Research interests
My scholarly interest is in intimate and family life which includes sex and sexuality, relationships including separation as well as post separation parenting. My approach to research problems includes appreciative inquiry which centres on underrepresented populations in research and takes a stance against the pathologisation and medicalisation of people. I am an experienced researcher in interview methods, focus groups, ethnography, and creative methods. I am particularly interested in the ways in which research is translated outside the university context and into the ‘real world’ to make a difference in people’s lives which has meant that I regularly provide public commentary for various forms of media including traditional media such as television, radio and print as well as industry podcasts.
Teaching interests
My sole authored, seminal book ‘How to be a Social Worker: A Critical Guide for Students’ develops a new theoretical and pedagogical approach designed to equip students to consolidate and grow their professional self. This bestselling book is used in core topics internationally, has been translated into Swedish, and is now in its second edition. My teaching involves enabling students to 'grow' their social work identities.
Knowledge areas
relationships; sexuality and sexual identities; social work
Publications
S Roche, P Dunk-West, C Otarra, R Taylor, M Moss
(2023), pp. 1-13, Child and Family Social Work, London, Eng., C1-1
Built pedagogy and educational citizenship in an Australian alternative learning environment
P Dunk-West, D Riggs, K Vu, S Rosenberg
(2023), Vol. 5, pp. 1-7, Wellbeing, Space and Society, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
First Contact Social Work: Responding to Domestic and Family Violence
M Mandara, S Wendt, H McLaren, M Jones, P Dunk-West, K Seymour
(2023), Vol. 76, pp. 589-602, Australian Social Work, London, Eng., C1-1
C Bastian, P Dunk-West, S Wendt
(2022), Vol. 27, pp. 91-99, Child and Family Social Work, London, Eng., C1-1
J Chonody, M Killian, J Gabb, P Dunk-West
(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 203-225, Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, London, Eng., C1-1
Relationship Separation and Help-seeking: Reporting on an Agency Study
R Howard, P Dunk-West, K Natalier
(2019), Vol. 72, pp. 375-383, Australian Social Work, London, Eng., C1-1
What is a good post-separation relationship? The perspectives of Australian parents
K Natalier, P Dunk-West
(2019), Vol. 41, pp. 171-187, Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, London, Eng., C1-1
J Chonody, J Gabb, M Killian, P Dunk-West
(2018), Vol. 28, pp. 920-930, Research on Social Work Practice, London, Eng., C1-1
P Dunk-West, T Hafford-Letchfield
(2018), London, Eng., A7-1
J Schaub, P Willis, P Dunk-West
(2017), Vol. 47, pp. 427-446, British Journal of Social Work, Oxford, Eng., C1-1
Sexual Identities and Sexuality in Social Work: Research and Reflections from Women in the Field
P Dunk-West, T Hafford-Letchfield
(2016), A7-1
Priscilla Dunk-West, Heather Brook
(2015), pp. 150-164, Introducing Gender and Women’s Studies, London, Eng., B1-1
Emotion work and the management of stigma in female sex workers' long-term intimate relationships
H Murphy, P Dunk-West, J Chonody
(2015), Vol. 51, pp. 1103-1116, Journal of Sociology, C1-1
Social Work Identity, Power and Selfhood: A Re-Imagining
Priscilla Dunk-West
(2014), pp. 20-30, Rethinking Anti-Discriminatory and Anti-Oppressive Theories for Social Work Practice, London, Eng, B1-1
P Dunk-West
(2012), Vol. 10, pp. 1-13, Social Work and Society, Bielefeld, Germany, C1-1
Reflecting on sexual health and young women's sexuality: Business or pleasure?
M Brown, P Dunk-West
(2011), pp. 61-70, Sexual Identities and Sexuality in Social Work: Research and Reflections from Women in the Field, Surrey, Eng., B1-1
Everyday sexuality and identity: De-differentiating the sexual self in social work
P Dunk-West
(2011), pp. 177-191, Sexual Identities and Sexuality in Social Work: Research and Reflections from Women in the Field, Surrey, Eng., B1-1
Socio-cultural risk? reporting on a qualitative study with female street-based sex workers
M Leaker, P Dunk-West
(2011), Vol. 16, Sociological Research Online, C1-1
B West, J Pudsey, P Dunk-West
(2011), Vol. 47, pp. 198-214, Journal of Sociology, C1-1
Sexual identities and sexuality in social work: Research and reflections from women in the field
P Dunk-West, T Hafford-Letchfield
(2011), London, Eng., A7-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report