Vinathe is a lecturer of social work in the School of Law and Society.
Vinathe holds specialist knowledge and practice in nature-human relationships emphasising healthy natural environment’s influence on human health and wellbeing. Her practice area is Eco-Social Work also known as Environmental Social Work and Green Social Work. As an accredited social worker (AASW) and a Forest School practitioner (UK), Vinathe’s translational research has a spread across climate change and action, healthy humans and healthy environments, eco-justice, and green social prescribing.
Vinathe has a good track record of interdisciplinary academic teaching, research and supervision experience from Australia, UK, and India. She is qualified and trained in diverse fields such as psychology, education, environmental planning, and social work. She also has practitioner experience in human, social, and community services (England, UK), community development (India) and climate change, disaster preparedness and recovery (Australia).
Vinathe holds a PhD (University of Wollongong; recommended for Special Commendation) and three Master’s degrees - Social Work (MSW(Q) from QUT), Women, Education and Development (MEd Honours Degree by Research, University of Wollongong), and Psychology (MA, University of Mysore). She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Planning (University of Mysore).
Professional engagement and affiliations
Vinathe is involved in research, teaching and learning committees at UniSC. She has several research and practitioner roles at national and international levels as follows:
- Journal editing: Editor, Special Issue of JAEOL and Frontiers in Psychology on human wellbeing and natural environments
- International collaboration: Coordinator of Indigenous Peoples Thematic Group-HDCA, USA
- Professional Social Work: Accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and Member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
- Outdoor Health and Wellbeing: Member of AABAT, AELA, Outdoors Queensland
- Comparative and International Education: OCIES
Awards/Fellowships
- International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, University of Canberra, 2002
Professional Social Media
As an interdisciplinary researcher, Vinathe has published more than 45 scholarly works including journal articles, book chapters, books, policy and research reports, and conference papers. Her translational publications are on various topics in psychology, social work, education, and gender studies. She specialises in qualitative research methodologies, valuing participatory co-designed approach. She is a member of cross-institutional interdisciplinary research teams and projects. She has contributed entries to UN Sustainable Development Goals–Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being and Goal 5 Gender Equality.
HDR Supervision
Vinathe is supervising a HDR student project on the effects of asbestos exposure on health as well as coaching a potential HDR student project on natural disasters impacting women. She has successfully supervised to completion two student research projects on, 1. Community gardening benefits for psychosocial wellbeing; 2. Outdoor education practices and wellbeing.
Research areas
- Wellbeing and human-nature relationships
- Climate change and impact on mental health
- Gender
- Human development and human capabilities
- Ageing and aged care services
- Indigenous social work
- Multicultural social work
- International social work
In her current role at UniSC, Vinathe coordinates courses and teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She supervises students’ field placements and Higher Degree by Research students. She has taken a keen interest in developing Indigenous Social Work and Multicultural Social Work courses. Prior to UniSC, Vinathe taught at all levels in Psychology and Social Work disciplines at Australian College of Applied Professions. She coordinated a Psychology Honours study course, and also supervised the research projects of Master’s degree students in Counselling & Psychotherapy programs. Specifically in Social Work, she taught innovative study courses such as International Social Work, Ageing and Aged Care Services, and Intercultural Diversities in Professional Contexts.
Vinathe is currently the Program Coordinator of Human and Community Services programs at UniSC (undergraduate certificate, diploma and bachelor’s degree).
Teaching areas
- SWK251 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- SWK708 Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Program coordinator
Dr. Vinathe Sharma-Brymer specialist areas of knowledge include, Green/Environmental Social Work, Human Capabilities, Social Justice; Gender; Qualitative Research Methodologies.