School of Social Sciences
The School of Social Sciences is known for its enthusiastic students, committed teaching staff including national award-winning teachers, and leading researchers. We are proud of our involvement through research, teaching and service in major issues that engage our local, national and global communities.
The School offers excellent undergraduate learning experiences through its programs which span psychology, social work, counseling and human services; urban and regional planning; sociology, politics, development studies and futures; and history, geography and Indigenous Studies. We attract students from around the world as well as from our local region and other parts of Australia. Our programs include opportunities for independent research projects, work integrated learning including internships, and overseas study. The School’s postgraduate programs provide pathways for students seeking careers in psychology, social work, counselling and regional and urban planning. Our professional programs are externally accredited. The School’s Honours programs offer students the opportunity to pursue their research passions.
Our highly-qualified academic and professional staff are undertaking major projects which are attracting national and international recognition. Those projects include nationally funded research on human factors analysis, with the aim of saving individuals’ lives and ensuring more effective responses to emergencies; work that seeks to prevent child sexual abuse; an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project improving outcomes for farmers in the Pacific Islands; caring for country and Indigenous community leadership; and use of digital technologies and interactive exhibits to enhance community capacity and solve social problems; and improving clinical outcomes for individuals with persistent pain.
A very incomplete list of other research being pursued by both staff and postgraduate students includes allied health, social work and ethics; historical contributions in environmental planning; Indigenous engagement in environmental management; neohumanism and educational futures; motivation and performance; organisational theory; water planning; and human–animal interactions. The School has a vibrant higher degree by research community.
School of Social Sciences