Research is an integral part of the programme with staff members and students spending significant time on research activities. All academic staff have active research programmes covering a wide range of interests.
We enjoy a strong relationship and supervisory role with graduate students who are undertaking research. Graduate students have the opportunity to carry out self-directed research work through the MA in Human Services (thesis only), MSW and the PhD.
For further information about our research go to:
Māori Social Service and Professional Practice Research Team
This research group has been established to support the advancement and evaluation of Māori social work practice, Māori community development practice, Māori health and social service providers and Māori economic and social development.
For further information please contact:
- Anaru Eketone anaru.eketone@otago.ac.nz
- Shayne Walker shayne.walker@otago.ac.nz
Social Justice and Child Protection Aotearoa (SJCP)
The SJCP research network is comprised of researchers, academics, educators, policymakers, practitioners and people with lived experience of the child protection system. Our aim is to describe, analyse and reduce the inequities that shape people's trajectories through the system, and people's experiences ofit. Addressing these requires a focus on multiple factors ranging from social and economic conditions, issues related to the distribution of authority and resources under te Tiriti, and the distribution, roles and responses of organisations in this context. While our focus is research, we define that broadly and have a strong emphasis on research collaborations across sectors and disciplines, social impact and advocacy.
Visit Social Justice and Child Protection Aotearoa
Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work (ANZSW) Journal
The Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work journal is edited by a collective. Three members of the collective are based at the University of Otago, (Emily Keddell, Anaru Eketone and Shayne Walker), and the system used for the journal is hosted at the University of Otago library. Processor Liz Beddoe, University of Auckland, is the Editor in Chief, and other members of the collective are from a wide range of other institutions. The journal is the only social work journal in Aotearoa, and is a key publication for both established and emerging social work scholars. It is open access and supportive of new voices in social work research, with a thriving international contribution and readership.
To read more visit the journal home site
Australian New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research (ANZSWWER)
The Social and Community Work programme at the University of Otago are institutional members of ANZSWWER. ANZSWWER is a leading voice and independent commentator on progressive and high quality social work and welfare education and research across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Facilitating international and national research and education networks. ANZSWWER also has an open access peer-reviewed journal and an annual symposium.
The social and Community Work programme is excited to be hosting the 2024 symposium in Dunedin on 19 and 20 November 2024. this is the first time it is to be held in Te Waipounamu, and the first time to be in Aotearoa New Zealand in seven years. With a great line up of keynote speakers, oral paper presentations, poster displays and panel discussions, this two-day symposium will cover a range of contemporary challenges and developments in social work and human services. Nau mai, haere mail. Social work educators, practitioners, students, supervisors, managers, and social service providers are warmly invited.