RESEARCH & IMPACT
Practice-based research, global perspectives and scholarship that strengthens social work.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION HUB
IHM has established a sustainable and growing research culture, underpinned by its Research and Innovation Hub and Research and Scholarship Committee, under the leadership of Dr Balasankar Ganesan.
Academic leadership of the BSW is provided by Professor Abraham Francis, Head of School, Social Work, with over 30 years of experience in social work education, practice, research and international collaboration.
PUBLICATIONS
Our academics work across gender-based violence, men and masculinities, workplace safety, multiculturalism, disability, mental health, digital healthcare, social policy and social development.
My, S., Porter, J. E., Soldatenko, D., Miller, E. M., & Abdelkader, A. (2026). Attraction and retention of regional migrants in Australia: A scoping review. Australian Geographer. Manuscript under review.
Porter, J. E., My, S., Coombs, N., Abdelkader, A., Simic, M. (2026). Migrant settlement journey in regional Victoria: A qualitative study. Asian and Pacific Journal of Migration. Manuscript under review.
Porter, J.E., My, S., Coombs, N., Simic, M., & Hualda, L. (2026). Peer education approach to sexuality and relationship education for people with cognitive disabilities in regional Victoria. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. Manuscript under review.
Ganesan, B., Dasari, M.R., M. Priyanka (2026). Effectiveness of Community-Delivered Peer Support for Suicide Prevention in Adults: A Review. IJERPH. Manuscript under review.
Francis, A, Reji, B.A, Kaushik, A, Vasisht, S, & Goel, K. (2026). Collective Flourishing in India: Culture, Social Cohesion and Community Well-Being. Springer
Anukam, C., Udah, C., Udah, H., Francis, A. (2026). Resilience and coping strategies among migrant youth: a systematic review of the literature. J Pop Research 43, 10 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12546-026-09418-0
Nickson, A, Carter, M and Francis, A. (2026). Supervision and Professional Development in Social Work Practice, Rutledge
Francis, A. (2025) Collective Flourishing and Community Well-being: A Conceptual Paper, Space and Culture, India, 13(1), pp. 6–23. doi:10.20896/2mkva292.
Baffour F, Francis A, Chong M and Harris N (2024) Prison Overcrowding and Harsh Conditions: Health and Human Rights Concerns to persons in custody, Criminal Justice and Behavior, 51 (3). pp. 375-400
My, S. (2025). Are men lacking caring qualities in preschool education? The Journal of Men’s Studies, 34(2), 266-284. https://doi.org/10.1177/10608265251364381
Musasizi, J., Arunachalam, D., & Forbes-Mewett, H. (2025). Rethinking Refugee-Host Relations: Cultural Proximity and Historical Links. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003668633
Baruah U, Rao R, Antoniades J, Loganathan S, Varghese M, Cooper C, Kent M, Dow B, Brijnath B. Unveiling the qualities of a good doctor: family carers and healthcare professionals perspective on dementia healthcare in India. Int J Equity Health. 2025;24(1):46.
Porter, J. E., My, S., Bailey, C., Hualda, L. A. T., Simic, M. R., Ghasemi, M., Borgelt, K., & Soldatenko, D. (2025). Our equal local government: A project preventing gendered violence and sexual harassment in local governments in Gippsland. [Report – Unpublished]. Federation University Australia.
Porter, J.E., Soldatenko, D., Hualda, L. A. T., Simic, M. R., Keye, B., My, S. (2025). Walhalla Goldfields Railway Feasibility Study, Final report 2025.
Porter, J. E., My, S., Simic, M. R., Coombs, N. M., Miller, E. M., Soldatenko, D., & Hualda, L. A. T. (2024). Evaluation of the New Wave Gippsland capacity building project 2023-2024.
GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
IHM’s collaboration with Arizona State University through the Cintana Education Alliance integrates ASU-developed digital resources, curricula and online modules into our programs, providing global mobility pathways and contemporary pedagogical approaches including technology-enhanced learning and competency-based education.
Australian Council of Heads of Social Work Education
IHM’s membership helps keep the Social Work program aligned with national best practice and connected to the collective expertise of social work education leaders. Students benefit from curriculum informed by national dialogue on workforce needs, placement quality and industry expectations.
Australian & New Zealand Social Work & Welfare Education and Research
This trans-Tasman network connects IHM with social work educators and researchers, helping the program remain research-informed and responsive to emerging practice trends across Australia and New Zealand.
International Association of Schools of Social Work
IASSW membership connects students and academics to the global social work community, international best practice, human rights frameworks and global social policy dialogue, while opening pathways to conferences and collaborative research.
Work Integrated Learning Australia
This partnership strengthens real-world field education connections across community services, NGOs and welfare organisations, helping students build practical experience, professional relationships and confidence before graduation.
Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives
The relationship brings community-led expertise in Indigenous health and wellbeing into IHM’s institutional knowledge and curriculum design, strengthening cultural safety, reconciliation commitments and community accountability.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council
This connection provides guidance on the cultural, spiritual and community dimensions of ageing well for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and supports culturally appropriate aged care knowledge.
Reconciliation Western Australia
The partnership helps embed truth-telling, respect and partnership principles into institutional culture and creates channels for continuing dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
Aboriginal Gathering Place
Willum Warrain gives IHM a trusted connection to community life and community-led service delivery, bringing direct insight from community members and Elders into Social Work education and engagement.
Community-led advocacy and cultural connection
This relationship connects IHM with culturally grounded advocacy and service-delivery approaches designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia
CAPHIA connects institutions engaged in public health education, strengthening sector dialogue, academic exchange and contemporary approaches to population wellbeing.
Higher Education Private Provider Quality Network
Participation supports shared learning and quality-focused dialogue across Australia’s independent higher education sector.
Public Health Association of Australia
The association supports connection with public health knowledge, policy discussion and professional networks relevant to community wellbeing and social work practice.
International Education Association of Australia
IEAA engagement supports internationally informed education, sector connection and better experiences for globally mobile students.
Australasian Institute of Digital Health
AIDH connects IHM with digital health thinking and professional exchange relevant to technology-enabled, person-centred care.
Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia
ITECA provides sector connection and representation across independent skills training, higher education and international education.
Institutional recognition and sector affiliation
Gold affiliate status reflects IHM’s continuing commitment to professional connection, sector participation and quality education.
