Heather Boetto

Heather is a lecturer in Social Work and Human Services at Charles Sturt University.  She began work in the field of disability in the 1990's and later practiced in areas of child welfare, school social work, women's health, and private practice.  Heather grew up in rural New South and has maintained an interest in rural social work practice, as well as other areas within a rural context, particularly ecological practice and gender.

Heather began teaching in the Social Work and Human Services discipline at CSU in 2003, initially as a casual lecturer, and since 2008 as a permanent staff member.  Heather has taught in a broad range of subject areas, including social work theory and practice, social policy, child welfare, communications, introductory social welfare and fields of practice.  Heather has a particular interest in assisting students transition developed knowledge (e.g. values and ethics, theory) into articulated strategies and approaches for practice and provides social work students with supervision when undertaking practicum placements as part of their course work.  Heather is also involved in supporting social work students on international study abroad programs to develop knowledge and understanding about the global context of practice issues.

Although Heather has an interest in various research areas, her main focus relates to ecological social work.  Heather commenced her PhD in 2013 to explore how ecological approaches can be incorporated into foundations of social work practice, and has published several articles relating to this topic.  Heather's other areas of interest include gender, internationalisation and rural social work.

• Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Committee member of Lila Kirilik Social Justice Committee
• Advisory Group Member for Relationships Australia, Riverina Branch