Human Services and Social Work

Summary

The Department's research profile is closely connected to the Te Awatea Violence Research Centre. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative approaches, also encouraged by the association of all academic staff with the Research Centre. Collaborative partners include academics from other disciplines as well as social service agency staff and policy makers across not-for-profit and government agencies. Research is, however, not limited to issues of violence and can be seen to fall into several categories: domestic and family violence, youth and youth offending, planned and assisted personal change, sex work and media, criminal justice, professional and workplace issues, life course transitions.

Broadly speaking, ecological perspectives – which address individuals, families, organisations, policies and processes in context – are considered central. Bicultural and multicultural knowledge, including understanding of the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is valued as essential in human research in this country, and staff with this knowledge act in a consultative capacity across projects.

Researchers

• Jane Marie Maidment
• Nikki Anne Evans
• Raewyn Maree Tudor
• Yvonne Isobel Crichton-Hill

• The Project on Learning led by the late Professor Emeritus Graham Nuthall
• Moving away from violence: women who have ignited change
• Evaluation of the Family Group Conference

• Education: Adult Education; Educational Innovation; Pedagogy; Curriculum Development; Practice-based Research
• Pasifika: Pasifika
• Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, Criminology and Gender Studies: Social Policy; Social Work; Feminist Studies; Methodology
• Visual Arts and Crafts: Visual Arts and Crafts
• Resilience: Social: People and Community; Health and Wellbeing