After graduating from Mid Sweden University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work I worked for 8 years at the National Institute for Working Life in Sweden conducting work in the fields of health promotion, organizational and professional development. During my time at the National Institute for Working Life, I also got my position as PhD candidate, enrolled at Curtin University. In 2005 I joined the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University as Project Coordinator for the Kalgoorlie Alcohol Action Project, a project aimed at changing attitudes and behaviour associated with excessive alcohol use. During my time in Kalgoorlie, I also had the benefit of being invited by the mining industry to conduct a comprehensive mapping of workplace health and provide a recommendation on evidence-based interventions. Our Kalgoorlie team was also invited by the Aboriginal community in Norseman to evaluate the effectiveness of the Norseman Voluntary Liquor Agreement. Since 2010 I have been working at Charles Sturt University as a lecturer, researcher and, course director.

My research interests include:

• Healthy and Sustainable Working Life
• How to teach mental health in higher education
• Kindness pedagogy - its use in higher education and academic performance
• Climate Change, Human Rights and Mental Health
• Mindfulness, Yoga and Mental Health
• E-Mental Health
• Complex Mental Health Conditions and Service Provision
• Rural Health

Current Research Projects

• 2023 - Evidence for Yoga as an Intervention to Improve Indigenous Peoples Mental Health. Fredrik Velander (School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University), Andreia Schineanu (School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University) and Juliane Allan (Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University). SDG: 3
• 2023 - Yoga for Mental Health in Refugees. Fredrik Velander (School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University), Andreia Schineanu (School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University) and Juliane Allan (Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University). SDG: 3
• 2022 - Co-operative Inquiry on International Perspectives on Teaching Mental Health Social Work. Fredrik Velander (Charles Sturt University), Brenda Morris, Emily Deacon (Carlton University, Canada), Melissa Petrakis, Caroline Walters (Monash University), Louise Whitaker (Southern Cross University), Robyn Fitzroy (University of Sydney). SDG: 4
• 2022 - 2025 The Pedagogy of Kindness - the role of kindness in higher education. Fredrik Velander, Katrina Gersbach (School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University, and Peta Jeffries (School of Indigenous Studies, Charles Sturt University). SDG: 8
• 2022 - Climate Change and Mental Health. Fredrik Velander, Merrilyn Chricton & Ndungi Mungai (School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University). SDG: 3

Throughout my time at CSU I have taught a range of subjects including Cross-Cultural Competencies, Social Work Theory and Practice 1, 3 & 4. Most recently I have been teaching the following subjects at post-graduate level:

• WEL425 - Addiction - Clinical Practice in Human Services
• HCS409 - Social Welfare in Human Services
• HCS510 - Social Work Practice in Mental Health
• HCS523 - Leadership in Human Services Practice
• HCS531 - Leading Service Development in Human Service Organisations
• SWK703 - Social Work Literature Review

At undergraduate level I have been teaching the following subjects:

• HSC216 Suicide Prevention
• HSC312 Sexual Assault, Family Violence and Associated Trauma
• HCS200 Social Work Theory and Practice 1
• HCS310 Mental Health Practice
• HCS300 - Social Work Theory and Practice 3 - Mezzo practice
• HCS400 - Social Work Theory and Practice 4 - Macro practice and professional identity
• WEL218 Developing Cross Cultural Competencies
• WEL231 - Holistic Eco-Social Approaches in Mental Health

I am highly passionate about subject writing and teaching, both in the online environment and face-to-face, and I enjoy the challenge of keeping subjects at the forefront of empirical knowledge. 

Higher Degree by Research Supervision
I also supervise students doing research and I currently have students doing research at the following levels or degrees:

• PhD/Professional Doctorate
  
• Master degrees 
• Honours degrees

Supervision is also an important component of my own professional development as entering into a supervision relationship with students encourages me to expand my own horizons. 

• Schineanu, A., Velander, F. & Allan, J. (2025). Bridging traditions: a mixed methods systematic review of yoga for trauma-recovery in Indigenous people. Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (In Press). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): 3
• Short, M., Gersbach, K., Rush, E., Velander, F., Clatsworthy, D., Xie, G. & Redshaw, S. (2025). Using a kindness approach for defining key terms: a student-led, strength-focused and active-learning onlline activity. In M. Jarldom & C. Hudson (Eds.). Tutorial ideas for educators on the run. pp.149-158. Springer Nature. . https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-4349-3
  SDG: 4
  
