Abraham Francis is an Associate Professor in Social Work and Human Services at James Cook University in Australia.  He worked with many NGO’s and Corporate Sector as a social worker. Dr Francis has initiated and established many international research projects, supported a number of international field placements and has been instrumental in establishing international partnerships and research collaborations with Universities and organisations in South Asia. He taught social work at the Delhi University in India and also worked as a senior mental health social worker with Country Health South Australia, before moving to Townsville to join James Cook University. He held a stint in Queensland health as Assistant Director of Social work. Dr Francis is associated with many voluntary organisations, associations, professional bodies and developmental projects both in Australia and India. In 2012, Abraham launched an international consortium on strengths-based practice in Mental Health in Nepal. Currently, he is the convener of this international consortium.

Dr Francis is passionate about working and researching in strengths-based practice in mental health. He has extensively contributed to the literature on Social Work practice in mental health through his publications, convening conferences, establishing research networks and by developing consortiums. His other research interests are in the field of communities, criminal justice, international social work, and gerontological social work.  His excellence in teaching has likewise been recognised on a number of occasions.  For example, in 2010, he was a recipient of James Cook University’s Inclusive Practice Award for his “exceptional support for students with a disability”. More recently, in 2016, he received the university’s ‘Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning’ for his “leadership and expertise in social work education in mental health that inspires and nurtures students to be competent, confident and compassionate practitioners”.

 

Teaching

• WS2513: Community Work (Level 2; TSV)
• WS4503: Social Work and Mental Health (Level 4; TSV)
• WS5603: Social Work and Mental Health (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Mental health, Strengths based practice, Community work, International social work.

Experience

• 2006 to 2010 - Senior Mental health social Worker, Govt.South Australia (Adelaide)
• 1999 to 2005 - Lecturer, Delhi University (DELHI-India)

Research Disciplines

• Social Work (1607)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Education and Training Systems (9305)
• Education and Training (9399)
• Justice and the Law (9404)

Awards

• 2016 - JCU Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
• 2012 to 2013 - 2012 -JCU Award for Excellence - Partnerships and Collaboration
• 2010 - Inclusive Practice Award

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Khan A, Miles D and Francis A (2018) Re-visioning child protection management embedded in family empowerment. Children Australia, 43 (3). pp. 208-216
• Zuchowski I, Miles D, Howard E, Harris N and Francis A (in press) Sustaining quality learning abroad opportunities in Australian schools of social work. International Social Work,
• Carter M, Pagliano P, Francis A and Thorne M (2017) Australian university students and mental health: viewpoints from the literature. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 3 (3). pp. 1-25
• Harris N, Miles D, Howard E, Zuchowski I, King J, Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya P, Jones P, Francis A, Gopalkrishnan N and Puthantharayil G (2017) International student exchange in Australian social work education. Australian Social Work, 70 (4). pp. 429-440
• Zuchowski I, Gopalkrishnan N, King J and Francis A (2017) Reciprocity in international student exchange: challenges posed by neo-colonialism and the dominance of the Western voice. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 29 (1). pp. 77-87
• Carter M and Francis A (2016) Responding to changing landscapes in social work education in mental health: possible ways forward. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 2 (3). pp. 83-95

Book Chapters

• Chong M and Francis A (2017) Introduction: demystifying criminal justice social work: filling the void. In: Demystifying Criminal Justice Social Work in India. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, pp. XXVII-XLIX
• Chong M, Fellows J, Jose S, Francis A and williams K (2017) The prevalence of mental illness within the Indian criminal justice system. In: Demystifying Criminal Justice Social Work in India. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, pp. 50-81
• Francis A and Chong M (2017) Conclusion: the future of criminal justice social work: reflections. In: Demystifying Criminal Justice Social Work in India. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, pp. 262-279
• Pulla V, Chong M, Francis A and Henni M (2017) Human rights in the Indian criminal justice system: women and children. In: Demystifying Criminal Justice Social Work in India. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, pp. 215-243
• Francis A and Chong M (2015) Application of strengths-based principles in addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system. In: Social Work Practice in Mental Health: cross-cultural perspectives. Allied Publishers, New Delhi, India, pp. 90-102

Conference Papers

• Miles D, Jones P, Gopalkrishnan N, Francis A, Harris N, Howard E, King J, Zuchowski I, Dhephasadin Na Ayudhaya P and Puthantharayil G (2016) Contested concepts of 'partnership' in international student exchange programs. Proceedings of the 37th HERDSA Annual International Conference. In: HERSDA 2016: 39th Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual International Conference: the shape of higher education, 4-7 July 2016, Freemantle, WA, Australia

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 85+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Abraham Francis from 2010 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Factors Contributing to Recidivism Among Inmates in Ghana Prisons (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

• Re-visioning child protection management embedded in family empowerment (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• When the Bough Bends: Lived Experiences of Perinatal Anxiety (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.