Debra Miles
- debra.miles@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5904-2286- Adjunct Professor
- Social Work
Projects
0
Publications
57
Awards
0
Biography
Debra Miles is committed to social justice, inclusion and collaboration and it is these principles that inform and guide her research and teaching foci at James Cook University. Debra has significant professional experience as a social worker in child protection, family violence and the disability sector, and has worked in a range of regional communities across northern Australia including Rockhampton, Townsville and Darwin.
Debra’s research focuses on highlighting issues of disadvantage and discrimination, and finding ways to improve and strengthen the responses to these issues. Bringing a critical feminist lens to research analysis, Debra’s previous projects have included examining the response of feminist organisations to family violence and sexual assault, highlighting the experience of racism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and practitioners, evaluating intensive family support programs and improving the learning experience of students in distance and online education settings.
Committed to enhancing student engagement in intercultural learning and global citizenship Debra has actively developed a range of global mobility opportunities for social work students including international exchange, internships and practicums in India and Thailand. Building on these experiences, Debra's latest research project examined best practice in international student exchange and was funded by the Office of Learning and Teaching from 2015-2017. As project leader, Debra managed a large team of national and international collaborators to develop a set of guiding principles and useful resources to guide educators and others involved in facilitating students international experiences. Informing the development of these resources was the unique and rarely-heard voice of international hosts of students on exchange and a critical, post-colonial framework aimed at maximizing transformative learning.
Debra teaches in the undergraduate and postgraduate social work programs at James Cook University in subjects that reflect her commitment to social justice and inclusive practice. She is also active in a range of organisations which champion social justice issues and respond to disadvantage in the community.
Research
Research Interests
Violence against Women
International Social Work
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and experiences of racism and discrimination
Output
Jones, Peter F; Miles, Debra; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan (2018) Intercultural Learning: Critical Preparation for International Student Travel. Sydney, Australia: [Non-Research Book] [DOI]
Jones, Peter; Miles, Debra; Francis, Abraham; Rajeev, S.P. (2011) Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11. Karnataka, India: [Edited Publication]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra (2009) With Women, For Women: the experiences of women as workers in feminist organisations. Koln, Deutschland: [Non-Research Book]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra Louise (2004) With women, for women: a study of women's experiences as workers in feminist organisations. [Thesis] [DOI]
The impacts of drug and alcohol use on sentencing for First Nations and non-Indigenous defendants
2024
Velazquez, Marisela; Petray, Theresa L.; Miles, Debra (2024) 'The impacts of drug and alcohol use on sentencing for First Nations and non-Indigenous defendants'. Race and Justice, 14 (2):124-145. [DOI]
King, Julie; Miles, Deb; Jones, Peter; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Watling, Hannah (2023) 'Hosting Australian social work students on exchange: the search for equity and mutual benefit between the Global South and North'. Australian Social Work, 76 (4):493-506. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Butcher, Luke; Day, Andrew; Miles, Debra; Kidd, Garry; Stanton, Steve (2022) 'Developing youth justice policy and programme design in Australia'. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 81 (2):367-382. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Salter, Peta; Halbert, Kelsey; Howard, Elise; Bhati, Abhishek; Wong, Caroline; Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter (2021) 'A continuum for global citizenship: analyzing the complex transformations of service-learning'. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 22 (2):199-211.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Michling, Malgorzata D.; Zuchowski, Ines; Miles, Debra; Surzykiewicz, Janusz (2021) 'Notunterkünfte in Australien Ersterhebung zur Qualifikation der Mitarbeitenden [Homelessness shelters in Australia: initial explorations of the qualifications of employees]'. Soziale Arbeit, 7.2021 :266-273.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Butcher, Luke; Day, Andrew; Kidd, Garry; Miles, Debra; Stanton, Steven (2020) 'Community engagement in youth justice program design'. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 53 (3):369-386. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Zuchowski, Ines; Miles, Debra; Gair, Susan; Tsey, Komla (2019) 'Social work research with industry: a systematic literature review of engagement and impact'. British Journal of Social Work, 49 :2299-2324. [DOI]
