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Dr Debby Lynch
Dr

Debby Lynch

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+61 7 336 53024

Overview

Background

Overview

Deborah Lynch is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Student Engagement, Experience and Employability (SEEE) Academic Lead in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work (NMSW) since September 2021. In this academic leadership role, Deborah engages with staff and students groups across the different disciplines and programs in NMSW to facilitate participatory practices and create multiple opportunities for students to engage, express themselves, connect and belong. This has involved partnering with students from each discipline in the School in a Student-Staff Partnership (SSP) Project to co-create a NMSW Student Experience Action Plan (SAP). The SSP project positioned student voices at the heart of the process and emphasised the added value of interdisciplinary connections to facilitate the interchange of knowledge, practice and skills between disciplines that side-steps separate and distinct professional silos.

Since joining UQ, Deborah has undertaken a range of leadership roles in the School. From 2013 until 2016, she was Program Lead of the Bachelor of Social Work and subsequently Bachelor of the Social Work (Honours) overseeing the program through the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Academic Program Review (APR), mapping to AQF Level 8 (Honours) and Reaccreditation of the Program by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS) in 2016. She resumed this leadership role to lead the APR and Reaccreditation of the Program in 2021. She was the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Program Lead in the School from 2019 to 2021 leading the program through COVID-19.

Deborah teaches social work across undergraduate and post-graduate programs in the School and supervises Higher Degree by Research students. Her main teaching areas are group work, community development and international social work. She brings many years of experience in hospital and community-based social work as well as international community development practice in South Africa, India (Kolkata and Bangalore), Nepal (Kathmandu) and Indonesia (North Sumatra) to her teaching. Central to her pedagogy is modelling professional practice by example, and creating safe, supported and enabling learning environments where social work students can build their repertoire of practice skills and capacities which empowers them as learners and future professionals. Deborah grounds her social work teaching in values such as social justice and human rights, criticality and working collectively to nurture dynamic, innovative forms of practice that can respond to contemporary community, environmental and societal issues. Deborah is passionate about social work and the environment and researches and incorporates ecosocial work into her community development teaching. She is a member of BrisLETS which is a Brisbane-based local energy trading system.

Since joining UQ, Deborah has attained recognition for her teaching through receiving the following awards: Dean's Scholar Commendations for Teaching (2012 and 2013); School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Teaching and Learning Award: Respect and Support for the Development of Students (2016); UQ Teaching and Learning Award: Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2017); and Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Teaching and Learning Award: Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2022). She became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy through the HEA@UQ program in June 2019 which is an established international recognition scheme for university educators. Currently she is an Affiliate Academic with the UQ Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation (ITaLI) which is an academic outreach role offered by ITaLI to UQ academics who can demonstrate expertise in teaching and learning.

Since her first research paper on child sexual abuse in The South African Medical Journal in 1988, Deborah has published on systems, policies and practices in health, education and justice that impact on children, young people, families, and communities. In Australia, she developed the North Sydney Area Health Service’s response to young people and adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse, and contributed to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) policy and protocols in New South Wales (and subsequently in Ireland). In Canberra, Deborah developed support programs for refugee children with the Torture and Trauma Rehabilitation and Network Service (TRANSACT). Her publications on children’s rights and child protection foreground the critical contributions of child protection practitioners, academics, non-government organisations, professional groups, children’s rights advocates and child abuse survivor groups to policy, theory, research, and practice. Working with East Cork Area Development (ECAD) which is a community partnership between public, community and voluntary sectors; youth organisations in East Cork; and the Health Service Executive (HSE), Deborah collaborated on a community-based project which explored the needs of over 700 young people in Cork, Ireland.

Deborah is committed to international outreach, engagement and leadership in social work and community development research and education.Through international collaborations in social work in Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Singapore, Deborah contributes to interdisciplinary leadership in collaborative projects and journal publications including the British Journal of Social Work, European Journal of Social Work, Social Work Education and Ethics and Social Welfare. She co-authored Social Work and Community Development: A Critical Practice Perspective (2015; Palgrave McMillan) with Dr. Catherine Forde at University College Cork in Ireland and in 2021 she co-edited a themed section of the Community Development Journal with Dr Catherine Ford (University of Cork) and Dr Athena Lathouras (University of the Sunshine Coast). The section focused on community development and social work education and explored contemporary themes such as COVID-related circumstances, digital technologies for social good, the climate crisis and economic inequality and achieving economic opportunity and justice. In addition, Deborah contributes to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning through innovative conceptual papers such as the use of visual pedagogies to develop students’ observational skills and criticality in a digital era (The British Journal of Social Work) and on her teaching experiences and lessons learned during COVID-19 (UQ Teaching and Learning Newsletter; Social Dialogue).