• Morris, B., Petrakis, M., Lue, J., Velander, F., Rocca, A., Clark, C., Deakon, E., Smith, F. & Whitaker, L. (2025). Transformative mental health social work practice: When, where, how and with whom do we learn? Research on Social Work Practice, (Submitted 21 January 2025). FOR Code: 440999 (100%) SDG: 4
• Whitaker, L., Smith, F., Velander, F., Petrakis, M., Deacon, E., Simboli, T., Clark, C., Lue, J., Rocca, A. & Morris, B. (2024). Mental health social work practice: navigating the tensions. British Journal of Social Work. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcae051 FOR Code:440999 (100%). SDG: 16 
• Osburn, L., Short, M., Gersbach, K., Velander, F., Mungai, N., Moorhead, B., Mlcek, S., Dobud, W., Duncombe, R., Kalache, L., Gerstenberg, L., Lomas, G., Wulff, E., Ninnis, J., Faciani, K. & Pawar, M. (2021). Teaching social work skills-based-learning online during and post COVID-19. Social Work Education.  DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2021.2013795  FOR Code: 4409 SDG: 4
• Morris, B.L., Short, M., Bridges, D., Crichton, M., Velander, F., Rush, E., Iffland, B. & Duncombe, R. (2021). Responding to student mental health with integrity during and post COVID-19. Social Work Education. DOI:10.1080/02615479.2021.196227  FOR Code: 4409 SDG: 4
• Velander, F., Schineanu, A. & Bowles, W. (2019). Partners in Recovery Capacity Building Fund - Solutions for Complex Mental Health Problems. Report comissioned by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, NSW Government. SDG: 3
• Velander, F. (2018). Wellbeing and social work - is it possible? In M. Pawar, W. Bowles & K. Bell (Eds.). Social Work - Innovations and insights. Chapter 14, pp. 200-216. Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing. SDG: 3 
• Crowther, A, Kornhaber, R., Velander, F., Drummond, S. & Cleary, M. (2017). Exploring the motivation for body piercing: a pilot study. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(8): 682-683. SDG: 3
• Schineanu, A. & Velander, F. (2016). Vulnerabilities and Abuse. In Bernoth, M. & Winkler, D. (Eds.). Healthy Ageing & Aged Care. Oxford University Press. pp. 160-179. Textbook awarded the Best Tertiary Student Resource in Australia 2017. SDG: 3
• Velander, F. & Schineanu, A., (2014), Culturally Secure Community Development. In Goel, K., Pulla, V. & Francis, A. (Eds.), Community work: Theories, experiences and challenges. Niruta Publications, Bangalore, India. ISBN 978-81-923326-7-3. SDG: 11
• Cercarelli, R., Allsop, S., Evans, M., and Velander, F., (2012), Reducing alcohol-related harm. An evidence review – summary report. Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Carlton, Victoria, Australia. ISBN: 978-1-921822-32-2. SDG: 3
• Cercarelli, R., Allsop, S., Evans, M., and Velander, F., (2011), Reducing alcohol-related harm. An evidence review – full report. Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Carlton, Victoria, Australia. ISBN: 978-1-921822-25-4. SDG: 3
• Velander, F., Schineanu, A., Liang W. and Midford, R. (2010) Digging for gold and coming up blue: a health survey in the mining industry, Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 26(5): pp389-401. SDG: 3
• Velander, F., Schineanu, A. and Midford, R. (2010) Attitudes and knowledge of alcohol related harm minimisation initiatives in a rural Australian city: a baseline survey; Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 17(4):pp354-369. SDG: 3
• Schineanu, A., Velander, F., and Saggers, S. (2010) “Don’t wake up angry no more” – The evaluation of the Norseman Voluntary Liquor Agreement, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9807054-1-6. SDG: 3
• Velander, F., Schineanu, A. and Saggers, S. (2010) Kalgoorlie Alcohol Action Project: 2006-2009 Evaluation; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia. SDG: 11
• Velander, F., (2008) Prevention of alcohol-related harm in the workplace – an exploratory study investigating the obstacles and facilitators of good practice. Thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Curtin University of Technology. SDG: 8
• Schineanu, A., Velander F. and Midford, R. (2007) Kalgoorlie Alcohol Action Project Baseline Report; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia. SDG: 11
• Midford R., Velander, F. & Allsop, S., (2005) Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace, in Preventing Harmful Substance Use: The Evidence Base for Policy and Practice. John Wiley & Sons. SDG: 8
• Velander, F (1999) A trainee program – a tool for working life development, Experiences from the first phase of a trainee program at the National Institute for Working Life, Östersund, Sweden. Arbetslivsrapport 1999:6. SDG: 8
• Velander, F and Stavhag A, (1999) Collaborative project Falcon – an evaluation, National Institute for Working Life, Östersund, Sweden. SDG: 3

