A Bachelor with Honours degree is a research intensive, one-year program. You will work closely with an academic supervisor on a project from start to finish – from study design, developing a project proposal, data collection and analysis and completion of a thesis.
Honours Program, School of Health & Society
The School of Health and Society offers Honours in Public Health, Social Sciences and Social Work. You may work with a supervisor to develop a project of your own, or choose from one of the following projects on offer in 2023. Please contact Dr Patti Shih, HAS Honours Coordinator for more information.
Public Health and Social Sciences Projects
Research Projects offered in 2023 for Bachelor of Public Health and Social Sciences with Honours
- Healthy Eating in Early Years
- High School Teachers' Wellbeing
- Food Insecurity during COVID-19
- Body Dissatisfaction: A Systematic Review
- Movement Behaviours in Early Years (SUNRISE) Study
- Direct-to-Consumer Pathology Tests
- Early Childhood Health and Development
- Sharing General Practices Data (2 projects)
- Innovation in Honours Program
- Work From Home (WFH): Friend or Foe?
Project Title
First Bite – Get it Right. Encouraging healthy eating from the early years
Description
The first five years of life are critical for establishing healthy food habits and healthy body weight. Australian children’s vegetable intakes are exceedingly low. Fewer than two in every five children aged 2-3 years eat enough vegetables, which drops to 3.8% of children by 4-8 years (1). One in four children are classed as overweight or obese before they start school (2).
The First Bite program seeks to influence the food environments in settings where children live and play and their food-related engagements with important caregivers. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is an ideal setting for nutrition promotion, given its wide reach, focus on early childhood development and established linkages with parents and families.
The program seeks to improve children’s nutrition literacy and behavioural intentions to consume healthy foods through multiple strategies. One of these strategies will involve hands-on experiential learning activities to promote nutrition to children, provided by educators in the ECEC setting and reinforced at home.
Substantial development work has already been conducted to inform the proposed approach, including a systematic literature review on the effectiveness of experiential learning approaches for promoting nutrition and a pilot study of experiential learning activities with families in the UOW Discovery Space. The Honours student will be required to support the development of the First Bite experiential learning strategy. In developing the First Bite resources, they will consider the earlier formative work already undertaken by the team, as well as conduct additional scoping of the nature and extent of experiential learning activities currently undertaken by ECECs.
The project forms part of a larger program of work, funded through the NSW Ministry of Health’s Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP), to support children and young people to optimise their health and wellbeing, particularly through healthy eating and physical activity. The student will be part of a team of investigators on the First Bite program, including from UOW Early Start (staff and higher degree research students) and NSW Health.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Associate Professor Bridget Kelly
Co-supervisors: Dr Megan Hammersley, Dr Jenny Norman
External Stakeholders
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
The project will involve:
- Synthesising evidence (from reviews and other sources)
- Qualitative methods (interviews, document analyses)
- Design and testing of health promotion materials
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
The student will develop skills in research design, health promotion program development and evaluation (formative), qualitative interviewing, and synthesis of evidence.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
The student will be part of, and regularly engage with, the First Bite program team. This will offer networking opportunities with Health Promotion staff from Local Health Districts and the NSW Centre for Population Health. The student will gain insights into career pathways in population health promotion and public health research.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
The First Bite program is funded through a NSW Health PRSP grant. As well as the PRSP investigator team, other personnel on the project include a post-doctoral research fellow and PhD student.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
This project is ideal for students with an interest in health promotion, community engagement and/or children’s nutrition or health.
Desirable skills include: effective written and verbal communication, creativity and problem solving.
References
Project Title
Understanding and supporting teacher’s wellbeing in the high school setting.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Anne-Maree Parrish
External Stakeholders
- Teachers and executive at one high school in the Illawarra
- NSW Dept of Education
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Research Ethics
- The project does not require HREC approval
- The project has already obtained relevant HREC approval; the student will be added to this existing application
- The project requires a new HREC application for approval*
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Literature review and small pilot intervention study – a mixed methods design.
