Dr Anne Coleman is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Tasmania and coordinates the new qualifying Master of Social Work. She took up her appointment in September 2010, and is based in Hobart. Dr Coleman brings to the position 20 years of experience as a social worker, which includes direct work, policy development, research and teaching. She currently teaches in the Master and Bachelor of Social Work programs.
"Teaching social work students is both an honour and a challenge for me. To see the spark that’s lit when students understand the ideas and values that shape social work, and begin to understand how social work can contribute to building a world that’s more inclusive, just and sustainable is a privilege and something that will always excite me.
"Teaching is also challenging – you need to be open to questioning and prepared to re-examine your own beliefs, and that is a good motivation for keeping up with new ideas in the social work area and more broadly.
"In my teaching, I try to integrate my experiences of social work, especially the face-to-face work I’ve done with people experiencing homelessness, and my research and policy work in the homelessness area. These experiences have made me keen to help students understand the worldviews of people whose lives seem very different to their own – and to make them aware of the common humanity we all share.
"My aim as a social work educator, is to help students to develop into social workers who understand their professional role as helping people in times of crisis; treating all with dignity and respect; and of challenging the system to help create a better, fairer world."