Monica Short

Teaching and Research Staff

Dr Monica Short

Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Welfare (Welfare and Social Policy)

Senior Lecturer in Social Work

Canberra

Collaboration, engagement and story are fundamental to Dr Monica Short's research and teaching. Monica has a degree in Social Work, a Master of Social Welfare (Welfare and Social Policy), and a PhD by publication. Monica has worked for over 20 years in large government organisations, including professional, project management, and managerial roles. Her work aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16 – that is, she promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, upholds the provision of access to justice for all and helps build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Monica coordinates the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers link and is a member of the Anglican Church of Australia Mission and Ministry Commission, a member of the CSU Gulbali Institute and a centre scholar with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

In 2021, Monica received a St Mark's National Theological Centre Greg Eather Memorial Prize for meritorious work in Christianity and Australian Society. In 2020, Monica received The Australia and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research Field-University Collaboration Award. She was one of a group of recipients who received a CSU Excellence Award. In 2016 Monica received the Australian New Zealand Social Work, Welfare and Research Field Placement Recognition Award for championing innovative models for research.

Located on Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands, Monica is based in Canberra.

Monica applies a pedagogy and theology of kindness in her teaching. This teaching and learning approach creates opportunities for all educational stakeholders to care for each other pastorally and to show and nurture kindness. Further, it aims for all people in a learning system to journey transformational learning moments together - spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally well. Monica utilises the heutagogical principles of collaborative learning and democratising education in her teaching.

Monica also participates in research collaborations concerning pedagogy that, for example, 'enable students to think critically about their evolving context, foster resilience and skills, instigate change and maintain social work values' (Short, Trembath, Duncombe & Whitaker, 2018, p. 12). Monica teaches in accordance with the CSU Strategic Focus of fostering belonging and connectedness.

Monica is a senior social work lecturer and social sciences researcher at Charles Sturt University. She is teaching and research active, and supervises PhD students.

She has subject coordinated, convened, tutored, supervised in and/or marked the following subjects:

  • Indigenous Academic Success Program
  • HCS303 Social Work Field Education 1
  • HCS505 Social Work Field Education 1
  • HCS402 Social Work Field Education 2
  • HCS506 Social Work Field Education 2
  • HCS200 Social Work Theory and Practice 1: Foundations of Practice
  • HCS111 Introduction to human services
  • HCS507 Social Work Theory and Practice 1: Foundations of Practice
  • SWK424 Social Work Field Education 2A
  • WEL418 Case Management
  • WEL523 Contemporary Theories of Case Management

Workshops and development opportunities for volunteers, small groups, faith-based and secular human services organisations, and communities in rural and urban locations

  • In partnership with Dr Emma Rush (CSU), Dr Monica Short co-facilitates inspirational professional development webinars on ethical practice for professional organisations.
  • In partnership with colleagues from Northern Rivers University Centre for Rural Health – University of Sydney, Southern Cross University - Australia, Charles Sturt University, University College Cork – Ireland, University of New England - Australia and the International Network of Co-operative Inquirers, Monica facilitates transnational student-led, rural-focussed co-operative inquiries for academics and students page.
  • Monica facilitates Sharing Our Professional Practice Wisdom and Voice in the Public Domain professional development workshops.
  • In partnership with the Director of Mission and Culture, Revd Sarah Plummer, from Anglicare NSW South, NSW West, and ACT, Monica co-facilitates community engagement and development workshops on Creating Communities of Hope and Kindness in Uncertain Times.

The psycho-social-spiritual-physical resilience and well-being of individuals, volunteers and communities in their environments are the focus of Monica's research. Her personal research narrative is to generate collaborations and meaning that enhances and respects individuals, volunteers, groups, organisations and communities within practice, education and research (Short, Barton, Cooper, Woolven, Loos & Devos, 2017, p. 104). Honouring emic (insider) and etic (outsider) knowledge, valuing relationships, collaboration, sharing power, promoting social justice and upholding egalitarian principles are central principles for her research (Short, 2018, p. 233).

Monica applies an integrated lens with an epistemological base in social work, sociology and theology in her work; and she utilises reflexive and reflective methodologies such as co-operative inquiry, ethnography, literature review, and case studies. Her research contributes to the CSU research narrative of the development of individuals and thriving communities with strong social frameworks where harmony resides.

Dr Monica Short participates in the following international communities:

  • Facilitates/coordinates the International Network of Co-operative inquirers, website
  • Member of the Social Work and Health Inequalities Network

She is part of the following national communities:

  • Researcher with the CSU Gulbali Institute Website
  • Centre Scholar with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture Website