences of Immigrant Domestic Violence Survivors in Australia: A Snapshot of Muslim Survivors', JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, (2019)
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2017 |
Ghafournia N, 'Muslim women and domestic violence: Developing a framework for social work practice', Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 36 146-163 (2017) There is a great deal of research on domestic violence, but few studies investigate the role of religious values on intimate partner violence or faith-based prevention and interve... [more] There is a great deal of research on domestic violence, but few studies investigate the role of religious values on intimate partner violence or faith-based prevention and intervention strategies in Muslim community. This article draws on a study of 14 abused Muslim immigrant women in Australia and aims to contribute to the understanding of how religion intersects with culture, gender, and immigration. The contemporary climate for Muslims in the West, including Australia, has become increasingly volatile since September 2001 and more recently with the emergence of the so-called ¿Islamic State¿ (ISIS). In this context, the Muslim community has been stereotyped as a violent community whose religious teachings and cultural beliefs support and enforce violence, especially against women. Yet abused women¿s narratives provide a different view of the effect of religious values and spirituality on the experience of domestic violence. The findings of this study of abused Muslim immigrant women focus on four themes: positive role of religion and spirituality; negative role of religious leaders; perception of the relation between religion and domestic violence, and the intersection of culture and religion.
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2017 |
Ghafournia N, 'Towards a New Interpretation of Quran 4:34', Hawwa, 15 279-292 (2017) For almost fourteen centuries, Muslim men and women believed, or have been led to believe, that beating wives is a permitted act in Islam and the Quran has been used to support th... [more] For almost fourteen centuries, Muslim men and women believed, or have been led to believe, that beating wives is a permitted act in Islam and the Quran has been used to support this physical violence against women. Permissible violence against women has mainly been justified on the basis of the Quranic verse 4:34. Since its revelation, there has been a long time challenge to explore the real meaning of the verse. The translations and interpretations of this verse have caused much consternation among scholars, including this author. However, important attempts have recently been made to define or interpret the verse. In this study, two different strands of interpretation are explored: patriarchal and egalitarian. While there are many interpretations of the verse, this study focuses only on the works of some of the most renowned scholars and theologians. A critical analysis of different approaches to the interpretation of this verse shows that the contradictions and complexities related to the verse are not inherent in the Quran itself but are rooted in the intentional or unintentional neglect and misuse of the text by authoritative Muslim scholars. This study argues for a more progressive approach to interpreting the verse which is compatible with a holistic comprehension of the text and teaching of Islam.
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2014 |
Ghafournia N, 'Culture, domestic violence and intersectionality: Beyond the dilemma of cultural relativism and universalism', International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 11 23-32 (2014) In immigrant-receiving countries, domestic violence is usually discussed in the broad context of gender inequality among immigrant communities. These debates focus mainly on cultu... [more] In immigrant-receiving countries, domestic violence is usually discussed in the broad context of gender inequality among immigrant communities. These debates focus mainly on culture turning between "cultural relativism" and "universalism". The paper starts with the critical definition of culture. It explores two common perspectives in details. Each of these two views has been substantially criticized by the opposite side. The paper questions the binary interpretation of domestic violence as either cultural or patriarchal. By examining two perspectives, the paper will argue for the necessity of applying feminist intersectional theory to explore the link of domestic violence and culture. By taking the intersectional theory both structural factors and culture as contributing factors in violence against women will be addressed. © Common Ground, Nafiseh Ghafournia, All Rights Reserved.
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2011 |
Ghafournia N, 'Battered at home, played down in policy: Migrant women and domestic violence in Australia', Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16 207-213 (2011) This paper explores the status of battered migrant women in Australian migration policy. It will start with a general review of domestic violence among migrant families as well as... [more] This paper explores the status of battered migrant women in Australian migration policy. It will start with a general review of domestic violence among migrant families as well as the historical changes in policies in response to this issue. It will be argued that the policies have been mostly shaped in order to protect non-resident women from being abused by their partners or husbands due to their uncertain residence status. However, there are still some significant concerns that are overlooked. These concerns, as will be discussed, are mostly related to underlying social, economic, and cultural factors. The current policies do not take these factors into account. When it comes to filling in the gaps by considering cultural and social factors, one needs to be aware of ideological and theoretical perspectives. By examining two perspectives a 'universalist' and a relativist, the paper will argue for the necessity of looking for a middle approach in addressing domestic violence against migrant women. In conclusion, by taking the moderate approach, further policy reforms will be proposed in order to fill the identified gaps in the policy. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
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Show 5 more journal articles |
Review (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Ghafournia N, 'Islam and Social Work: Culturally Sensitive Practice in a Diverse World (2017) |
Other (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Yang S, 'How saving face silences Domestic Violence in Asian Australian Communities', (2019) [O1] | ||
2015 | Ghafournia N, 'Domestic Violence among Immigrant and Refugee Women in Australia: The Review of the Literature', . Canberra: STOP Domestic Violence Conference, Conference Proceedings (2015) |
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Ghafournia N, Like hands under a rock Muslim Immigrant Women in Australia and Domestic Violence, The University of Sydney (2017) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 2 |
---|---|
Total funding | $10,000 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20181 grants / $5,000
The Hunter New England Health Research and Translation Centre grant in Statistical and Health Economist Support $5,000
Funding body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Funding body | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
---|---|
Project Team | Multicultural Health |
Scheme | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
Category | 2OPL |
UON | N |
20141 grants / $5,000
Multicultural Advantage Grants Program (Community Inclusion)$5,000
Funding body: Multicultural NSW
Funding body | Multicultural NSW |
---|---|
Project Team | Hunter women centre |
Scheme | NSW Government |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2014 |
Funding Finish | 2015 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | C1600 - Aust Competitive - StateTerritory Govt |
Category | 1600 |
UON | N |
Dr Nafi Ghafournia
Positions
Conjoint Lecturer
College of Human and Social Futures
Casual Academic
School of Humanities and Social Science
College of Human and Social Futures