The pilot study will be partly guided by an existing project (data collection in 2022) and the findings from the literature review.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Designing and implementing a pilot
- Skills associated with systematic reviews understanding the steps associated with e.g. PRISMA and systematic reviews.
- Data collection skills relating to the school setting and data analysis
- Ethics
- Project planning
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
These skills are transferable to any Public Health or Health Promotion position in both the not for profit sector and Public health/health promotion sectors
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Weekly supervisory meetings, access to resources in the Early Start Food and Movement lab
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
A high achieving, motivated individual who is organised, can work as part of a team and autonomously, has good written skills, is interested in improving the health and wellbeing of others, is good with people and respectful of community partners and their interests.
Project Title
Availability of services to address food insecurity in the Illawarra region throughout the COVID19 pandemic
Description
Building on previous research that has mapped the food security services in the Illawarra prior to COVID19, this research aims to conduct mapping of government and nongovernment organisations that are involved in addressing food insecurity in the Illawarra; and to explore key stakeholders' barriers and challenges to addressing food insecurity during and following the COVID19.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Joanna Russell
Co-supervisors: Dr Anne McMahon
Discipline
Public Health (BPH Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Literature review and qualitative research methods including in depth interviews with key stakeholders
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
Students will develop critical analysis of the literature and skills in interviewing.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
Anyone wanting to work with local non profit organisations around ensuring health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Supervisors will be available to meet regularly (once a week or as required) and encourage the student to develop the project around their own interests as well have assist with contacts at local organisations and guidance for thesis writing.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Applicants will have an interest in food and nutrition and have completed HAS 160 which will bring some food knowledge.
Project Title
Systematic review of publications on body dissatisfaction as a public health issue
Description
Body dissatisfaction, negative perception or attitude towards one’s own physical appearance, has largely been framed as a psychological issue limited to individuals. This project will systematically review published literature on framing body dissatisfaction as a public health concern guided by descriptive and normative questions:
- To what extent do current discussions of body dissatisfaction frame the problem and possible interventions as a public health concern
- To what extent should discussions of body dissatisfaction frame the problem and possible interventions as a public health concern
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Yves Saint James Aquino
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
The project will involve systematic review of literature, involving systematic and reproducible methods to identify, appraise and analyse articles that discuss body dissatisfaction as a public health concern. The project will then involve coding and analysis of included publications, with the option of using qualitative data analysis software (e.g. NVivo).
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- skills in systematic review, which is an essential skill for both academic and industry research.
- hone skills in critical thinking and academic writing by helping draft a manuscript for journal publication.
- understand the basic knowledge about the current state of body dissatisfaction as a phenomenon.
- to develop skills in using data analysis software.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- The project can help establish vital skills for careers in higher degree research in social sciences, public health and human services.
- The project will help the student develop skills in critical thinking and data analysis that benefit professionals in nearly every area of the workforce.
- Research skills and knowledge of data analysis software can help the student pursue jobs as analysts and researchers in various industries.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
I will provide support in developing and completing the honours project within appropriate time frame. I will maintain regular contact (weekly or fortnightly) to monitor the student’s progress. I will provide feedback on any submission to improve the student’s work.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Students in public health and social sciences who are interested in studying physical appearance concerns, and are enthusiastic to learn about incorporating philosophical analytical methods and social science methods are encouraged to apply.
Project Title
The International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years (SUNRISE): An evaluation of feasibility and acceptability of the study protocol
Description
The SUNRISE study is an International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years. Bringing together researchers from low-, middle-, and high-income countries across the globe, the SUNRISE study aims to measure physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under the age of 5 years. To date, 51 countries (16 high-income and 35 low/middle-income) have been recruited in the SUNRISE study, of which 29 (11 high-income and 18 low/middle-income) have completed the pilot phase of the study.
