Dr Lorraine Muller ~ JCU Senior Research Fellow

Lorraine is the first person to graduate with two PhDs from James Cook University after graduating Cum Laude with her second PhD from School Medicine and Dentistry, JCU, having first completed a BSocSc-BSW Hons and an earlier PhD in SASS, JCU.

Lorraine's first PhD research identified and documented the theoretical framework used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Health professionals into an academic format - Indigenous Australian Social-Health Theory. This thesis is published (2014) as A Theory for Indigenous Australian Health and Human Service Work: Connecting Indigenous knowledge with practice, Allen & Unwin and won the Educational Publishing Awards Australia 2015 'Scholarly Resource' category.

Lorraine's second doctorate shifted the research lens onto non-Indigenous mainstream Australian culture, from an Indigenous perspective.  This study identified distinct areas of difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mainstream Australian culture, as well as similarities and developed some promising methods to promote greater understanding and inter-cultural respect between the two cultures.

Lorraine's area of expertise is situated within the disparate but interconnected Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian cultures and identities and the complex interactions between the two, seeking ways to stimulate and build inter-cultural respect.

Lorraine’s work has gained international recognition with an invitation from the University of St Thomas, Canada, to attend an International  writers workshop and contribute a book chapter in a publication on social work with Indigenous peoples around the world (offer was declined).

Lorraine has been a keynote and invited speaker at national and international conferences. She was an international organiser of the 2nd International Indigenous Voices in Social Work conference held in Winnipeg Canada 2013, and is an an inaugural member of the International Indigenous Knowledges in Social Work Research Network, established post-conference.

Interests

Professional

• Ethics

Research

• Indigenous Australian knowledge and theory
• Indigenous research methods
• Intergenerational communication
• Indigenous Australian Spirituality
• Respect
• Mainstream Australian culture/identity from an Indigenous perspective.
• Racism
• Class and Social Stratification
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Research Disciplines

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing (4504)
• Public health (4206)
• Health services and systems (4203)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health (2103)
• Provision of health and support services (2003)

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

• Muller L (2007) De-colonisation: reflections and implications for social work practice. Communities, Children and Families Australia, 3 (1). pp. 80-87

Books

• Muller L (2014) A Theory for Indigenous Australian Health and Human Service Work. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, Australia

Book Chapters

• Muller L (2016) Preparing to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island (Indigenous) peoples: decolonisation for social work practice. In: Practice Skills for Social Work & Welfare. Allen and Unwin, Australia, pp. 84-101
• Muller L (2014) Indigenous Australian social-health theory: decolonisation, healing - reclaiming wellbeing. In: Social Work Practice for Promoting Health and Wellbeing: critical issues. Routledge, London, UK, pp. 99-110
• Gair S and Muller L (2009) Circular movement in the teacher/learner roles for advanced Indigenous social work education. In: Social Work Education: voices from the Asia Pacific. Vulgar Press, Bayswater, VIC, Australia, pp. 125-148

Conference Papers

• Muller L (2006) Recognition of knowledge: Indigenous Australian social-health informing tertiary academic theory. Papers from CROCCS 4th International Conference: 'Working Together for Families. 4-6 August 2006, Mackay, Qld

Other research outputs

• Muller L (in press) Decolonisation: More Than a Trendy Word. Australian Social Work,
• Muller L (2022) Decolonisation for social work practice Preparing to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) peoples. In: Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare 4th Edition - More Than Just Common Sense. Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 40-54
• Muller L, Burton H and Ludwig S (2022) Culture and Identity: Building Intercultural Respect. In: Burda-Burda Balayi Health Professionals and Indigenous Health: Working at the Interface. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 2-26
• Muller L (2013) Book review of "Our Voices: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Work" by Bennet, B., Green, S., Gilbert, S. and Bessarab, D., Palgrave Macmillan, South Yarra, Australia. Social Work Education, 32 (8). pp. 1109-1111
• Muller L and Gair S (2013) Respecting knowledge: circular movement in teacher/learner roles to advance Indigenous social work education and practice. In: Social Work Education: voices from the Asia Pacific. Sydney University Press, Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 29-53