Debby Lynch

Dr. Debby Lynch is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Student Engagement, Experience and Employability (SEEE) Academic Lead at the University of Queensland's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She has held this position since September 2021, bringing extensive international experience from South Africa, India, Nepal, and Indonesia to her academic work.

Dr. Lynch earned her Bachelor's and Honours degrees from Stellenbosch University, a Master's from the University of Cape Town, and her PhD from the University of Sydney. Her academic journey has positioned her as a leader in social work education and practice.

Her research focuses on community development, ecosocial work, child protection systems, and health equity. Dr. Lynch is particularly passionate about integrating environmental concerns into social work practice and addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations. Her work emphasizes participatory approaches that center community voices and knowledge systems, especially in Indigenous contexts.

Dr. Lynch's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on school-community partnerships, Indigenous health, and ecosocial approaches to social work. Her research trajectory shows increasing attention to climate justice, decolonizing methodologies, and community-based solutions to complex social and health challenges.

• Dean's Scholar Commendations for Teaching (2012 and 2013)
• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Teaching and Learning Award: Respect and Support for the Development of Students (2016)
• UQ Teaching and Learning Award: Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2017)
• Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Teaching and Learning Award: Commendation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2022)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (June 2019)
• Affiliate Academic with the UQ Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation

Dr. Lynch actively supervises multiple PhD and Master's students, with current projects focusing on ecosocial work, school absenteeism, and community development practice frameworks. She has secured significant research funding including an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project (2022-2025) on school-community partnerships to address student absenteeism, building on previous work with the Queensland Department of Education.

Through interdisciplinary collaborations with nursing and midwifery colleagues, Dr. Lynch is engaged in Indigenous research partnerships focused on Rheumatic Heart Disease prevention in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, working closely with HDR social work students and community stakeholders.