Amanda Howard – författare

This book gives voice to the direct practice experience of social workers working in rural and remote contexts using Australia as the primary case-study. The authors undertake a qualitative research project, conducting in-depth interviews to examine social work theory and practice against the reality of rural and remote contexts. Practice examples provide the reader with an insight into the diverse and complex nature of social work in rural and remote Australia and the role of contemporary social work. Through placing rural and remote social work in its historical, theoretical and geographical contexts, this work explores a range of considerations. These include isolation; ethical dilemmas when working with small and closely linked communities; climate, disaster relief and the environment; community identity and culture; working with indigenous communities in remote contexts; and social work education. Based on direct practice research, this book challenges existing theories of practice and reframes those to reflect the reality of practice in rural and remote communities. As social work must continue to critically reflect on its role within an ever changing and individualistic society, lessons from rural and remote settings around engagement, sense of place and skillful, innovative practice have never been more relevant.

This book provides an accessible, research-informed text for students, social workers and other social service workers and community development workers focused on practically linking climate change to social justice.The book is designed for: Those who want to embed an understanding of climate change and its social justice impacts in their everyday practiceThose keen to explore the explicit but also often invisible ways we see injustice playing out and exacerbated by climate changeThose interested in embarking on research and action which addresses climate change in an inclusive, creative and fair wayUtilising existing and current research with organisations, government and communities, it examines key themes and contexts where work has been done and where more work is needed to design and implement inclusive and just action on climate change.With a core position revolving around the idea and practice of justice – for earth and everything that lives here, it draws on First Nations worldviews, critical analysis, community-led approaches and complexity theory, to outline some practical ways to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change as well as a strategy to reshape our life and work for the longer term.It will be required reading for all scholars, students and professionals of social work, social welfare, community development, international development, community health and environmental and community education.

This book provides an accessible, research-informed text for students, social workers and other social service workers and community development workers focused on practically linking climate change to social justice.The book is designed for: Those who want to embed an understanding of climate change and its social justice impacts in their everyday practiceThose keen to explore the explicit but also often invisible ways we see injustice playing out and exacerbated by climate changeThose interested in embarking on research and action which addresses climate change in an inclusive, creative and fair wayUtilising existing and current research with organisations, government and communities, it examines key themes and contexts where work has been done and where more work is needed to design and implement inclusive and just action on climate change.With a core position revolving around the idea and practice of justice – for earth and everything that lives here, it draws on First Nations worldviews, critical analysis, community-led approaches and complexity theory, to outline some practical ways to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change as well as a strategy to reshape our life and work for the longer term.It will be required reading for all scholars, students and professionals of social work, social welfare, community development, international development, community health and environmental and community education.

This book provides an accessible, research-informed text for social work educators, students, and practitioners interested in the use of story to engender the connection of human experiences with ideas, theories, and skills. A broad lens is also taken to the ways in which fiction has been used as a teaching tool in other degrees, ranging from medicine to engineering to philosophy and economics. Although the research explored is social work specific, this text has applicability for any educator looking for creative methods to teach complex theories, skills, and concepts.Showing how fiction can be used in social work education, it explains why story matters to social work and how fiction can emulate these stories, as well as the capacity of fiction to evoke empathy. Ways in which educators can enlist fiction to create a ‘safe space’ for the exploration of complex emotional terrain are explored, as are the ways in which a community of practice can be created through fiction.Woven within the end of every chapter are some practice examples and author conversations which work to locate the research into a practice context. The text concludes with examples of how fiction has been effectively utilised by the authors, in order to provide a starting point for those interested in exploring this pedagogical approach further.

This book provides an accessible, research-informed text for social work educators, students, and practitioners interested in the use of story to engender the connection of human experiences with ideas, theories, and skills. A broad lens is also taken to the ways in which fiction has been used as a teaching tool in other degrees, ranging from medicine to engineering to philosophy and economics. Although the research explored is social work specific, this text has applicability for any educator looking for creative methods to teach complex theories, skills, and concepts.Showing how fiction can be used in social work education, it explains why story matters to social work and how fiction can emulate these stories, as well as the capacity of fiction to evoke empathy. Ways in which educators can enlist fiction to create a ‘safe space’ for the exploration of complex emotional terrain are explored, as are the ways in which a community of practice can be created through fiction.Woven within the end of every chapter are some practice examples and author conversations which work to locate the research into a practice context. The text concludes with examples of how fiction has been effectively utilised by the authors, in order to provide a starting point for those interested in exploring this pedagogical approach further.

