Rate My Professor Brian English

Professor Brian English serves as an Honorary Associate in the College of Human and Social Futures (Social Work) at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He holds a BSW (Hons) and a PhD from the University of New South Wales, with qualifications in social work, sociology, industrial relations, and social demography. His research interests focus on measuring broad social movements, particularly patterns of marriage and family formation and dissolution, as well as workforce issues, using social demographic approaches to model social processes. Following graduation, he began his career at the University of New South Wales Family Research Unit in 1972 as a research officer.

As Foundation Professor of Social Work at the University of Newcastle from around 1990, English established the Bachelor of Social Work degree program, which attracted far more applications than the initial quota of 30 students. He led the development of an innovative integrated and experience-based learning model, pioneering problem-based learning in Australian social work education, incorporating interdisciplinary elements from psychology, sociology, law, history, and philosophy. He advanced to Head of Department, Dean, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, overseeing faculties, strategic planning, quality assurance, equity, and diversity until retiring from administrative roles in 2005. English has held leadership positions in the Australian Community Workers Association as Branch President and National Director. He currently chairs the Governing Council of the Southern Cross Institute, drawing on his expertise in program development, accreditation, and quality reviews in tertiary education. Key publications include 'Farm health and safety in rural New South Wales' (1994) and contributions to 'An integrated and experience-based approach to social work education: The Newcastle model.'