Rate My Professor Nicola Atwool

Nicola Atwool is an Associate Professor in the Social and Community Work programme, Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work, at the University of Otago. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Otago in 2008, with her doctoral thesis titled "Who cares?: the role of attachment assessments in decision-making for children in care." This work laid the foundation for her extensive research career focused on child welfare and protection systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Atwool has supervised numerous postgraduate theses in social work and related disciplines, contributing to the training of the next generation of practitioners and researchers. Her academic appointments at the University of Otago include roles within the Social and Community Work programme, where she is listed in official department contacts.

Atwool's research specializations encompass attachment theory, child protection, resilience in children in foster care, trauma-informed practice, birth family contact, transitions from care, and intensive family interventions in bi- and multi-cultural contexts. She has published extensively in international peer-reviewed journals, influencing child welfare policy and practice. Key publications include "Intensive intervention with families experiencing multiple and complex challenges: An alternative to child removal in a bi- and multi-cultural context?" (Child & Family Social Work, 2021), "Transition from care: Are we continuing to set care leavers up to fail in New Zealand?" (2020), "Care and protection/family violence: Aotearoa New Zealand" (2020), "Child-Centred Practice in a Bi- and Multi-Cultural Context: Challenges and Dilemmas" (2019), "Challenges of operationalizing trauma-informed practice in child protection services in New Zealand" (2018), "Life Story Work: Optional Extra or Fundamental Entitlement?" (2016), "Birth Family Contact for Children in Care: How Much? How Often? Who With?" (2013), "Child protection and out of home care: Policy, practice, and research connections Australia and New Zealand" (2013), "Attachment and Resilience: Implications for Children in Care" (Child Care in Practice, 2006), and "Participation in Decision-Making: The Experience of New Zealand Children in Care" (Child Care in Practice, 2006). Additional contributions include book chapters such as "Children and vulnerability" in Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Her scholarship bridges research, policy, and practice, emphasizing child-centered approaches in diverse cultural settings.