UniSC academic Dimi Lattas was named Social Work Researcher of the Year at the recent international conference of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Her research centres on young people who are at risk of coming in contact with the justice system, and her award-winning study across 10 countries was the first cross-national comparison of how forensic social work is taught and applied globally.

International UniSC student Cel Ileva was awarded Australia’s Social Work Student of the Year.

Cel, an international Master of Social Work student at UniSC’s Sunshine Coast campus, has a background in management and experience working with youth in five different countries.

Her award-winning assessment addressed a lack of cultural understanding in schools and highlighted a disconnect between social work theory and educational practice.

“The lecturers and diverse cohort – with students ranging in age from 25 to 70 – all bring unique perspectives and lived experiences that enrich my academic, professional and personal growth. This award is a reminder of our potential to contribute, regardless of our starting point.”

UniSC Social Work Lecturer Dr Vinathe Sharma-Brymer said she nominated Cel for the award for her outstanding efforts to apply social work values to achieve equity and social justice.

“Cel has taken an active student leader role, as the UniSC International Student Group Co-Chair and Student Representative of the School of Law and Society, demonstrating her commitment to peer support, diversity, inclusion, and social justice,” Dr Sharma-Brymer said.

UniSC Assistant Associate Dean Dr Zalia Powell was awarded for her work using digital photography as a stimulus to shed light on the lived experiences of vulnerable populations.

She received the Australian and New Zealand Social Work, Welfare Education and Research award for innovative research about new and emerging social media and digital technologies.

“My research provides a platform for vulnerable people’s stories to be heard and valued, including research on the lived experience of raising a transgender and gender non-conforming child from the parent perspective, using qualitative photovoice methodology,” Dr Powell said.

Dr Powell, who has presented her research at major national and international conferences, has recently partnered with the Australian Institute of Family Studies to develop an evidence-based resource for clinicians working with transgender and gender diverse youth and their families.

UniSC’s Social Work program is focused on research and learning that develops highly skilled approaches required for some of the complex social issues people experience in an ever-changing world.

Graduates are equipped to work with skill and passion to enhance the social wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, both locally and globally.