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Postgraduate research in Social and Community Work

The Social and Community Work department offer three main postgraduate degrees where students engage in independent research and complete a thesis.

The Master of Social Work is a combination of taught papers and an independent research project with thesis. This degree is designed for qualified social workers who already have some experience in social services and are wishing to extend their practice knowledge and research skills.

The Master of Human Services is a thesis only degree. Students must complete an independent research project and write a thesis up to 40,000 words with the support of a supervisor.

The Social and Community Work staff also offer PhD supervision across a range of topic areas. Candidates enrolled in the PhD pathway will be supported to develop their independent research skills and complete a final thesis of up to 1000,000 words. The thesis should demonstrate originally and make a significant contribution to  knowledge in their chosen field.

Postgraduate student profiles

Umi Asaka

Umi Asaka is a Master (Thesis only) student in the Social Work Department of the University of Otago and a Junior Research Fellow at the Donald Beasley Institute.  As a disabled person herself, she is interested in improving the reality of disabled people's lives in our community. Her research topic is 'exploring how relational-autonomy guided the transformation of Friendlink – which is a 'social bumping' place for people with and  without learning disabilities in South Dunedin.'  She is completing her degree under the guidance of Dr Katheryn Margaret Pascoe.

Neil Ballantyne

I'm a part-time, distance-learning doctoral  candidate in social and community work at the University of Otago, and a Principal Lecturer in Social Work at the Open Polytechnic. For many years I have been interested in the use of technology applications in social services and my thesis title is 'Advancing Data Justice: Issues, Interventions and Implications.' In essence I will be studying the work of several case study organisations who are involved in tracing the social harms associated with the use of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning in social welfare organisations. My thesis is a hybrid one so it will include some published work like the chapter on Advancing Data Justice. You can find out more about data justice at my linktree site or contact me at neil.ballantyne@openpolytechnic.ac.nz

Louie  Claasen

My research is driven by my experience as a statutory social worker in South Africa, where I observed that children were often excluded from meaningful participation in child protection proceedings, despite existing legislation supporting their involvement. My master's research revealed that many children were unprepared for children's court, lacked understanding of their role, and often felt negative emotions related to the process. For my PhD, I am further investigating the knowledge, experiences, and needs of children who have been engaged in children's court procedures in South Africa, drawing insights from the perspectives of children, social workers, magistrates, and child-appointed lawyers. I am currently completing my PhD part-time whilst working full-time in the Social and Community Work programme supporting students on their field education placements.

Nathan Jaquiery

My doctoral thesis explores the perceptions and experiences of foster parents and social workers, as well as seeking the voices and views of young people who are in permanent foster care placements. I aim to examine the elements, characteristics and attributes that contribute to perceived placement success for young people as they journey out of the foster care system. This research relies on an explorative qualitative methodology, where semi-structured interviews will inform each case study.

Veronique Shields

I am a Master of Social Work student.  With a practice background in child protection and community-based practice, I am  undertaking a dissertation on young children's participation in family support social work as part of my Master of Social Work. The working title of my project is 'Wisdom from below: How young children participate in assessment and decision-making processes'. Studying a MSW part-time through the University of Otago has provided flexibility whilst caring for my own three young children.

Therese Styles

Studying a MA in Human Services, my thesis explores how newly qualified social workers utilise supervision to develop their sense of self-efficacy as they transition into practice. During my own journey from newly qualified to my current role in hospital-based health social work, I became interested in how we as practitioners develop our sense of confidence in being able to influence our practice and effect change.

