Michelle Hood

Michelle Hood Image

Position: Lecturer
Study area: Social work and Community and Human Services
Location: Mt Helen Campus, Room H239
Phone: 53276667
Email: m.hood@federation.edu.au

Video: Meet Michelle Hood

Qualifications

PhD (in Progress) – La Trobe University- 2020

Master of Social Work (Qualifying) – Federation University- 2016

Graduate Certificate in Education (Tertiary Teaching)- 2020

Adv. Dip Engineering (Computer systems)

Diploma Digital Media Technologies

Diploma Clinical Hypnosis

Diploma Clinical Hypnotherapy

Diploma Kinesiology

Cert IV Health (Nursing-Medication Endorsed)

Cert II Information Technology

Cert II Tourism and Hospitality

Cert Reception and Office practices

Teaching

Courses

  • Bachelor of Community & Human Services
  • Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Units

  • Interpersonal Communication for professional practice (CHSUG1002)
  • Theories and practices of Groupwork (CHSUG2001)
  • Counselling for individuals and families (CHSUG3002)
  • Professional Social work practice (MSWPG7102)

Biography

Michelle is a Social Worker who lectures in the Bachelor of Community and Human Services and Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Michelle is also completing her PhD where she is researching the therapeutic interventions and approaches towards caregivers during End of life care. Michelle holds extensive multidisciplinary, industry-related experience in community and human services such as in the areas of counseling, mental health (acute and extended care), aged care, psycho-geriatric mental health, disability and community. She has a diverse background with experience and training in Health, Complementary Therapies along with Information technology and digital media. She is passionate about her students learning and is interested in the research and development of therapeutic interventions particularly in relation to End-of-life care, trauma, mental health, non-verbal communication, and wellbeing.

Her previous experience includes training in psychosomatic integration and body mindfulness, working in Mental Health, and assisting the development of Medicare digital signatures and Australian Standards (HL7 AS4700.6-2006) for the Centre for e-Health.  Michelle cares about her students and works towards ensuring they are supported through their learning by encouraging her students to become reflective practitioners along with developing the theoretical and practical skills, knowledge, and wisdom to move forward in their learning and future career in community and Human services as Social Workers.

Areas of expertise

Michelle has a background in nursing and holistic health and wellbeing. She is a qualified Social worker who supports her students through their learning. She encourages the development of empathy, compassion and care in her students and works at ensuring these qualities are taken out into the field. Encouraging critical thinking in her students as a means of looking beneath the surface of a variety of contexts and providing support to those potentially vulnerable populations. Michelle has a passion for research and being open minded to new perspectives and innovation, in particular active listening and holistic non-verbal communication strategies.  Michelle is currently completing her PhD.  Her research is titled “Who cares for the caregiver? The caregivers perspective: Supporting regional Victorian caregivers during end-of-life care processes (pre and post loss)”

Research interests

  • Social work and community services
  • Student engagement, education, and training
  • End-of-Life caregiving research and development
  • Information Technology (I.T), Digital media technology in education and training
  • PTSD, Grief and Trauma
  • Mental Health Wellbeing
  • Animal therapies, Art therapy, Music Therapy
  • Non-verbal communication and care (how we find a voice for the voiceless)
  • Imagination and the senses

Publications

Refereed journal articles

Townsend, R, & Hood, M. (2019). Horse talk : Equine based learning programs and their engagement with individuals. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 59(2), 254-268.

Townsend, R., Sadowski, C., Phillips, J. & Hood, M. (2016). A Preliminary, Independent Evaluation of Equine Learning Experiences Australia, ELEA, Buninyong Bendigo Bank and Federation University Australia.

Referred conference Proceedings

Hood, M. (2016, December) Teaching, research and practice nexus in community and human services in Regional Victoria: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities’ Faculty of Education and Arts Symposium

Associations

  • Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)