Denise McKinnon

Ms. Denise McKinnon

Lecturer (Education Focused) (ACDF)

Details

About

Denise is a Lecturer and Field Education Coordinator in the post-graduate Social Work program at RMIT.  With extensive experience in public policy, project and programme management, direct practice and social work leadership, Denise has worked extensively with marginalised communities, families and individuals with lived experiences of gendered violence, family breakdown, homelessness, unemployment, disability, mental health, and financial insecurity.  During her career, Denise has led and collaborated on significant change initiatives, responses to local and international disasters and developed professional learning programs.  


Denise enjoys working with students and teaching the education aspects integrated learning.  Denise is a champion of diversity and inclusion, a proud LGBTQIA+ and First Nations ally, and passionate about creating collaborative learning spaces that support emerging professional identities and practice..  


Denise has broad research interests in professional practice, public policy, and community development. 

 

Qualifications

 

  • Bachelor of Social Work (RMIT)
  • Graduate Diploma of Leadership (UTAS)
  • Master of Leadership - Health and Human Services (UTAS)

 

UN sustainable development goals

  • 3 Good Health and Well Being
  • 5 Gender Equality
  • 10 Reduced Inequalities
  • 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 13 Climate Action
  • 1 No Poverty

Academic positions

  • Lecturer, Field Education Coordinator MSW
  • RMIT University
  • Social Work and Human Services
  • Melbourne, Australia
  • 1 Jun 2026 – Present
  • Sessional Academic
  • RMIT University
  • Social Work and Human Services
  • Melbourne, Australia
  • 3 Jun 2024 – 31 May 2026

Research interests

  • Social Work Leadership
  • Practitioner health, wellbeing, and professional resilience
  • The importance of lived experience in policy and service development
  • Gendered violence and women’s safety
  • Community development, healthy neighbourhoods and sustainability
  • Social Work Field Education
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures