Rate My Professor Amanda Smith

Amanda Smith is a Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University, part of Griffith Health. She has held this position since at least 2017 and is pursuing a PhD in Allied Health Sciences at Griffith University Griffith Health since 2020. Smith's research specializations include bush adventure therapy, trauma-informed practice, health promotion, and Outdoor Healthcare. Her academic interests focus on expanding and integrating Outdoor Healthcare and Bush Adventure Therapy into social work practice and education. She contributes to initiatives such as the Bush Adventure Therapy program in the School of Human Services and Social Work, emphasizing nature-based solutions for social work students and practice.

Amanda Smith has co-authored key publications advancing nature-based interventions in social work. These include 'Psychosocial Interventions Situated Within the Natural Environment: Promise for Enhancing Protective Factors in Child Welfare Involved Families' published in the British Journal of Social Work in 2021; 'Nature-based interventions in social work practice and education: Emerging themes from an integrative literature review' in International Social Work in 2023; and 'Outdoor health and nature-based solutions: research, practice and policy for planetary health' in 2024. Professionally, she serves as the staff representative for the Health group on the Griffith Pride Committee, is associated with the Arts-Health Lab, and participates in events like World Social Work Day green team activities. Smith is the International Representative for Outdoor Health Australia and the Australian Representative for the International Adventure and Nature Therapy. She convenes the course Human Services Processes (1007HSV) and is contactable at the Gold Coast campus.