Zuchowski, Ines; Miles, Debra; Howard, Elise; Harris, Nonie; Francis, Abraham (2019) 'Sustaining quality learning abroad opportunities in Australian schools of social work'. International Social Work, 62 (2):980-993. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Zuchowski, Ines; Miles, Debra; Woods, Cindy; Tsey, Komla (2019) 'Continuous quality improvement processes in child protection: a systematic literature review'. Research On Social Work Practice, 29 (4):389-400. [DOI]
Miles, Debra; Harris, Nonie; Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya, Piyachat (2019) 'Stepping forward to learn: Thai students reflect on hosting Australian international exchange students'. Journal of Studies in International Education, 23 (2):217-233. [DOI]
Butcher, Luke; Day, Andrew; Miles, Debra; Kidd, Garry (2019) 'A comparative analysis of the risk profiles of Australian young offenders from rural and urban communities'. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 63 (4):2483-2500. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Mensinga, Jo; Zuchowski, Ines (2018) 'Harnessing opportunities to enhance the distance learning experience of MSW students: an appreciative inquiry process'. Social Work Education, 37 (6):705-717. [DOI]
Jones, Peter; Rowe, Simone; Miles, Debra (2018) 'Beyond practical preparation: a critical approach to preparing social work students for international experiences'. International Social Work, 61 (6):1083-1094. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Khan, Abul K.; Miles, Debra; Francis, Abraham (2018) 'Re-visioning child protection management embedded in family empowerment'. Children Australia, 43 (3):208-216. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Jones, Peter F.; Miles, Debra (2017) 'Transformative learning in international student exchange: a critical perspective'. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 19 (2):47-60.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Harris, Nonie; Miles, Debra; Howard, Elise; Zuchowski, Ines; King, Julie; Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya, Piyachat; Jones, Peter; Francis, Abraham; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Puthantharayil, George (2017) 'International student exchange in Australian social work education'. Australian Social Work, 70 (4):429-440. [DOI]
Nickson, Amanda; Gair, Susan; Miles, Debra (2016) 'Supporting isolated workers in their work with families in rural and remote Australia: exploring peer group supervision'. Children Australia, 41 (4):265-274. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Gair, Susan; Miles, Debra; Savage, Dorothy; Zuchowski, Ines (2015) 'Racism unmasked: the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in social work field placements'. Australian Social Work, 68 (1):32-48. [DOI]
Babatsikos, Georgia; Miles, Debra (2015) 'How parents manage the risk of child sexual abuse: a grounded theory'. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 24 (1):55-76. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Zuchowski, Ines; Savage, Dorothy; Miles, Debra; Gair, Susan (2013) 'Decolonising field education: challenging Australian social work praxis'. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 15 (1):47-62.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Jones, Peter ; Miles, Debra; Francis, Abraham; Rajeev, S.P. (2012) 'Working towards eco-social justice: reflections on an international, cross-institutional social work collaboration'. Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2 (6):146-158.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra (2011) 'Relationships, power and emotion in feminist organisations'. Outskirts: feminisms along the edge, 24 :1-12.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra (2005) 'Feminist activism in Northern Territory women’s services'. Women Against Violence: an Australian feminist journal, 17 :33-40.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Reconciling indigenous and non-indigenous knowledges in social work education: action and legitimacy
2005
Gair, Susan; Miles, Debra; Thomson, Jane (2005) 'Reconciling indigenous and non-indigenous knowledges in social work education: action and legitimacy'. Journal of Social Work Education, 41 (2):179-190. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Gair, Susan; Thomson, Jane; Miles, Debra; Harris, Nonie (2003) 'It's very 'white' isn't it!: challenging monoculturalism in social work and welfare education'. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 5 (1):37-52.
Gair, Susan; Thomson, Jane; Miles, Debra; Harris, Nonie (2003) 'It’s very white isn’t it! Challenging mono-culturalism in social work and welfare education'. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education, 5 (1):37-55.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Francis, Abraham; Harris, Nonie; Howard, Elise; Jones, Peter; King, Julie; Zuchowski, Ines; Dhephasadin, Piyachat; Puthantharayil, George (2016) 'Student exchange: preparing graduates for social work practice in globalised environments' Social Dialogue, 14 :42-42.