Completed theses

  • McKenzie, Kirsty (2021) Nga Aukaha o Te Whare Moana: Nga Rautaki Korero o te Wahine o Te Whare Moana / The Ripple Effect of the Moana House Programme: Perspectives of Female Family Members of Past Residents, MSW.
  • Allott, Lorna (2021) 'A Lightbulb in the Darkness' – How NGO Social Workers Conceptualise the Strengths Perspective in Child Welfare, MSW.
  • Eketone, Anaru (2020) The principles of Māori directed practice and development, PhD.
  • Kattoura, Ola (2020) Arab battered women in Israel: How social and political contexts shape their experiences, PhD.
  • Johnston, Lorraine (2020) Housing sectors in Invercargill – who benefits?, MSW.
  • Parkinson, Adele (2019) Socio-ecological resilience and parental mental illness: Child and parent perspectives of service delivery, PhD.
  • Mazai, Petronilla (2018) How Migrants and Refugees Experience Play Therapy: The influences of cultural background and interactions with Social Services, MSW.
  • McCafferty, Elizabeth (2018) Social Work Skills for Students Prior to Fieldwork Placement, MA in Human Services.
  • King, Lisa-Marie (2017) Indigenous Social Work Practice Development: The contribution of manaakitanga to Mana-enhancing social work practice theory, MSW.
  • Chung, Saemyi (2017) In Pursuit of Beauty Within the Ageing Body: Voices from older Korean women in New Zealand, PhD.
  • Wason, Susan (2017) Saints or Communists? The story of Dunedin/Ōtepoti food banks and foodshare. MA in Human Services.
  • Randal, Howard (2017) There's a new kid on the block. A longitudinal study of the aspirations held by members of the social work profession for the introduction of statutory registration for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand … and the consequences. MSW.
  • Beale, Sally (2017) Child Sexual Abuse: Knowing and not knowing in social work practice and education, PhD.
  • Murray, Vicki (2017) Hoki ki tōu maunga kia purea ai koe ki ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea. A tangata whenua model of supervision. Masters in Clinical Supervision.
  • Tompkins, Gina (2017) The legal and practice implications of the s18A amendment to the Children Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989, Masters Human Services.
  • Harvey, Monique (2017) "Baby Mama": The experiences of being a teenage parent, Master's in Supervision and Management.
  • Fraser, Sarah (2017) Is there a Suit Missing in the Social Worker's Wardrobe? A study of the nature and extent of an educator role in everyday social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, PhD.
  • Bruce, Gabrielle (2017) Pregnant Adolescents: how do social workers assess their parenting capacity?, MA in Childhood and Youth Studies.
  • Willers, Rob (2017) Treatment Adherence Among People with Schizophrenia: an application of the theory of planned behaviour, MSW.
  • Roxborogh, Phillip (2016) Understanding how mature students make sense of success in the Social Work Programme at the University of Otago.  Plotting a Sociological Revolution using the thinking tools of Pierre Bourdieu,  MA in Human Services.
  • Ikkala, Shirley (2016) Aroha Across the PA Honouring our Kuia: Whānau and the role of Kuia in the 21st Century – a Māori Perspective, MSW.
  • Hannan, Monica (2016) The Impact of Notification to Statutory Services on the NGO Client-Worker Relationship, MSW.
  • Whyte, Susan (2016) Parenting self-efficacy in parents of adolescents: Does it increase by completing The Parenting Place Tween & Teens Toolbox Parenting Programme? MSW.
  • Kapea-Maslin, Shona (2016) Kaupapa Māori: Fact or Fiction? MSW.
  • George, Jane E. (2015) The Health & Wellbeing Connection:  Supporting Frequent Visitors at the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department to Develop the Skills to Successfully Navigate Their Health Journey, MSW.
  • Greer, Andrea (2015) Relationships Matter?  Multiple Perspectives on Children's Attachment Experiences in Group Home Settings, MSW endorsed in Mental Health Practice.
  • McKean, Kaye M. (2015) Effects of 'The Teachability Factor' Professional Development Workshop on Teachers' Perceptions of Challenging Children in their Classroom, MSW.
  • Wilson, Pamela (2015) The Journey out of Childhood Relational Trauma – Adult clients and therapists consider the usefulness of the therapeutic relationship in mediating childhood abuse and childhood relational trauma, MSW endorsed in Supervision and Social Services.
  • Devescovi, Karen (2014) Challenges relatives face when they have a family member with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, MSW.
  • Beaton, Ana (2013) Tahuri Atu Mentoring Programme, MSW.
  • Deighton, Sarah (2013) Breaking bad news – the factors which  influence the process of breaking bad news within a New Zealand hospital  setting, MSCW.