Conference Papers  

• When, Where and by Whom? - educating for transformative mental health social work practice. Fredrik Velander, Louise Whitaker, Brenda Morris, Melissa Petrakis, Amanda Rocca, Cynthia Clark, Julian Lue, Emily Deacon, Fiona Smith. 10^th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health, 19-22 November 2024, Melbourne, Australia. FOR Code: 440999 (100%)
  
  
• Climate change and mental health in rural Australia. Ndungi Mungai, Fredrik Velander, Merrilyn Crichton, Andre Van Eymeren. 10^th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health, 19-22 November 2024, Melbourne, Australia. FOR Code(s): 440999 (50%), 441011
  
  
• Engaging diverse voices to scaffold education for transformative metnal health social work practice. Brenda Morris, Cynthia Clark, Emily Deacon, Julian Lue, Melissa Petrakis, Amanda Rocco, Tim Simboli, Fiona Smith, Fredrik Velander, Louise Whitaker. 6th International Practice Research Conference, 7-9 June, 2023, Aalborg, Denmark. FOR Code: 440999 (100%) SDG: 4
  
  
• Engaging diverse voices to scaffold education for transformative metnal health social work practice. Brenda Morris, Cynthia Clark, Emily Deacon, Julian Lue, Melissa Petrakis, Amanda Rocco, Tim Simboli, Fiona Smith, Fredrik Velander, Louise Whitaker. 2023 European Conference on Social Work Education, Porto, Portugal. FOR Code: 440999 (100%) SDG: 4
  
  
• What role does kindness play in education? Katrina Gersbach, Fredrik Velander, Peta Jeffries, Emma Pascoe & Monica Short. CSU EdX2021. FOR Code: 440999 (70%), 450201 (30%). SDG: 4
  
  
• Justice and Peace: the Relationship Between Activism and Social Work Education. Dr Ndungi Mungai, Dr Fredrik Velander, Monica Short, Dr Will Dobud, Associate Professor Susan Mlcek, Dr Lynelle Osburn for the ZilS Cooperative Inquiry Research Group. ANZSWWER Symposium 2020 - Social Work in a Climate of Action. Virtual Symposium. FOR Code: 440999 (100%) SDG: 4
  
  
• Zooming into Online Learning: Digital Technologies for Skills-Based Learning in Social Work.  Dr Bernadette Moorhead, Dr Lynelle Osburn & Dr Fredrik Velander for the ZilS Cooperative Inquirey Research Group. ANZSWWER Symposium 2020 - Social Work in a Climate of Action. Virtual Symposium. FOR Code: 440999 (100%). SDG: 4
  
  
• Mitigating the effects of climate change: connection to land and mental health. Dr Fredrik Velander & Dr Merrily Crichton. 21st biennial international conference of international consortium for social development 2019. Department of Social Development and Welfare. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. SDG: 3
  
  
• Human rights and the cultivation of user-driven mental health prevention and treatment services in rural and regional Australia. Dr Merrilyn Crichton & Dr Fredrik Velander. 21st Biannual internaitonal conference of international consortium for social development 2019. Department of Social Development and Welfare. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Univeritas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. SDG: 3

• Human Services at a Water Shed. Dr Fredrik Velander & Dr Cate Thomas. ANZSWWER Symposium 2017 – Challenging Dominant Discourses. 7-8 September 2017. The University of Auckland, Epsom Campus, New Zealand. SDG: 5

• The eco-social approach to social work curricula – a live example. Dr Cate Thomas & Dr Fredrik Velander. ANZSWWER Symposium 2017 – Challenging Dominant Discourses. 7-8 September 2017. The University of Auckland, Epsom Campus, New Zealand. SDG: 4

• Mental wellbeing and (social) work – is it possible? Social Work Education and Practice: Insights and Innovations. 25 Years of Social Work Education at CSU Colloquium. 2 – 3 November 2016. Charles Sturt University Convention Centre. SDG: 8

• Body piercing as reclamation of self following abuse. The 3^rd Biennial Australian Capital Region Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre Conference. 16 & 17 October 2014, Hyatt Hotel Canberra. SDG: 3

• A profession in crisis? Gender and motivation in social work. 2012 Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social Development: Action and Impact. 9 July 2012, Stockholm, Sweden. SDG: 8