This project will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the SUNRISE study protocol across different country income settings using data collected from the pilot phase of the study. The project will involve two key research components. The first component is a quantitative analysis of the response rates of the study's primary outcome measures (accelerometer, motor skills, executive function, parent questionnaire). The second component is a qualitative analysis of the focus group and interview data collected from the participating parents and childcare centre staff. It is anticipated that a journal publication will be produced from this project.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Senior Professor Anthony D. Okely
Co-supervisors: Dr Kar Hau Chong, Ms Penny Cross, Ms Rebecca Calleia
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
This project will involve both quantitative (e.g. descriptive analysis of the study’s response rate) and qualitative (e.g. thematic analysis of focus group and interview data) research methods.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Data organisation and analysis
- Scientific communication and writing skills
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Project management and delivery
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- Academia
- Public health sectors
- Data management and analysis
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
- Access to a co-working space with the research team in Building 21
- Access to software/programmes required for the project
- A fortnightly meeting with the supervisory team to discuss the project
- Research training will be provided whenever needed.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Someone who is interested in global health research and has good organisational and time-management skills. This project requires an interest in and basic understanding of research methods and statistics.
Project Title
'Lifestylisation of pathology': Online advertisements of direct-to-consumer pathology tests.
Description
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests are diagnostic and screening tests sold to consumers without requiring them to have a consultation or referral from a doctor. The range and variety of DTC tests have become more accessible, particularly in the online marketplace. There is a concern that some of these services offer expensive but sometimes unproven or unnecessary tests to consumers that may not benefit them. This study will critically analyse online websites and social media advertising DTC pathology tests (3- 4 case studies), with a focus on how tests that may lead to significant clinical consequences are portrayed as lifestyle and wellness products for healthy people. It will discuss the broader ethical and social implications for consumers.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Patti Shih
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Qualitative content analysis (textual and visual) ; In-depth literature search and review
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
Web-based searches of relevant advertisements in commercial websites and social media of DTC testing products; Critical analysis of advertisement, examining the key concepts and messages relayed in the textual and visual data
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
Students will develop key literature and web research skills that will prepare them well for higher degrees by research (e.g. MRes and PhD). A wide range of government, non-government and industry employers will value these research and analytical skills.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Regular supervisory meetings; support with qualitative data analysis training; support with developing conceptual and critical analysis of the data. The student will also be part of the vibrant ACHEEV and HAS academic community, invited to take part in Centre meetings, Reading Groups and seminars.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Interested in understanding more about emerging health technologies and their online marketing strategies; willing to think critically and outside of the box; interested in tackling controversial issues in health such as overdiagnosis, overtesting and medicalisation, and engage with their underpinning theories. Some prior knowledge of web content analysis would be advantageous but not essential.
Project Title
Biological and Sociodemographic factors influencing Early Childhood Health and Development
Description
Developmental delays in physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language, cognitive, and communication skills have significant health, social and economic consequences for later life. There are a number of factors both biological and sociodemographic in nature that influence early childhood development. This project with examine the influence of these factors on early childhood development outcomes of children using linked data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC; including Child Health CheckPoint), the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) and Medicare.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Gursimran Dhamrait
Co-supervisors: Professor Lisa Smithers
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- Quantitative research methods, epidemiology, public health.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Literature searching
- Practical skills in the development of a research question, use of directed acyclic graphs and identification of confounding structures.
- Analysis of data using regression modelling, and under certain circumstances students may undertake more sophisticated modelling such as imputation for missing information.
- Interpretation of the findings from quantitative data analysis
- Oral and written presentation skills
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- PhD
- Government Sector
- Data analyst
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
- Resourcing is provided by the School of Health and Society.
- The student will meet weekly with the supervisory team
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- Undergraduate degree in psychology, health science, public health, social work, health promotion, education, nursing or similar discipline
- Statistical analysis (SPSS/STATA/SAS)
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
Project Title
Sharing General Practice Data for Research Purposes
Description
With more than 90% of Australians seeing a general practitioner (GP) at least once each year, general practice data should be a rich resource for researchers, policy makers and planners, particularly when combined with hospital and other health service data through data linkage.
