Ann Carrington

Dr Ann Carrington is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and teaches in a range of social work theory, research and practice subjects. As a critical feminist social work academic, her work in Learning and Teaching, Research and Scholarship and Service and Engagement are all informed by a gendered analysis, principles of inclusion, social justice and human rights with a focus on creating social change.

Ann is student focused in her teaching and curriculum design. Guided by principles of inclusion and empowerment through education, Ann has a strong focus on online and blended learning methods, authentic skills development and assessment, and enhanced capstone experiences connected to employability.

In collaboration with JCU Dentistry and Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service, Ann has co-designed the scaffolded Domestic Violence – Recognise, Respond, Refer curriculum which equips dental students with the knowledge and skills to make a significant contribution to communities by addressing this priority issue in our region and nationally.

Through her research Ann aims to make a difference to individuals and society, to create brighter futures for the vulnerable and marginalised in the tropics. She hopes to create social change and make a difference through research in the areas of domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault, inclusive pedagogy, work to understand and reduce the impacts of trauma, and promote the inclusion of spirituality in social work.

In the field Ann worked as a practitioner, resulting in the development of the ‘Vortex of Violence’ (2014). Ann has continued to research and write in this area, looking at the influence of neo-liberalism on feminist practice, the impact of discourse and construction of DV on integrated responses, explored issues of men’s accountability and training dentists to recognise and respond to patients that have experienced DV. She is currently working with Queensland Police, Cairns, to evaluate an initiative to address and prevent youth sexual violence in the region.

Ann’s social justice principles led to an interest in inclusive pedagogy through blended learning methods that has proved successful with students. Further, Ann’s focus has now shifted to working with students to develop online professional interpersonal skills with guidance from AASW ethical guidelines in this area.

Ann’s work with those who have experienced DV and sexual assault resulted in the development of proficiency in working with trauma from a range of theoretical and therapeutic perspectives. She led an evaluation project for Mission Australia, evaluating an emerging program utilising her expertise in qualitative methodologies, trauma informed practice and other therapeutic practice approaches.

Spirituality has been a staple in Ann’s research agenda. Recently there has been a shift in this area from the theoretical to the practical. In future, Ann is keen to explore how spirituality can inform work in relation to understanding and responding to trauma, DV and sexual assault.