Deborah builds interdisciplinary partnerships through research collaborations which align with, and support her program of research in community development. Her recent Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project (2022-2025) focuses on how school-community partnerships underpinned by social justice principles can enable and empower young people experiencing disadvantages and vulnerabilities to engage in education. She is part of an established research team and program initiated by the UQ Humanities and Social Science (HASS) Strategic Research Funding (SRF) Scheme. This research builds on commissioned work with the Queensland Department of Education on school attendance.

Deborah is passionate about health equity. She is keen to draw on community development approaches in research scholarship to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities. In November, 2023 she contributed to the Singapore Ministry of Health National Training Programme as a Visiting Expert in Community Development. Currently, through an inter-disciplinary Indigenous research collaboration within nursing and midwifery colleagues and HDR social work students in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Deborah is researching community-based prevention programs and initiatives to address Rheumatic Heart Disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

Availability

Dr Debby Lynch is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor, Stellenbosch University
  • Bachelor (Honours), Stellenbosch University
  • Masters (Coursework), University of Cape Town
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney

Works

Search Professor Debby Lynch’s works on UQ eSpace

62 works between 1993 and 2024

1 - 20 of 62 works

2024

Book Chapter

Chapter 7: Eco-diversity at the margins: Permaculture as an ecosocial pedagogy for social work

Skinner, Alex and Lynch, Deborah (2024). Chapter 7: Eco-diversity at the margins: Permaculture as an ecosocial pedagogy for social work. Teaching and Learning in Ecosocial Work. (pp. 145-161) edited by Catherine Forde, Satu Ranta-Tyrkkö, Pieter Lievens, Komalsingh Rambaree and Helena Belchior-Rocha. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-58708-5_10

Chapter 7: Eco-diversity at the margins: Permaculture as an ecosocial pedagogy for social work

2024

Conference Publication

Ending rheumatic heart disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: A systematic review of prevention programs in Australia

Cai, Yumeng (Emma), Delaney, Lori, Lynch, Debby, Kilgour, Catherine, Cunninghame, Jacqueline, Toombs, Maree, Ullman, Amanda, Takashima, Mari, Maxwell, Karina, Thompson, Kate, Moore, Jane and Holland, Lorelle (2024). Ending rheumatic heart disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: A systematic review of prevention programs in Australia. The National Nursing Forum, Cairns, QLD Australia, 14-16 August 2024. Canberra: Australian College of Nursing.

Ending rheumatic heart disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: A systematic review of prevention programs in Australia

2024

Other Outputs

Visiting expert report: Empowering communities for health: the dynamic role of community development in Singapore

Lynch, Deborah and Forde, Catherine (2024). Visiting expert report: Empowering communities for health: the dynamic role of community development in Singapore. d Singapore: Ministry of Health.

Visiting expert report: Empowering communities for health: the dynamic role of community development in Singapore

2024

Journal Article

Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia

Clarke, Annaley, Healy, Karen, Lynch, Debby and Featherstone, Gerald (2024). Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 156 107289, 107289. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107289

Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia

2023

Conference Publication

Exploring school-community partnerships approaches to improve school attendance: a systematic review of the literature

Lynch, Deborah, Carroll, Annemaree, Mills, Martin and Corbett, Brooklyn (2023). Exploring school-community partnerships approaches to improve school attendance: a systematic review of the literature. ANZSWWER 2023 Symposium: Being Global, Regional and Local in Social Work and Human Services: Opportunities and Challenges for Innovation, Griffith University Gold Coast Queensland Australia, 2-3 November 2023.

Exploring school-community partnerships approaches to improve school attendance: a systematic review of the literature

2023

Journal Article

The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research

Clarke, Annaley, Healy, Karen, Lynch, Deborah and Featherstone, Gerald (2023). The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. doi: 10.1177/16094069231186257

The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research

2022

Conference Publication

Partnering with students to enhance social connection and a sense of belonging following the COVID-19 pandemic

Yang, Tingting, Lynch, Deborah and Rix, Janine (2022). Partnering with students to enhance social connection and a sense of belonging following the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 National Students as Partners Roundtable , Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 22 - 23 November 2022.

Partnering with students to enhance social connection and a sense of belonging following the COVID-19 pandemic

2022

Conference Publication

Ecosocial work concept map: a herb spiral of knowledge

Skinner, Alex and Lynch, Deborah (2022). Ecosocial work concept map: a herb spiral of knowledge. Australian & New Zealand Social Work & Welfare Education & Research (ANZSWWER), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 9 -11 November 2022.