However, the potential for secondary use of general practice data for research is still largely unrealised. Alongside technical reasons related to poor data quality and the lack of standardisation of and interoperability between clinical software tools, fear and lack of trust amongst GPs and patients are the most frequently cited reasons.
This project aims to explore community views towards sharing general practice data for research purposes and the influence of deliberative methods on changing views. The successful candidate(s) will be invited to lead and/or contribute to one or more research activities:
- A systematic scoping review on community and/or GP attitudes to sharing general practice data
- Assist in the organisation and implementation of two citizens’ juries
- Analysis of a pre and post-test questionnaire
- Interviews with jurors on their citizens’ jury experience
- Development of a package of resources for consumers on using health data for secondary purposes. This activity may be embedded in Health Consumer NSW to work with that organisation in co-design of the training package.
We can scope the program of work to suit the interests of our student(s).
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Annette Braunack-Mayer
Co-supervisors: Ms Belinda Fabrianesi, Ms Lucy Carolan
External Stakeholders
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
The student may undertake one or more of several research activities:
- Desktop – Scoping/narrative review
- Deliberative - Citizens’ juries
- Quantitative – Pre and post-test questionnaire
- Qualitative – Interviews
- Resource development - asynchronous online training resources
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
It is expected the student will develop the following key skills:
- Ability to conduct, record and write up a systematic review of the literature
- Ability to follow Human Research Ethic Committee protocol requirements to assist in the organisation, delivery and analysis of two citizens’ juries
- Enter and analyse pre and post-test questionnaire data (up to 40) in SPSS, develop graphs, and write up findings.
- Conduct in person or zoom interviews with members of the public (number TBD), analyse transcript data in NVivo, write up findings.
- Contribute to the development of research publications.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
This project will suit students interesting in pursuing a career in public health and/or social services in the public or not for profit sectors. It could also form a suitable base for students intending to pursue further research study.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
The honours placement is offered by the Big Data team at the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values (ACHEEV).
Within this placement the honours student will be supported via weekly team meetings, weekly individual meetings and other communications as is required. The student will have the opportunity to experience working within a research centre at the University of Wollongong. Remote work may be permitted where required.
The student will be supported by primary supervisor Professor Annette Bruanack Mayer, who has extensive experience as a supervisor and expert knowledge of the subject and the research methods involved. Research assistants, Ms Fabrianesi and Ms Carolan will be on hand with day-to-day support. Other supervisors may be invited depending on the area of research selected.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- Highly organised.
- An interest in the ethical uses of large datasets.
- Able to work independently, and as part of a team.
Project Title
Innovations in Honours Education
Description
The Honours degree in Australian universities is commonly offered as a supervised research project spanning one academic year and producing a thesis output for high achieving students who have completed a bachelor’s degree. However, there is no ‘one way’ to offer an Honours degree, and universities across Australia provide a range of options for students hoping to open the door to a higher degree by research or to enhance their career prospects by undertaking Honours. This project will investigate the various Honours offerings available in Australia in the field of public health and social sciences or related disciplines, undertake a review of the literature regarding Honours courses, and survey and interview stakeholders involved in Honours education (academics and students) to provide an analysis of best practice Honours degree design and outputs in the social sciences.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon and Dr Patti Shih
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- A literature review
- Interviews
- Surveys
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Carry out a literature review
- Design and conduct surveys
- Design and conduct interviews
- Analyse data
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- Education
- Research/academia
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
- Fortnightly supervision
- Prior UOW HREC ethics approval
- The support of the HAS Honours Review Committee
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Anyone interested in:
- pedagogy
- educational design
- creative and best practice research outputs
Project Title
Work From Home (WFH): Friend or Foe?