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Francis, Abraham; Harris, Nonie; Howard, Elise; King, Julie; Zuchowski, Ines; Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya, Piyachat; Puthantharayil, George (2016) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) . In: Davis, Melissa;Goody, Allan eds. Contested concepts of 'partnership' in international student exchange programs Freemantle, WA, Australia,
Conference Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Baker, Joanne; Miles, Debra; Thorpe, Ros (2006) CROCCS International Conference: Working Together for Families Parents with complicated lives: do child protection services help or hinder? Mackay, QLD, Australia,
Conference Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Jones, P.; Miles, D. (2018) Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development 2018: environmental and community sustainability; human solutions in an evolving society Relationship-building and reciprocity as foundations for sustainability in international student mobility Dublin, Ireland, .
Jones, Peter; Miles, Debra; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan (2017) AIEC 2017: Australian International Education Conference: embracing diversity Developing a critical approach to student preparation for international mobility experiences: moving beyond the practical Hobart, TAS, Australia, .
Miles, Debra; Harris, Nonie; Jones, Peter (2016) SWSD 2016: Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development Going places: international social work student exchange: facilitating good practice, reciprocity, and mutual benefit Seoul, Korea, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Mensinga, Jo; Miles, Deb; Zuchowski, Ines (2016) HERSDA 2016: 39th Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual International Conference: the shape of higher education Engaging Masters of Social Work students: applying blended learning approaches coherently and consistently Freemantle, WA, Australia, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter F. (2016) Local Global Learning Singapore Symposium International student exchange in social work: developing student perspectives about global citizenship
Singapore, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
International social work student exchange: facilitating good practice in Australia and Asia Pacific
2015
Zuchowski, Ines; Dhephasadin, Piayachat; Francis, Abraham; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Harris, Nonie; Howard, Elise; Jones, Peter; King, Julie; Miles, Debra; Puthantharayil, George (2015) International Conference on Discovery and Innovation in Social Work Practicum Education International social work student exchange: facilitating good practice in Australia and Asia Pacific
Hong Kong, China, .
Zuchowski, Ines; Gopalkrishnan, Narayan; Dhephasadin, Piayachat; Francis, Abraham; Harris, Nonie; Howard, Elise; Jones, Peter; King, Julie; Miles, Debra; Puthantharayil, Fr. George (2015) ANZSWWER 2015: Australian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research Symposium Collaboration and reciprocity in international social work student exchange: a critical review Melbourne, VIC, Australia, .
Miles, Debra; Zuchowski, Ines; Savage, Dorothy; Gair, Susan (2014) Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development 2014: promoting social and economic equality Strengthening the cultural wellbeing of indigenous social work students: confronting racism and promoting cultural safety and respect Melbourne, VIC, Australia, .
Miles, Debra; Na Ayudhaya , Piyachat Dhephasadin; Harris, Nonie (2014) Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development 2014: promoting social and economic equality 'Mutual benefit' in international student exchange: possibilities and challenges Melbourne, VIC, Australia, .
Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter (2013) De Novo '13 International Conference: international social work: crossing borders, building bridges Moving beyond defining: an overview and reflection on issues in international social work Cochin, Kerala, India, .
Miles, Debra (2012) Gender Work and Organisation Conference: 7th International Interdisciplinary Conference Creating space for women-only places Keele University, Keele, UK, .
Harris, N.; Miles, D.; Chang, N.; Jones, P.; Francis, A.; Zuchowski, I. (2012) Social Work: Towards Inclusion, Social Justice and Human Rights (ASSWA 2012 International Conference) Exploring the benefits of international practice-based education experiences in social work and human services education White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa, .
Miles, Debra; Chang, Nigel; Jones, Peter; Francis, Abraham; Zuchowski, Ines; Harris, Nonie (2011) 2011 Practice Based Education Summit Creating partnerships and integrating cross cultural experiences into social work education Bathurst, NSW, Australia, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Mason, Robyn (2011) 2011 AASW North Queensland and Queensland Biennial Conference Whatever happened to the 'F' word? Challenges for women specific services Townsville, .
Miles, Debra; Chang, Nigel; Jones, Peter; Francis, Abraham; Zuchowski, Ines; Harris, Nonie (2011) 2011 Practice-Based Education Summit Integrating international work-integrated-learning experiences into social work and human service education Bathurst, NSW, Australia, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Milosevic, Angela; Thorpe, Ros ; Miles, Debra (2009) Fourth National Conference for the Australian College for Child and Family Protection Practitioners For good or ill, this is my family! What counts for quality in the role for statutory relative foster carers? Brisbane, QLD, Australia, .