This book will inspire the next generation of social work and human service practitioners to integrate research into their everyday social justice practice. Through highlighting the centrality of values to the task of research and the possibilities for enacting social justice through our research practice, it argues for respectful, meaningful, and just relationships with the people with whom we do research and build knowledge; acknowledges the ongoing impact of colonialism; respects diversity; and commits to working towards social change. With First Nations Worldviews – ways of knowing, ways of being, ways of doing – weaved throughout the text, this book seeks to both reclaim ancient knowledges and disrupt Western research traditions.Divided into three sections, this book providesa strong rationale for the importance of research skills to social work and human service practice;a step-by-step guide on doing social research aimed at novice researchers; a series of examples of applied social justice projectsBringing the authors’ passion for finding new ways of ‘doing’ research and contesting traditional research paradigms of objectivity and the scientific, it advocates for knowledge building that is participatory, emancipatory, and empowered. It will be required reading for all social work and human service students at both the undergraduate and master's level as well as professionals looking to put research into practice.

This book will inspire the next generation of social work and human service practitioners to integrate research into their everyday social justice practice. Through highlighting the centrality of values to the task of research and the possibilities for enacting social justice through our research practice, it argues for respectful, meaningful, and just relationships with the people with whom we do research and build knowledge; acknowledges the ongoing impact of colonialism; respects diversity; and commits to working towards social change. With First Nations Worldviews – ways of knowing, ways of being, ways of doing – weaved throughout the text, this book seeks to both reclaim ancient knowledges and disrupt Western research traditions.Divided into three sections, this book providesa strong rationale for the importance of research skills to social work and human service practice;a step-by-step guide on doing social research aimed at novice researchers; a series of examples of applied social justice projectsBringing the authors’ passion for finding new ways of ‘doing’ research and contesting traditional research paradigms of objectivity and the scientific, it advocates for knowledge building that is participatory, emancipatory, and empowered. It will be required reading for all social work and human service students at both the undergraduate and master's level as well as professionals looking to put research into practice.

This book provides a practical but sophisticated exploration of community development practice and is an accessible, relevant and contextualised guide for those studying social work and human services in Australia. This fully revised and expanded second edition (including new insights from communities preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters) draws on the experiences of not only the authors but many current practitioners from diverse backgrounds working alongside communities to support socially just change. The perspectives of these practitioners are drawn on throughout the book as well as in the exemplary projects case studies at the end of the book. Blending practical skills and ideas with a solid theoretical foundation, each chapter includes reflective questions and examples which can be used both in the classroom and in the field.Enabling students to feel better supported in challenging dominant individualised practice frameworks, it argues strongly that only collective action (supported by community development practice) can address significant social challenges such as those created by climate change, poverty and social exclusion.

This book provides a practical but sophisticated exploration of community development practice and is an accessible, relevant and contextualised guide for those studying social work and human services in Australia. This fully revised and expanded second edition (including new insights from communities preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters) draws on the experiences of not only the authors but many current practitioners from diverse backgrounds working alongside communities to support socially just change. The perspectives of these practitioners are drawn on throughout the book as well as in the exemplary projects case studies at the end of the book. Blending practical skills and ideas with a solid theoretical foundation, each chapter includes reflective questions and examples which can be used both in the classroom and in the field.Enabling students to feel better supported in challenging dominant individualised practice frameworks, it argues strongly that only collective action (supported by community development practice) can address significant social challenges such as those created by climate change, poverty and social exclusion.

This book gives voice to the direct practice experience of social workers working in rural and remote contexts using Australia as the primary case-study. The authors undertake a qualitative research project, conducting in-depth interviews to examine social work theory and practice against the reality of rural and remote contexts. Practice examples provide the reader with an insight into the diverse and complex nature of social work in rural and remote Australia and the role of contemporary social work. Through placing rural and remote social work in its historical, theoretical and geographical contexts, this work explores a range of considerations. These include isolation; ethical dilemmas when working with small and closely linked communities; climate, disaster relief and the environment; community identity and culture; working with indigenous communities in remote contexts; and social work education. Based on direct practice research, this book challenges existing theories of practice and reframes those to reflect the reality of practice in rural and remote communities. As social work must continue to critically reflect on its role within an ever changing and individualistic society, lessons from rural and remote settings around engagement, sense of place and skillful, innovative practice have never been more relevant.

Effective language learning depends on effective instruction. In order to investigate whether or not this is taking place, teachers’ classroom pedagogical practices, both in-service and pre-service, are frequently monitored by means of observation and feedback. However, research indicates that although this process has potential value for teacher learning and development, there are also a number of attendant problems and it is therefore important that practitioners share their experience with others in the field in order to expand the existing knowledge base. This volume investigates participant experiences, looking beyond the materials used and examining the way in which language teachers are evaluated and supported throughout their careers. Particular attention is given to the practices and frameworks involved, outlining key approaches and discussing tools for investigation and collaboration. The book highlights the importance of the use of talk to foster reflection and teacher learning, the value of learning from experienced others and the importance of giving voice to all those involved in the process of development and evaluation.