Dorothee Hölscher

Dorothee’s research generates impact through collaborative approaches to analysing contemporary dynamics of social exclusion and inclusion and to advancing ethically accountable practice in contexts of (forced) migration and social work education. Working closely with young people, community organisations, educators, and practitioners, her research aims to contribute contextually relevant knowledge to build reflexive practice, ethical judgement, and capacity to respond to shared social justice concerns within community, institutional, and educational settings. The impact of this work is traceable through almost two decades of participatory research in Australia and southern Africa.

Through her collaboration with community-based organisations and youth initiatives, Dorothee co-creates shared understandings of contemporary forms and dynamics of social exclusion, and of the well-being needs of young people from racialised and marginalised communities, to generate outcomes valued by participants, including strengthened research skills, increased confidence, and opportunities for leadership and authorship. Her work on Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) extends this impact beyond individual projects by contributing accessible methodological resources for researchers, practitioners, and postgraduate students internationally, and her contributions to international debates on anti‑oppressive theory, ethics, and practice continue to inform teaching and curriculum designs that foster sustained student participation in higher education.

Rather than treating research impact as a downstream outcome, her work embeds translation and application within the research process itself to ensure that both practice and outcomes remain responsive to community priorities and oriented towards meaningful, practical and structural change.