Ecosocial work concept map: a herb spiral of knowledge

2022

Conference Publication

Social work education in ecosocial transition

Lynch, Deborah, Skinner, Alex and Lam, Yik Ling (2022). Social work education in ecosocial transition. Australian & New Zealand Social Work & Welfare Education & Research (ANZSWWER), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 9 - 11 November 2022.

Social work education in ecosocial transition

2022

Conference Publication

Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

Lynch, Deborah, Forde, Catherine and Lathouras, Athena (2022). Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world. Australian & New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research (ANZSWWER), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 9 - 11 November 2022.

Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

2022

Conference Publication

Partnering to co-create a student experience action plan

Lynch, Deborah, Rix, Janine, Lewis, Peter and Humphrey, Tracy (2022). Partnering to co-create a student experience action plan. 2022 Teaching and Learning (T&L) Week The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October - 4 November 2022.

Partnering to co-create a student experience action plan

2022

Conference Publication

Illuminating partnership: partnering to co-create a student experience action plan

Yang, TIngting, Lynch, Deborah and Rix, Janine (2022). Illuminating partnership: partnering to co-create a student experience action plan. Student-Staff Partnership (SSP) Project Showcase , Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 20 October 2022.

Illuminating partnership: partnering to co-create a student experience action plan

2022

Other Outputs

Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

Lynch, Deborah , Forde, Catherine and Lathouras, Athena (2022). Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

2021

Other Outputs

'What am I missing?' Finding connection in an online community development course during COVID-19

Lynch, Deborah and Forde, Catherine (2021). 'What am I missing?' Finding connection in an online community development course during COVID-19. Social Dialogue (25) 05.

'What am I missing?' Finding connection in an online community development course during COVID-19

2021

Journal Article

Community development and social work teaching and learning in a time of global interruption

Lynch, Deborah, Lathouras, Athena and Forde, Catherine (2021). Community development and social work teaching and learning in a time of global interruption. Community Development Journal , 56 (4) bsab028, 566-586. doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsab028

Community development and social work teaching and learning in a time of global interruption

2021

Journal Article

Introduction—community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

Forde, Catherine, Lynch, Deborah and Lathouras, Athena (2021). Introduction—community development in social work education: themes for a changing world. Community Development Journal , 56 (4) bsab027, 561-565. doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsab027

Introduction—community development in social work education: themes for a changing world

2021

Journal Article

Integrating visual thinking strategies in social work education: opportunities for the future?

Lynch, Deborah (2021). Integrating visual thinking strategies in social work education: opportunities for the future?. The British Journal of Social Work, 52 (3), 1643-1661. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcab121

Integrating visual thinking strategies in social work education: opportunities for the future?

2021

Other Outputs

Blog post – “You’re on mute!” New choreographies in virtual teaching and learning sessions

Lynch, Deborah (2021). Blog post – “You’re on mute!” New choreographies in virtual teaching and learning sessions . Online: ITaLI, The University of Queensland.

Blog post – “You’re on mute!” New choreographies in virtual teaching and learning sessions

2020

Journal Article

“I’m not sitting around doing nothing with my life”: The aspirations of school-aged mothers

Howell, Angelique and Lynch, Deborah (2020). “I’m not sitting around doing nothing with my life”: The aspirations of school-aged mothers. International Journal of Educational Research, 103 101646, 101646. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101646

“I’m not sitting around doing nothing with my life”: The aspirations of school-aged mothers

2020

Book Chapter

Community practice and social development in a global world: critical engagement and practical action

Lynch, Deborah (2020). Community practice and social development in a global world: critical engagement and practical action. Community practice and social development in social work. (pp. 363-383) edited by Sarah Todd and Julie Drolet. Singapore: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-6969-8_19

Community practice and social development in a global world: critical engagement and practical action

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Towards a School-Community Based Approach to Addressing Student Absenteeism
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2016 - 2017
    Research on effective strategies for improving school attendance
    Queensland Department of Education and Training
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Decision Making in Multi-Agency Child Protection Systems: An Exploratory Study
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Debby Lynch is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The person of the counsellor in the practice of counselling: exploring therapist traits through Virtue Theory

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A Silent Shame: Exploring the Lived Experience of Adolescent-to-Mother Violence Where There is a History of Intimate Partner and Family Violence

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effectiveness of Primary Prevention Programmes in Changing Citizens Beliefs and Attitudes towards Violence against Women in Ghana

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Family-School-Community Conceptualisation of School Absenteeism

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards, Professor Annemaree Carroll

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Debby Lynch's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au