Jenny Martin

Jenny Martin is Professor of Social Work and Human Services and Discipline Lead in Social Work, Community and Human Services at Federation University Australia's Institute of Education, Arts and Community (IEAC), where she joined in 2021 after serving as founding Chair of Social Work at Swinburne University and Associate Professor at RMIT University.

Her extensive qualifications include:

• PhD, La Trobe University
• MSW and BSW, University of Melbourne
• BA, La Trobe University
• Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, RMIT University
• Diploma for Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Certificate in Gender and Disaster Recovery, World Bank
• Certificate IV in Assessment and Training, RMIT University
• Certificate in Developmental Child Psychiatry, Travencore/Austin Health
• Mediator and Arbitrator Accreditation, Australian Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators

Her research centers on translational studies addressing mental health, social inclusion, and community resilience with emphasis on regional/rural contexts. Key areas include family violence interventions, housing affordability, climate impacts on farming communities, and gender equity. She employs mixed-methods approaches like photovoice to capture lived experiences while integrating human rights frameworks and eco-systems theory to develop practical solutions for vulnerable populations.

Recent publications reveal strong thematic continuity in mental health service delivery, risk assessment methodologies, and social work education. Her work consistently bridges academic research and frontline practice, with significant focus on Australian regional communities and international collaborations in Central Asia and Malaysia. Articles demonstrate methodological diversity from cluster randomized trials to scoping reviews, all oriented toward actionable outcomes for policymakers and practitioners.

As an active supervisor, she currently mentors PhD candidate Marcel Koper and has guided 12 PhD/Masters students as primary supervisor plus 5 as associate supervisor. Her funded projects over the past five years feature:

• NHMRC grants on healthcare implementation (2020-2025)
• Housing equity models with Lord Mayors Charitable Fund
• Drought impact studies with Southern Farming Systems Ltd
• Gender Equality Plans for City of Ballarat and Macedon Ranges Shire Council
• Evaluations of mentoring programs funded by City of Ballarat
• UN Food and Agriculture Organisation climate adaptation research

She leads the Society and Heritage stream of the Future Regions Research Centre, examining socio-ecological systems through ethnohistoric lenses to inform contemporary policy. Her work integrates environmental values into social practices while addressing minority inclusion through interdisciplinary partnerships with health services, government agencies, and community organizations globally.