Karen Bell
Lecturer
Karen Bell
Bio
Karen completed a Bachelor of Arts (La Trobe University Melbourne) in 1986 and a Bachelor of Social Work (University of Melbourne) in 1988; she is currently a PhD candidate. She has worked in social work education at CSU since 1993, initially as a casual lecturer and since 2000 as a permanent staff member. She also has practice experience mainly in health as a generalist hospital social worker and in mental health as an onsite social worker in a regional psychiatric unit. She has undertaken various contract and locum positions in health and community services over the years. She has also worked at Centrelink as a caseworker and in indirect practice roles including staff training and development, reviews and projects.
Teaching
- Karen has taught a range of subjects in welfare, social work and human services. She currently teaches Introduction to Social Welfare (HCS111) and Fields of Practice (HC103) as well as in the field education subjects (HCS303 & 402).
Research
- Karen’s PhD research is on non-metropolitan women’s experiences of assisted reproductive technology. Her other research interests include student practicum, rural service delivery issues and women’s health.
Recent publications
Bell, K. (2006) An overview of assisted reproduction in Australia and directions for social research. Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society:4:1
Alston, M., Allan, J., Dietsch, E., Wilkinson, J., Shankar, J., Osburn, L., Bell, K., Meunstermann, I., Giorgas, D., Moore, E., Jennett, C., Ritter, L., Gibson, R., Grantley, J., Wallace, J., Harris, J. (2006) Brutal neglect: Australian rural women’s access to health services. Rural and Remote Health 6 (online), 2006: 475. http://rrh.deakin.edu.au
Barton, H., Bell, K., & Bowles, W. (2005) Help or hindrance? Outcomes of social work student placements. Australian Social Work, 58(3)
Alston, M., Whittenbury, K., Bell, K., Brown, A., McKinnon, J., Williams, R., Mitchell, R., Allan, J., Dowling, J., Wicks, A., Valentine, B., Hamilton, P., McKinnon, N. (2005) SERPS Up: Support, Engagement and Retention of Postgraduate Students – a model of postgraduate support, Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 45(2)
Bell, K. (2004) Assisted reproduction and the wellbeing of women: Questioning the miracle. Wellbeing of Women Conference Proceedings. Charles Sturt University.
Alston, M., Pawar, M., Bell, K., Kent, A., Blacklow, N. (2001) The Western Riverina Higher Education Needs Analysis. Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Membership of professional associations and groups
- Fully Accredited Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers
- Member of the Steering Committee, Wagga Wagga Social Workers’ Group