Description
COVID-19 accelerated WFH in Australia and it seems to be ‘here to stay’ in one form or another. But is it healthy or isolating? Does it permit us more time for the things that nourish and being meaning to our lives? Or does it encourage sedentariness, unhealthy eating habits and mess with our sleep? It seems like everyone has a view, one way or another, but where is the scientific evidence? This project will investigate the ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ of WFH to provide the evidence needed for informed debate and decision-making.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Professor Thomas Astell-Burt
Discipline
- Public Health (BPH Hons.)
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
A fantastic opportunity to learn and apply quantitative methods commonly used in social and public health science research and related professions. Some literature reviewing will be needed to inform the research analyses.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
Students are encouraged to bring their whole self to the project, including their own experiences of WFH. Strengthening of capacities and competencies will be identified via a process of ongoing discussion and mentoring and might include critical thinking, time management, scientific writing and publishing.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
This project will provide ideal learning experiences for pursuing careers in public health and related government departments. It can also provide foundation for potential future higher degree research options.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Students are encouraged to meet with Prof Astell-Burt on a fortnightly basis and will have access to the data and software needed to conduct the study. Capacity strengthening for specific quantitative methods are available.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
A student with WFH experience, with undergrad training in quantitative methods, with an interest in writing, and aspirations to drive positive change.
Social Work Projects
Research Projects offered in 2023 for Bachelor of Social Work with Honours
- Podcasting in Social Work Education
- End of Life Care in Sutherland Hospital
- Decolonial and indigenous research
- Transition project
- 'Learn to Live Again' Program Evaluation
- Nitrous oxide use among young people
- Animations in Social Work Placements
- Horse Sense: Equine Therapy
Project Title
Understanding the use of podcasts in social work education
Description
Over the last 5 years the use of podcasts in social work education internationally has increased significantly with the majority of social work educators informally acknowledging using them as a key teaching and learning tool. How podcasts are being used however is largely unknown. Research into the use of podcasting in social work education will inform a broader area of scholarship into how social work is taught and how we educate emerging practitioners, ie. social work pedagogy. For any Honours student undertaking this project there is also the option of an internship/ social work placement with the podcast production company, Social Work Media, which also houses the Social Work Stories and Social Work Discoveries podcasts.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Mim Fox
Co-supervisors: Ben Joseph (Western Sydney University)
External Stakeholders
Social Work Media
Discipline
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Mixed methods project with this stage focused on collecting and analysing survey data from social work educators in universities across Australia.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Literature review
- Survey data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
If the student opts for an internship/ placement they will also develop skills in podcast interviewing and production.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
All health and welfare contexts will benefit from a graduate with research and evaluation skills and podcasting is a growing industry with many human service sectors developing their own for their workforce needs.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Fortnightly supervision of 1 hour and informal support as needed.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Honours student with an interest in podcasting.
Project Title
The experience of end-of-life care in the acute setting of The Sutherland Hospital
Description
The Social Work Department at The Sutherland Hospital are investigating how service is provided to, and care is managed for, people and their families who are at the end stage of their lives whilst patients in the acute hospital setting. The aim of this project is to evaluate the care experience so that gaps can be understood and recommendations for improvements made. The project will be auspiced by a reference group made up of social workers in the hospital, and for final year social work students there is the option of undertaking a placement at the hospital whilst completing the Honours research.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Mim Fox
Co-supervisors: Joanna McIlveen - Bereavement Coordinator, South East Sydney Local Health District
External Stakeholders
The Sutherland Hospital - Social Work Department
Discipline
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Mixed methods project with this stage focused on collecting and analysing survey data from staff.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Literature review
- Survey data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Research presentation skills
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
Hospital and health social work- this project is a great networking opportunity. Skills are transferable to all social work contexts.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Fortnightly supervision of 1 hour and informal support as needed. Reference group will consult 3-5 times across the project.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Interest in hospital and health social work as a career path.
