I am a teaching academic and a senior lecturer at the University of South Australia, Justice and Society Unit. Passionate about human rights and social justice, both in my professional working life and teaching this to the future generations of social workers and human service workers. I try to live by ‘the standard you walk by is the standard you accept’. Having had a long rewarding professional life in social work in senior positions for child protection services in the State of Hawaii, USA and South Australian mental health services. I have worked overseas with the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, the American University in Cairo, Egypt and with the Australian Defence... Read more
About me
I am a teaching academic and a senior lecturer at the University of South Australia, Justice and Society Unit. Passionate about human rights and social justice, both in my professional working life and teaching this to the future generations of social workers and human service workers. I try to live by ‘the standard you walk by is the standard you accept’. Having had a long rewarding professional life in social work in senior positions for child protection services in the State of Hawaii, USA and South Australian mental health services. I have worked overseas with the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, the American University in Cairo, Egypt and with the Australian Defence Force. Looking back, most of my professional career has been in leading and managing teams, statutory work and supporting people through trauma and the upheavals of life.
Also an admitted Barrister and Solicitor to the Supreme Court of South Australia and have a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Adelaide.
I was appointed in 2018 as a deputy chair of UniSA Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and have also been the HREC Acting Chair during periods from 2019 and 2023.
About me
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR)
Refugee Action Coalition
About me
Masters in Social Work (Honours) (NOOSR assessed degree comparable to the academic level of an Australian master degree) University of Hawaii
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice The Law Society of South Australia
Bachelor in Social Work (Honours) (NOOSR assessed degree comparable to the academic level of an Australian bachelor degree) Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) University of Adelaide
Admitted Barrister and Solicitor Supreme Court of South Australia
2022- Senior Lecturer, University of South Australia, Justice and Society Unit
2015 – 2021 Lecturer, University of South Australia
2014 - 2015 Sessional staff member, University of South Australia, School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy
2004 – 2013 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Executive level 1 APS
1993 – 2004 and 1988 – 1990 Senior Social Worker, SA Mental Health Services
1991 – 1993 Senior Social Worker, US Embassy Program and Cairo American College, Community Service Association, Cairo, Egypt
1990 - 1991 Senior Social Worker, the American University in Cairo, Egypt, Office of Student Affairs
1982 – 1983 and 1985 – 1988 Senior Social Worker, State of Hawaii, Department of Social Services, Family and Child Protection Division
1983 – 1984 State of Hawaii, Domestic violence emergency 24 hours services
1982 United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) Bangkok, Thailand
Maxfield, K., 2018 Co-Constructing Excellence in University Learning and Teaching International Conference, University of Hong Kong. 'Teaching and learning culture in real-life context through in-situational learning for Social Work.'
Maxfield K., 2017 AASW National Symposium, Hobart, Tasmania Conference presentation, 'Social justice in action - getting beyond classroom learning and into the Courts for social workers'.
Heath, M. Due, C., Hamood W. Hutchinson, A. Leiman, T., Maxfield K. and Warland, J. Teaching sensitive material: A multi-disciplinary perspective.' 2016 Conference presentation, Higher Education Research Group, (HERGA) University of Adelaide
Maxfield, K., Moulding N. and Scicchitano,... Read more
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
Open access
8
|
Publications
Maddison, C., Maxfield, K., Zufferey, C. Raising the Age of Criminal Responsiblity: Advocates Perspectives and An Urgent Call for Action. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education Journal. Vol. 24 No. 2 (2023) 18/09/2023
Co-authored book chapter, The Elements of Ethical Practice: Applied Psychology Ethics in Australia, Edited Nadine J Pelling, Lorelle J Burton. Part B: Practice-focused ethical dilemmas 1. Sleepy drivers die: When a safety slogan is also an ethical concern. Book published May 2019
Heath, M, Due, C, Hamood, W, Hutchinson, A, Leiman, T, Maxfield, K & Warland, J 2017, 'Teaching sensitive material: a multi-disciplinary perspective', Ergo, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 5-13.
Research
Maxfield, K., 2018 Co-Constructing Excellence in University Learning and Teaching International Conference, University of Hong Kong. 'Teaching and learning culture in real-life context through in-situational learning for Social Work.'
Maxfield K., 2017 AASW National Symposium, Hobart, Tasmania Conference presentation, 'Social justice in action - getting beyond classroom learning and into the Courts for social workers'.
Heath, M. Due, C., Hamood W. Hutchinson, A. Leiman, T., Maxfield K. and Warland, J. Teaching sensitive material: A multi-disciplinary perspective.' 2016 Conference presentation, Higher Education Research Group, (HERGA) University of Adelaide
Maxfield, K., Moulding N. and Scicchitano, 'Teaching the Recovery Model of Mental Health Practice to Students from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds: Learning from the frontline'. 2015 Conference presentation, Higher Education Research Group, (HERGA) University of Adelaide
Maxfield K. 1989 – 1990 'Indochinese and Mental Health', Statewide Mental Health Services, presentation and training sessions.
2023 UniSA Stepping stone grant 'explore and identify social work and law focused FE placements across organisations focused on legal work and advocacy, legal settings, courts and tribunals.'
2021 Justice and Society, Wirringka Award. Working towards Reconciliation through social work and teaching partnership with the Aboriginal Elders in the Nunga Court (Aboriginal) Court and in the Coroners Court of SA for 'deaths in custody'. Social justice 'More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, towards braver and more impactful action.' Wirringka means 'together in common with' in the Kuarna language.
Nominated for UNiSA EASS Division Teaching Excellence Award 2016
Completed week intensive LEADR mediation workshop, Melbourne 2014
Law placement - Legal Service Commission SA, Criminal Law Practice Section 2008
Convenor – South Australia Mental Health Senior Social Workers 2000 - 2002
1992 – 1993 Appointed to assist Chairperson on the US Ambassador’s, Egypt, Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force
Going to India with the United Nations to review Mother Teresa’s work
Awarded USA National Mental Health Scholarship to complete my Masters in Social Work, University of Hawaii
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Teaching & student supervision
