Gary Spolander

Professor Gary Spolander is a faculty member at Robert Gordon University's School of Law & Social Sciences, with additional appointments as Extraordinary Professor of Social Work at the University of Western Cape and Honorary Professor of Global Health and Social Care at Keele University. His academic career spans multiple continents, reflecting his specialization in international social work and global perspectives on social care.

His educational background includes:

• B.Soc.Sc. in Social Work and Psychology (1984) from University of Cape Town
• B.Soc.Sc. (Hons) in Social Work (1985) from University of Cape Town
• MBA (1997) and MSc in Human Resources Development (1998) from University of Wolverhampton
• Masters in Public Health (2009) from University of Birmingham
• DBA in Health (2021) from Keele University

Professor Spolander's research interests center on international social work, structural inequality, public health, mental health, children and families, early years development, and leadership and management in health and social care. His work often takes a critical perspective, examining how broader political and economic structures impact social work practice and outcomes. Recent publications demonstrate his focus on radical integrated research approaches that connect social analysis with professional intervention frameworks.

His recent publications show a strong emphasis on international collaboration, particularly between the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Key themes include:

• Social work education and doctoral training
• Political awareness and power dynamics in social work
• Mental health support for older adults through innovative partnerships
• Community development projects like the Anchor Project in Shetland
• Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on social work practice globally
• Entrepreneurship and mental health in marginalized communities

Professor Spolander has received significant professional recognition:

• Co-Editor-in-Chief of Social Work Education Journal (2024)
• Extraordinary Professor at University of Western Cape (2022)
• Honorary Professor at Keele University (2023)
• Research Committee member of the International Association of Schools of Social Work
• Recipient of the South African Social Work Research Prize in his name (2018)

As a supervisor, Professor Spolander currently guides four doctoral students working on diverse topics including child and adolescent psychoanalysis, mental health networks, relationships with care-experienced young people, and child protection assessments. His external examining roles at institutions including University of Strathclyde, University of Western Cape, and Stellenbosch University demonstrate his international standing in social work education.

Professor Spolander's professional journey began with social work practice in South Africa before moving to the UK, where he worked in social work, public health, and leadership positions in the NHS. This practice background informs his academic work, which consistently bridges theory and practice in social work.