  • Keddell, Emily (2013) Beyond Care versus Control: Decision-making  discourses and their functions in child protection social work, PhD.
  • Lee, Karlene (2013) Should I stay or should I go: a study of NZNGO social service managers' job satisfaction, job dissatisfaction and the  implications for retention, MSW.
  • Mou-Vagi, Limu (2013) Struggles of Rural Youth: Factors that empower and  disempower youth in rural villages – Central Province, PNG, MSCW.
  • Schwalger, Sharon (2013) Long Term Psychiatric Patients, MSW.
  • Derrett, Michelle (2012) Health Social Work Competency Framework, MSW.
  • Gillan, Vivienne (2012) Ending alcohol Abuse in Aoetearoa, MSW.
  • Hollis-English, Awhina (2012) Maori Social Workers: Experiences within social services organisations, PhD.
  • Huling, Joan (2012) "It's All About U" Leadership Course, MSCW.
  • Osam, Ejukwa (2012) Factors that Deter and Enhance Recovery from  Demoralisation Among Refugees and Migrants in Christchurch, PhD.
  • Radford, Mark (2012) More Than Just Meds, MSW.
  • Service, Karen (2012) Women's Views of the EDPS, MSW.
  • Tiano, Noel (2012) Advance Directives and Older People, MSCW.
  • Ellery, Lincoln (2011) Does NZ need a sex offender register? MSW.
  • Jasperse, Kyla (2011) Difficulties faced by Maori students that have disabilities at Otago University, MSW.
  • Gavigan, Kathleen (2011) Developing and Preserving Wellbeing at the Front Line of New Zealand Police, PhD
  • Riwhi, Jan (2011) Shared Parenting: Mothers' Experiences, MSW.
  • Dodson, Marsa (2010) Practising Tamariki 'Angai: Mangaia's Informal Island Adoption, PhD.
  • Gillanders, Margaret (2010) Recording Social Work Supervision, MSW.
  • Taylor, Sarah (2010) Mental Health Brief Intervention, MSW.
  • Wereta, Suzanne (2010) Toi Maori Ki Otepoti, MSCW.
  • Camp, Justine (2009) Social Impact of Type II Diabetes, MCApSc.
  • Mierzejewski, Piotr (2009) Consumer Inclusion in CCSDA N.Z., MSCW.
  • Poihipi, Vanessa (2009) Seeing Iwi Maori, Being Iwi Maori, MSCW.
  • Stirling, Blair (2009) Moving Beyond Acknowledgement: An  investigation of the role of spirituality and religion within the  professional practice of social work in Aotearoa/New Zealand, PhD.
  • Weir, Megan (2009) Impact of Measurement Accountability, MSW.
  • Aiono-Faletolu, Tala (2008) Assumed voices of Samoa, MSW.
  • Coote, Pania (2008) Going Home? MSW.
  • Flinn, Jan (2008) Kotuki Experience – Peer Service Delivery, MSW.
  • Frengley, Shiona (2008) Kinship Care: Roots or Grafts? MSW.
  • Johnstone, Jocelyn (2008) Attachment with Russian Children, MA.
  • Marshall, Sally (2008) Weaving & Healing with Whānau, MSW.
  • Criglington, Ivan (2007) Family Inclusive Teamwork in Mental Health, MSW.
  • Iyiani, Christian (2007) A Case Study of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Nigeria: Assessment and recommendations, PhD.
  • Favell, Margaret (2007) Power, Control and Accountability in a Voluntary  Organisation: The implications for professional staff and service  delivery, PhD.
  • McKay, James (2007) Men's Mental Health, MSW.
  • Perera, Druinie (2007) Seen & Not Heard, MCApSc.
  • Walker, Peter (2007) For better or for worse. A case study analysis of  social services partnerships in Aotearoa/New Zealand, PhD.
  • Fanene-Taiti, Hana (2006) Identities of NZ Born Samoans, MCApSc.
  • Hollis, Awhina (2006) Pūao-te-Ata-tū and Māori Social Work Methods, MA.
  • Jardine, Felicite (2006) Refugee Health, MSW.
  • McArthur, Carroll (2006) Adolescence, Bereavement & Coping, MA.
  • Te Koeti, Irene (2006) Evaluation of the Temper Tamers Programme, MSW.
  • Eketone, Anaru (2005) Tapuwae, MCApSc.
  • McArthur, Dorothy (2005) Support for Vietnamese Social Work, MCApSc.
  • McInerney, Judith (2005) The Buddy Programme, MSW.
  • Ngahooro, Roger (2005) The Pragmatics of Whānau in Education, MCApSc.
  • Bennett, Patricia (2004) The 'L' in Counselling, MSW.
  • Bernhardt, Juan (2003) Employment & Mental Illness, MSW.
  • Cunningham, Polly (2003) Probation Work with Victims, MSW.
  • Charteris, Nicola (2002) Counselling with Feminist Imagery, MCApSc.
  • King, Denise (2002) Women's Perspective on Crime, MCApSc.
  • Newton, Debra (2002) Children's Prespectives on Family Violence, MCApSc.
  • Walker, Shayne (2002) The Maatua Whangai Programme O Otepoti, MCApSc.
  • Ellis, Marion (2001) Victims, Restorative Justice & the NZ Family Conference, MCApSc.
  • Shannon, Bernadine (2001) Adoption Reunion Practice Model, MSW.
  • Carver, Jayne (2000) Consumer Perceptions of Health Care, MCApSc.
  • Kelliher, Marie (2000) Help-Seeking Behaviour and Youth Suicide Prevention, MCApSc.
  • Stewart, Jeremy (1999) Empowering Practices, MCApSc.
  • Perry, Claire (1997) Intentional Community Network Building, MCApSc.
  • Walker, Peter (1997) Power Relationships & Law Centres, MCApSc.
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