Social Work programs
The Social Work team provides a suite of innovative teaching initiatives in the university’s distinctive Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) program where our academic experts train students for one of the most in demand employment pathways of the future. We've also launched a new Master of Social Work Qualifying and Graduate Certificate in Human and Social Services.
Contact us
For more information about studying Social Work please contact our program convenors.
Ms Emma Sinclair
Program Convenor - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Dr Meaghan Katrak Harris
Program Convenor - Master of Social Work Qualifying and the Graduate Certificate in Human and Social Services
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Professor Margaret Alston
Professor
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: climate change; environmental disaster; gender; rural women; social sustainability; violence against women
- margaret.alston@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249216702
Dr David Betts
Senior Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: gerontology; sexual and gender minorities; social work
- david.betts@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215782
Professor Tamara Blakemore
Professor
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: child sexual abuse, family disadvantage, resilience
Associate Professor Penny Buykx
Associate Professor
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: access to treatment; alcohol and substance abuse; public health policy; rural health
Associate Professor Wendy Foote
Associate Professor
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: welfare practice, policy and regulations; vulnerable child and family health; child protection; kinship care
- wendy.foote@newcastle.edu.au
- 0240553041
Dr Meaghan Katrak Harris
Social Work
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: social work
Mrs Sarah McLean
Social Work
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: field education; social work
- sarah.mclean@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215595
Dr Karen Menzies
Lecturer
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Expertise: intergenerational trauma; child protection program efficacy; Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families; strong state intervention and the stolen generations
- karen.menzies@newcastle.edu.au
- 0418333822
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.