Laura obtained her Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) in 2003 and commenced her career in child and family work following that time. Laura spent the next eight years, working in statutory child protection roles, progressing her career to senior practitioner as well as management roles during that time. She spent periods working in rural and remote locations, including a period of two years where she was privileged to work within and alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Far North Queensland area.
In 2011, Laura completed her Master of Social Work. She subsequently commenced working as a Single Expert Child Witness for the Family Court, spending periods working within the Australian Family Law Courts, as well as in private practice. Concurrently, Laura commenced her academic career, initially fulfilling sessional tutoring roles before being appointed as a full time academic at UniSC in 2022. Laura has written and presented on topics of childhood trauma, family violence, and childhood development matters to various forums throughout Southeast Queensland.
Laura’s practice interests include children’s human rights, forensic social work as well as critical social work practice within Australia.
Professional Memberships
- Australian Association of Social Workers
- Family Law Practitioners Association
Teaching areas
- SWK172 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
- SWK200 Social Work Practice in Various Organisational Settings
- SWK703 Introduction to Social Work
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Working with Indigenous Australians
- Social Work Practice Theories
- Social Work practice in Various Organisations
- Case work and Case management
- Context Responsive Social Work Practice