• Digging deep and coming up blue – results from a comprehensive health screening in a mining company. Rural & Remote Mental Health Conference, 11-13 November 2009, Kalgoorlie, WA. SDG: 3

• The Use of Social Marketing to Change Attitudes to Alcohol. The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference (APSAD) November 2008, Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney. SDG: 3

• Prevention of alcohol-related harm in the workplace – an exploratory study investigating the obstacles to and facilitators of best practice. Centre for International Health Doctoral Forum 2008, 3^rd July 2008, Perth, WA. SDG: 8

• Working Together for Success. 2008 Drug and Alcohol Office Annual Workshop, 12 March 2008, Perth. SDG: 8

• Kalgoorlie Alcohol Action Project – preventing alcohol-related harm in an outback community of Western Australia. 18^th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm. 13-17 May 2007, Warsaw, Poland. SDG: 3

• Current Alcohol Trends in the Region – results of a baseline study. Local Drug Action Groups Inc., Goldfields Regional Forum. 22-23 June 2007, Kalgoorlie. SDG: 3

• Investigating a Community’s Readiness for Changing the Way it Deals with Alcohol. Free public seminar at the National Drug Research Institute, Thursday 19^th June, 2007. SDG: 11

• Investigating a Community’s Readiness for Change the Way it Deals with Alcohol: Findings from the West Australian Community of Kalgoorlie. The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference (APSAD) 2006. Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns Queensland, Sunday 5 – Wednesday 8 November 2006. SDG: 11

   

Current Professional memberships

• ZilS Cooperative Enquiry Research Group - Faculty of Arts and Education - Charles Sturt University.
• Interdisciplinary Curriculum and Pedagogy Research Group - Charles Sturt University
• Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Research Group - Factulty of Arts and Education - Charles Sturt University.
• Social Equality, Intersectionality and Inclusion Research Group - Faculty of Arts and Education - Charles Sturt University
• Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. 

Reviewer committments

• Reviewer for the MDPI Healthcare Editorial Office
• Reviewer for the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science
• 2025 - Journal Article - Cognitive behavioral techniques in tranformational leadership: Practical applications using nursing case scenarios. Nursing Report. (ISSN2039-4403). Q2
• 2024 - Journal Article - Alcohol and other drug learning and career information in Australian social work education. Australian Social Work. (ISSN 0312-407X). Q2
• 2024 - Journal Article - Live your life under leaders with calling: the serial mediation role of transformational leadership and self-concordance at work in the relationship between leaders' presence of a calling and followers' living a calling. Behavioural Sciences. (ISSN 276-328X). Q2
• 2023 - Journal Article - Presenteeism, job satisfaction, and psychological distress among Portugese workers in a private solidarity insitution during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Administrative Sciences. Special Issue: Wellbeing and Healthy Work Relationships: From Theoretical Perspectives to Interventions. (ISSN 2076-3387). Q2
• 2023 - Journal Article - Interventions for reducing burnout in health professionals towards global citizenship: a systematic review. Aministrative Sciences (ISSN 2076-3387). Q2
• 2023 - Journal Article - The struggle for work-life balance among working women from the vulnerable sector during COVID-19.  International Journal of Social Welfare (ISSN 1468-2397). Q1
• 2022 - Journal Article - Attitudes toward occupational safety and health measures for infection control among office vs. assembly line employees during COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a repeated employee survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). Q2
• 2022 - Journal Article - The effects of scenario-based spiritual care course on spiritual care competence among clinical nurses: a quasi-experimental study. Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). Q2
• 2022 - Journal Article - Quality of health care and interdisciplinary collaboration from the perspective of employees and patients. Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). Q2
• 2022 - Journal Article - Exploring the direct and indirect influence of perceived organisational support on affective organisational committment. Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). Q2
• 2022 - Journal Article - Perceived work ability during forced working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic among Finnish higher education staff. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). Q2
• 2021 - Journal Article - Influence of demographic factors on work-related stress experienced by European emergency medical service personnel during the Covid-19 pandemic - international study. Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). Q2
• 2021 - Journal Article - A holistic approach of personality traits in medical students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). Q2
• 2021 - Journal Article - The effectiveness and sefety of mind-body modalities for mental health of nurses in hospital setting: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). Q2
• 2020 - Journal Article - The Swedish strategy to COVID-19 pandemic: impact on vulnerable and marginalised communities. The International Journal of Community and Social Development (ISSN 2516-6026) . 

Current Committee memberships

• 2024 - currrent. Indigenous Board of Studies, Charles Sturt University.
   
• 2021 - current. School Assessment Committee - School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University.