Bio:

Since March 2017 I have been Professor of Social Work at the University of Auckland; concurrently I hold an appointment as Charles O. Cressey Endowed Professor Emerita at the University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, USA. My research and scholarship focuses on the role of social, built, and physical environments in shaping the life outcomes of marginalized groups, on intersecting issues of place, agency, and equity, and on the participatory rights of marginalized children, young people and families. Particular areas of focus include children, young people and families in urban settings and/or involved with child protection services, and the social implications of changing global environments. I also have a longstanding interest in social work history and theory.

My scholarship is grounded in and informed by my community-based practice experience, initially as a child welfare social worker in New Zealand and later as a consultant to community agencies in urban neighbourhoods in the United States. I have a strong interest in working across disciplinary, theoretical, and methodological borders, partnering with communities and services, and connecting theory, research, and practice.


Committees, Professional Groups, Services:

Co-lead, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative , "Create Social Responses to a Changing Environment"
Co-lead and founding member, University of Washington Urban@UW Initiative
Regional Editor (Australasia), Child and Family Social Work.
External Review Board, Social Service Review


Distinctions/Honours:

Fellow, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, 2017
Doctoral Mentor Award, University of Washington School of Social Work, 2017
Fellow, Society of Social Work and Social Research, 2016
Richard Lodge Prize, Adelphi University, 2011
University of Washington Distinguished Teaching Award, 2003
PhD Awarded with Distinction, Columbia University, New York, 1994

Qualifications:
PhD (Columbia), MA (Auck), BA (Massey)