Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work

Undertake a PhD in Social Work at Flinders

Be the change for better communities

Our PHD students are studying social issues and systems affecting children, families and community and working with industry to drive responsible policy and practice change.

Domestic

I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Master of Arts (Social Work) - Exit Only

Duration: 2 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106277AF

Annual fees:
2024: $36,300

Further information on fees listed

Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work)

Duration: 4 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106263G

Annual fees:
2024: $36,300

Further information on fees listed

Research supervisors

How to apply

Enquire

Why undertake a PhD in Social Work at Flinders

Tackle the big issues and question the status quo.
Research change in our ever-evolving world.
Make meaningful connections between human condition, policy and social work practice.
Study with our social work champions to make the world a better place.

Discover more about research at the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Your career

Our PhD graduates go on to secure positions in a variety of settings within a framework of relevant legislation and procedures, supporting individuals, families, and groups within the community.

Potential occupations include:·

Change agent
Consultant or advocate
Policy and program specialist
Organisational leader
Researcher

Potential employers include:·

Humanitarian NGOs
Philanthropic foundations
Public sector
Universities
Welfare organisations

Potential research supervisors

Hear from Dr Helen McLaren about PhD opportunities in Social Work, as well as her own research interests.

Hear from Dr Michelle Jones , Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Flinders University

Hear from Dr Ben Lohmeyer about potential research opportunities for PhD students

Professor Damien Riggs	Foster care, lesbian and gay parenting, transgender people
Professor Sarah Wendt	Violence against women and children
Associate Professor Helen McLaren	Women & children’s protection, foster & kinship care, multicultural wellbeing, lived experience
Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan	Disability, social inclusion, worker’s rights
Associate Professor Lana Zannettino	Domestic and family violence
Dr Alhassan Abdullah	Child abuse and neglect, child protection, family violence, foster & kinship care, polyvictimisation
Dr Carmela Bastian	Child and family wellbeing, social work practice
Dr Yunong Huang	Social gerontology, mental health, trauma and recovery
Dr Ben Lohmeyer	Youth sociology, sociology of violence, youth policy, youth work practice, school bullying, social policy, youth inequality, youth studies, youth violence, evaluation and intervention
Dr Kate Seymour	Masculinities, gender and violence

The Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing is a multi-disciplinary research institute with a focus on research and discovery related to brain and mind and their relationship to the body.

Find out more

Open Door is an Australasian multi-disciplinary research hub that exists to disseminate research information to academics, practitioners and veterans interested in the research policy and service provision for veterans and first responders.

Find out more

Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS)

Research in life, not in the lab.

Social Work Innovation Research Living Space is developing a formidable reputation for producing theoretically driven research to examine social issues and social work practice. The evidence produced – when put into action – will help social workers and others to work more effectively with our communities.

Find out more