I graduated in social work from UWA in 1988, after having worked for the (now) Department for Community Development in remote and rural WA and Metropolitan Perth for 16years. During that time I developed an interest and gained experience in developmental processes with isolated and remote communities, Aboriginal groups and communities and families from varied backgrounds. Working from the (then) Head Office providing services to remote regions assisted me to develop training skills which were then employed in working with members of the voluntary sector, before coming to UWA to teach part time in the Social Work programme in 1994. I have spent some years also teaching in the rural and remote social work course at Edith Cowan University in Bunbury where I was able to extend and consolidate my interest in rural and remote social work practice. I am now involved across most areas of the social work course here at UWA with special interests in teaching community practice and social policy, and working with postgraduate students in their research.

I am currently Discipline Chair and Postgraduate coordinator, with teaching responsibilities in Community Practice, Social Policy, Research Methods and Organisational Practice and Law.

Dr Susan Young 2006, 'What is the best modern evidence to guide building a community - capacity building - community development strategies', Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth (ARACY).

Dr Susan Young 2005, 'Literature Review: Child Abuse Healing Services', Department for Community Development.

Dr Susan Young 2003, 'How WA Government Policies and Practices Help Communities Protect Children: A Study of Work in the Department for Community Development', UWA Research Grants Scheme.

My main areas of research are exploring community approaches to child protection both in WA and with international partners in New Zealand and Norway; examining the implementation of and evaluating Full Service Schools in WA with reference to the FSS movements in the UK and US; and the contribution made by whiteness theory to social work and social policy theory and practice.