Project Title
Decolonial and indigenous research
Description
In some of my research projects, I promote decolonial methods, indigenous philosophies and knowledges from across the globe, but mainly from Africa. If you are interested in research that values, recognizes and decolonises indigenous worldviews, wherever you come from, please get in touch with me. If it does, then I am happy to work with you.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Jacob Rugare Mugumbate
Discipline
- Social Work
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
Literature review, media analysis or apply primary methods of data collection where feasible.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Searching and reviewing literature
- Using decolonial methods
- Using indigenous methods from across the globe
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
Working in international settings
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
- Regular meetings
- Literature
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- International students
- Local Indigenous students
- Domestic students interested in decolonial methods
Project Title
Transition project
Description
This project looks at experiences and stories of transition into community services, education and employment: a study of refugees and migrants in the Illawarra region.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Jacob Mugumbate
Co-supervisors: Dr Vinod Gopaldasani
External Stakeholders
Warrawong High School
Discipline
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- Literature review
- Photo voice
- Interviewing
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Searching and reviewing literature
- Using photograph research methods
- Interviewing
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
Work with refugees and migrant and multicultural services
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
- Weekly meetings
- Literature
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Someone interested in research with refugees and recent migrants or someone with lived experience.
Project Title
Learn to Live Again Program Evaluation
Description
The ‘Learn to Live Again’ (L2LA) is an eight-week evidence based therapeutic program addressing supports for women with children who are currently or have previously experienced family or domestic violence (FDV) and abuse.
Thus, the purpose of the L2LA program is to reconnect women to themselves, their bodies, to their families, and to the community around them. By healing these disrupted connections, the program aims to strengthen the bond between women and their children and provide a platform for women to begin to support their own children’s experiences of lived trauma.
The aim of the current project is to complete a small-scale evaluation of the L2LA program to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program in supporting survivors of FDV and abuse.
These aims and objectives include:
- To explore to what extent the L2LA program was implemented as intended.
- To explore how practitioners and clients experience different components of the program.
The project is significant for Barnardos Australia, as the L2LA program has been internally funded for the past five years.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Jacqui Cameron & Dr Delia Rambaldini-Gooding
Co-supervisors: Maria Corsiglia & Sarah Beale (Barnardos South Coast Children’s and Family Centre)
External Stakeholders
Discipline
- Social Sciences (BSS Hons.)
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- Evaluation research
- Literature review
- Interviews with women (n=6)
- Interviews with staff (n=2)
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
Research methods, including evaluation, understanding of the role evidence-based practice in treatment responses for domestic and family violence.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- Working in research.
- Working in DV settings.
- Working in NGOs.
- Pathway to HDR.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Expertise in all aspects of evaluation, and fortnightly supervision, support to publish peer-review publication. The student will be required to commence working with supervisors on the ethics application in December 2022.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- Interest in domestic violence interventions
- Interest in learning about program evaluation
Social work or social science student, interest in domestic violence research, interest in interpreting published literature and impacting practice for domestic and family violence.
To work with Barnardos, the student will require:
- Working with Children Check
- National Police Check
- Full vaccination including COVID-19
Project Title
Understanding nitrous oxide (N2O) use by young people
Description
This study involves in-depth interviews to explore young people’s (18-25 years) non-medical nitrous oxide (N2O) use.
The pleasurable and intoxicating effects of psychoactive substances result in widespread use. However, deaths and injury from psychoactive substance use, particularly among young people, are a global public health problem. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a dissociative anaesthetic that is used recreationally. Prevalence has doubled in recent years and presentations to emergency departments for N2O related illness and injury have increased. However, research on non-medical N2O use is limited and the cultural, contextual and personal reasons for using N2O have not been investigated. These are the critical factors in developing an effective harm reduction response.
The research team including peer researchers will then use the study findings to work with drug and alcohol clinicians to develop and disseminate harm reduction resources on N2O use.
