Counselling, Human Services and Social Work

Project

This project explores what it means to be a professional in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will focus on professional bodies, such as: teaching, counselling, social work, psychology, law, nursing and other allied health professions. It is interested in how professional bodies articulate and theorise their professional identity constructions.

Four summer scholars will meet regularly to develop a scholarly relationship, share understandings, and be mentored by supervisors on relevant research skills. The programme of work will involve: Scoping professional body definitions and registration requirements, scoping literature in a range of relevant journals, analysis of literature, co-writing findings, publication with their supervisors.

Project

The objective of this study is to inform national policy by distilling the knowledge of experienced social workers, managers, and service recipients in the delivery of ‘for Māori-by Māori’ child protection services. The Research Questions addressed by the study are, in the context of ‘for Māori-by Māori’ services:

What support do whānau need to promote the care and protection of tamariki?
What services are currently provided to whānau to promote the care and protection of tamariki?

The scholar will preferable- but not necessarily be Māori. The main task will be to undertake a thorough international literature review with the support of the supervisor. It is possible that this will lead to other work on this project.

Project

This project supports three students to contribute to a unique study of Aotearoa social work practitioners’ and educators’ perspectives on three highly politicised topics: abortion, the rights of transgender and nonbinary people and assisted dying. These contentious subjects require social workers to engage with people and situations that may clash with their personal values. Summer scholar students will participate in three linked studies utilizing data from qualitative surveys to explore social worker perspectives. The team will create a vibrant group supervision experience where students can collaborate on the preparation of literature reviews and learn the skills of reflective thematic analysis.

Project

This project supports two students to contribute to a study examining social work educator’s perspectives on the place and integration of Mātauranga Māori in their pedagogy by exploring the complexities of resistance, challenges, and opportunities experienced. The findings may improve outcomes for Māori supported by social workers. Additionally, it may generate ideas for promoting a culturally inclusive curriculum and requirements for a skillset that fosters cultural understanding and respect. Summer Scholars will produce a literature synthesis on Mātauranga Māori in social work pedagogy and grow their interviewing skills through data collection.

Project

Research suggests that refugees’ access to mental health services is necessary for their successful integration into New Zealand. Refugees’ education, employment, social connections, and happiness are all associated with how they are supported by mental health services in the first few years of their settlement.

The scholar will support a current longitudinal study of refugees’ mental health service utilisation, wellbeing, and their associates as compared to a sample of NZ population. The scholar will undertake a scoping review of the current research on refugees’ mental health needs, experiences and service utilisation.

Project

This project explores disparities in the provision of health and social services in rural areas of Aotearoa New Zealand. Such disparities have been recognised in many developed countries since the 1990s. Recently, mortality reviews undertaken for the New Zealand Family Violence Death Review Committee have found that this problem persists. The Summer scholar will write a report based on reviewing international literature on rurality and service accessibility;;scoping relevant policy in the areas of health and social services, and seeking evidence about the role of local health trusts.

Project

Bullying behaviours in schools include removal / destruction of personal belongings; assaults; threats; malicious rumours; deliberate social isolation; and making fun of others. To address bullying behaviour in intermediate and secondary age young people, the Champions for Compassion programme aims to integrate compassion into their lives.

Two Summer Scholars are sought to interview up to 60 participants and conduct initial data analysis. Research questions:
1. Is the programme an effective psychoeducational intervention for increasing students’ compassion towards others, mindful awareness and resilience?
2. What are the experiences of students and other stakeholders such as parents and teachers in the programme?