Scott appointed new chair of child protection
by Michèle Nardelli
Melbourne expert in child and family welfare, Professor Dorothy Scott,
has been appointed as the new Chair of Child Protection at the University of
South Australia.
Announcing the appointment, UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor for the Division for Education Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Michael Rowan, said he believed Professor Scott's appointment would add strength and depth to an important national research agenda into child protection.
Head of the School of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Melbourne, Prof Scott has 30 years teaching experience and a hands-on background in social work and child protection.
“Professor Scott brings an enormous depth to the position from coalface experience in the earliest part of her career as a social worker, right through to her impressive list of research publications including four books and more than 40 refereed publications in this field,“ Prof Rowan said.
“Her latter career experience in policy development relating to strengthening families and rebuilding communities has seen her appointed an advisor to both State and Commonwealth Governments in Australia, including participation in a number of high level inquiries.“
In 1999 Professor Scott was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to education and research in child welfare and that was followed by a Centenary Medal in 2001.
Prof Scott said she was honoured to be invited to accept the position.
“It provides a wonderful opportunity to make a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Australia,“ she said.
“I am looking forward to working with people across a broad range of disciplines and in many organisations to advance a knowledge-based approach to child protection.“
Announced in March this year the new Chair of Child Protection is funded for $10
million over 10 years. Professor Scott will take up the position in March 2005.