List of contributors
Jane Bowland is the Copyright and Open Content Librarian with Charles Sturt University’s Division of Library Services, where she advocates for open access solutions to make knowledge freely accessible. Before joining Charles Sturt, she worked for the Northern Territory Government and witnessed the challenges policy makers, practitioners, and researchers face when information is locked behind paywalls. She is passionate about open educational resources (OER) and open access licensing.
Lauren Brumby is Acting Manager, Academic Services (Student Learning) with Charles Sturt University’s Division of Library Services. As a librarian, Lauren has long supported faculty in navigating the complexities of locating and using licensed materials for both teaching and research. Open educational resources offer solutions or alternatives to many of those challenges. Lauren is motivated to advance the OER conversation due to the benefits they can have on student learning outcomes, in addressing inequities in access to scholarly information, and in improving accessibility.
Karen Dempsey is a Placement Academic for the Charles Sturt University Social Work program. Over her social work career, which spans fifty years, she has always incorporated groups into her social work practice no matter what the setting. Within her current role, she brings students on placements together in small groups to discuss the main themes and challenges of placement. During her career, Karen has developed and facilitated groups for youth, disability support, parenting, dementia and carer support, children’s therapy, and postnatal support/rites of passage groups for new mothers. In the 1980s, as a Child Development Social Worker in Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia, she brought together Early Childhood Nurses in monthly groups aimed at supporting their efforts to establish parenting groups, which are now a formal part of their role. Karen has a degree in Social Work from New South Wales University and a Postgraduate degree in Adult Education from Armidale University.
Rohena Duncombe has a professional background in community health, including groups for people separating or divorcing, quitting smoking, women experiencing menopause, high schoolers struggling socially, living with anxiety and depression, and building confidence. She is an accredited mental health social worker now teaching social work at Charles Sturt University.
Abiola Emmanuel is a seasoned health professional with over ten years of experience in human services, specialising in mental health. She supports individuals with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, suicidal ideations, schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. She is committed to Trauma-Informed Care and achieving optimal recovery outcomes. Abiola is currently completing her Master of Social Work degree (Professional Qualifying) at Charles Sturt University.
Rebecca Fabry is Manager, Academic Services (Learning & Teaching) with Charles Sturt University’s Division of Library Services. One of Rebecca’s key focus areas is supporting teaching at Charles Sturt University and promoting student success by ensuring equitable access to resources. Rebecca is particularly passionate about open educational resources as a means to support our students, improve access to knowledge and advance social justice, and is enthusiastic about the significant role the Library can play in this important initiative.
Jaspreet Ganda has over five years of experience in supporting individuals with disabilities, both physical and mental and has developed expertise in handling complex cases. Her work experience at the Youth Justice Centre has provided valuable experience in supporting youth with mental health issues and practising a trauma-informed approach. Currently, as a Behaviour Support Practitioner, Jaspreet manages a diverse group of clients with complex diagnoses and challenging behaviours. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at Charles Sturt University to further enhance her skills and knowledge in the field, aiming to continue making a positive impact in the lives of those she supports.
Cara Jacobs has worked extensively in human service delivery with people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those experiencing vulnerability, intersectional disadvantage such as trauma, poor mental health, cognitive disabilities, insecure housing, social isolation, family breakdown, problematic drug or alcohol use and intergenerational trauma across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and regional New South Wales, Australia. She operates using Trauma Informed, Strengths based, Human Rights, Anti-Oppressive and Culturally Responsive Frameworks. Cara’s multicultural and linguistically diverse background, upbringing in South Africa during apartheid and husband and children’s Indigeneity have shaped her strong sense of social justice, Indigenous self-determination and has taught her the importance of recognising and responding to the impact of colonisation through decolonizing practices in her work. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, chairs the strategic cross government-sector homelessness network, is a member of the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers (INCIng), member of the ACT Therapeutic Support Panel, member of the Ministerial Council on the Ageing and is currently the Chief Operating Officer at YWCA Canberra, where she takes a systems reform approach to advocacy, policy and practice.
Delphin Gil Jerly Gilbert is a dedicated health professional with extensive experience in case management, therapeutic programs, and community development, particularly in homelessness, mental health, and domestic violence. She holds a degree in Medicine and is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Charles Sturt University. As an experienced trainer in community service, Delphin is passionate about advocating for women and children, having developed multicultural social groups and fostering strong social connections and collaboration.
Caitlin Grove works in the adult mental health setting, as a developing social worker. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and is currently completing a master degree in Social Work (Professional Qualifying) with Charles Sturt University.
Chima Ihesiulor has over seven years of experience working with young people and their families who have experienced various forms of trauma in the out-of-home care as a youth worker, case manager, house manager and program manager. Chima is currently completing a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at Charles Sturt University.
Adrian McCarthy is a practitioner with a passion for supporting people with multiple and complex needs. He has worked in frontline, case management and leadership roles across the ACT and Melbourne, supporting adults and young people living with trauma, mental health and addiction issues, involvement in the custodial and out-of-home-care systems, and violence prevention. Adrian is currently completing his Bachelor of Social Work degree at Charles Sturt University and hopes to have a lengthy and impactful career in the field.
Cáitleen Moloney combines a deep understanding of healthcare access complexities with a strong commitment to social justice. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Honours) and currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) at Charles Sturt University. Cáitleen is dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health. Her educational background guides her passion for equitable healthcare, motivating her to empower individuals and advocate for systemic inclusivity in both healthcare and social services.
Evie Roberts is an experienced youth worker specialising in co-facilitating groups for at-risk youth. She has also worked with young adults with a disability to help them develop skills for work. Evie is currently completing her undergraduate degree in social work at Charles Sturt University, and hopes to continue working with children and youth after she graduates.
Emma Rush, PhD, is a lecturer in Philosophy in the School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University. As an ‘interdisciplinary’ philosopher, Emma teaches and researches mainly in professional and applied ethics, with particular strength in social work and human services ethics. In collaboration with Dr Monica Short, she researches in ethics and other areas relevant to social work, co-supervises postgraduate research students, and provides inspirational professional development webinars on ethical practice for professional organisations. Emma is a member of the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers (INCInq) and an expert social researcher with the Charles Sturt’s Gulbali Research Institute.
Monica Short, PhD, is a practitioner-researcher specialising in participatory co-designed collaborations within education, health and human service organisations (government and non-government institutions). Monica is a group work practitioner with over 30 years of experience in facilitating groups in research, advocacy, community engagement, health, children and family, income security and church settings. She is an academic at Charles Sturt University School of Social Work and Arts. In collaboration with Dr Rush, she co-supervises postgraduate students and co-presents professional development workshops on ethics. She is also the coordinator of the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers (INCInq) – website: https://incinq.csu.domains, an expert social researcher with the CSU Gulbali Research Institute, and a Centre Scholar with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. For a list of publications, please visit https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&user=ldt-4GcAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
Tyne Smedley works in mental health and suicide prevention policy. She has an undergraduate degree in chemistry and is studying for her Master of Social Work at Charles Sturt University. Upon graduating, she hopes to pursue further social work research opportunities and practise social work internationally.