Conference Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Salter, Peta; Halbert, Kelsey; Howard, Elise; Singh, Michael; Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter; Bhati, Abhishek; Wong, Caroline; Han, Jinghe (2018) 'Local connections, global perspectives' In: Salter, Peta, Halbert, Kelsey, Howard, Elise, Singh, Michael, Miles, Debra, Jones, Peter, Bhati, Abhishek, Wong, Caroline, and Han, Jinghe (2018) Local connections, global perspectives. In: Hall, Timothy, Gray, Tonia, Downey, Greg, and Singh, Michael, (eds.) The Globalisation of Higher Education: developing internationalised education in research and practice. Palgrave Macmillan, Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 61-78(Eds.). The Globalisation of Higher Education: developing internationalised education in research and practice. Sydney, NSW, Australia : Palgrave Macmillan. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Record keeping
2018
Miles, Deb; Day, Andrew (2018) 'Record keeping' In: Miles, Deb, and Day, Andrew (2018) Record keeping. In: Rice, Simon, Day, Andrew, and Briskman, Linda, (eds.) Social Work in the Shadow of the Law - 5th edition. Federation Press, Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 440-455(Eds.). Social Work in the Shadow of the Law - 5th edition. Sydney, NSW, Australia : Federation Press.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Miles, Debra; Jones, Peter (2016) 'International social work student exchange' In: Miles, Debra, and Jones, Peter (2016) International social work student exchange. In: Halbert, Kelsey, Salter, Peta, Singh, Michael, and Howard, Elise, (eds.) Local Global Citizenship in Higher Education: a framework and case studies for curriculum development. James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia, pp. 39-49(Eds.). Local Global Citizenship in Higher Education: a framework and case studies for curriculum development. Townsville, QLD, Australia : James Cook University.
Reaching out to the region: developing a blended pedagogy for social work education at a distance
2012
Jones, Peter; Miles, Debra (2012) 'Reaching out to the region: developing a blended pedagogy for social work education at a distance' In: Jones, Peter, and Miles, Debra (2012) Reaching out to the region: developing a blended pedagogy for social work education at a distance. In: Peterson, J., Lee, O., Islam, T., and Piscioneri, M., (eds.) Effectively Implementing Information Communication Technology in Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Region. Nova Science Publishers, New York, NY, USA, pp. 247-263(Eds.). Effectively Implementing Information Communication Technology in Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Region. New York, NY, USA : Nova Science Publishers.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Khan, Abul; Miles, Debra (2011) 'Talk to me, not my illness: relevance of human rights and social justice in child and adolescent mental health intervention' In: Khan, Abul, and Miles, Debra (2011) Talk to me, not my illness: relevance of human rights and social justice in child and adolescent mental health intervention. In: Jones, Peter, Miles, Debra, Francis, Abraham, and Rajeev, S.P., (eds.) Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11. Books for Change, Karnataka, India, pp. 307-326(Eds.). Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11. Karnataka, India : Books for Change.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Crawford, Catherine; Miles, Debra; Plumb, Diane (2011) 'Women-only space facilitating empowerment' In: Crawford, Catherine, Miles, Debra, and Plumb, Diane (2011) Women-only space facilitating empowerment. In: Jones, Peter, Miles, Debra, Francis, Abraham, and Rajeev, S.P., (eds.) Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11. Books for Change, Karnataka, India, pp. 110-125(Eds.). Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11. Karnataka, India : Books for Change.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Baker, Joanne; Miles, Debra; Thorpe, Ros (2008) 'Parents with complicated lives: do Child protection Services help or hinder?' In: Baker, Joanne, Miles, Debra, and Thorpe, Ros (2008) Parents with complicated lives: do Child protection Services help or hinder? In: Pillai, Michael Vimal, (ed.) Child Protection: challenges and initiatives. Icfai University Press, Hyderabad, India, pp. 170-176(Eds.). Child Protection: challenges and initiatives. Hyderabad, India : Icfai University Press.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Lynn, Robyn; Thorpe, Rosamund; Miles, Debra; Cutts, Christine; Butcher, Anne; Ford, Linda (1998) Murri Way! Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders reconstruct social welfare practice. Townsville, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Research, James Cook University.