This study is support by a recently pre-published review, A Systematic Review of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use: Implications for Policy, Service Delivery and Individuals.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Jacqui Cameron & Dr Helen Simpson
Co-supervisors: Dr Julaine Allan (CSU)
External Stakeholders
Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service
Discipline
Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- Qualitative research
- Interviews with young people (n=10)
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
Research methods, including qualitative research, understanding of the role harm reduction in responses to substance use.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- Working in research.
- Working in substance use.
- Working with young people.
- Pathway to HDR.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Expertise in all aspects of qualitative research, and fortnightly supervision, support to publish peer-review publication.
NOTE: This study already has ethics approval.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- Interest in substance use harm reduction
- Interest in qualitative research
- Interest In young people’s experiences
Social work student, with interest in reducing the harmful impacts of substance use.
NOTE: This project Will not criticise or punish drug use. Interested students must learn about and practice a harm reduction stance.
Project Title
Using animations to support social work students on placement
Description
This qualitative research study focuses on the use of interactive animations to prepare students for social work placement success.
This project builds on a current study that uses a combination of technology and workplace learning to increase student engagement.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Amanda Gigliotti & Dr Jacqui Cameron
Co-supervisors: Dr Lynn Sheridan
Discipline
Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
- Interviews with stakeholders (n=5)
- Interviews with students (n=5)
- Development of animation(s)
- Literature review on work-integrated learning (WIL) framework(s)
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
- Research methods, including qualitative research.
- Understanding the role of technology in learning and teaching.
- Skills in WIL.
- Develop skills in animation.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
- Working in research.
- Pathway to HDR.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
Expertise in all aspects of qualitative research, and fortnightly supervision, support to publish peer-review publication.
NOTE: The student will need to commence working with supervisors on ethics (if required) in December 2022.
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
- Social work student interested in placement learning and experiences.
- Interest in developing teaching and learning materials for other students.
- Interest in qualitative research.
Project Title
Horse sense: a different mode of social work practice
Description
In recent years Equine Therapy has been recognised as a useful trauma informed approach to working with children and adults which can take place outside in the paddock or inside the office. Equine therapy enables people to work with an equine therapist to find an increased sense of wellbeing in their lives as working alongside horses and ponies provides children and adults with an opportunity to safely explore interpersonal relationships. Horses can provide a non-judgemental presence and give honest feedback about how the person is impacting them from moment to moment which can be really beneficial in noticing the way in which people learn to relate to other living creatures. This research aims to capture some of those experiences in a visual format.
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Cathy Duncan and Charlotte Smedley
External Stakeholders
- Jess Eames Beveridge (BSW)
Discipline
- Social Work (BSW Hons.)
Frequently asked questions
What kind of data and/or research methods will it involve?
The project will use a mixed methods approach combining a visual methodology of autophotography or photo-elicitation to produce a visual record and personal story of people who are engaged with equine therapy. Using photographs encourages people to think about the value that engaging with the horse or pony brings to their lives, and the physical or mental wellbeing they obtain from participating in their equine therapy sessions.
What key skills and competencies can the student expect to develop?
The student will learn to develop an ethics application and work alongside the participants as they explore their relationship with the horse or pony. Engaging with children and adults in an informal setting and using a methodology which allows people to tell their story in the way they want helps students to understand the importance of working alongside people as they improve their own sense of wellbeing or develop their interpersonal skills and levels of confidence.
What career pathways and employment opportunities might value these expertise?
All social work settings value a practitioner who is able to work alongside people and recognise the value of listening and hearing their voice.
What resources, time commitment and other support are offered by the supervisor(s)?
The supervisors who are both keen horsewomen and have seen the role of horses in the lives of people with a disability people with mental health issues and people at their end stage of life will be available to give guidance and support to the student as they engage with the research
Who might be a suitable applicant for this project?
Someone who loves horses! Someone who is happy to work alongside children and adults as they learn to engage with their four footed friend.