Professor Ruth Phillips
BSW Honours Coordinator
Before commencing her PhD at the University of New South Wales, Ruth was the principal policy officer in the Western Australia Department for Community Services (now Department for Community Development). Prior to that, she had worked in a range of policy positions in the WA state government. Since 2002, Ruth has been teaching full time at the University of Sydney in the undergraduate and postgraduate social work and social policy courses. She is the recipient of the SUPRA supervisor of the year in 2020 and 2023 and currently supervises a range of PhD students, in areas as diverse as:
Social structures, inequalities and social justice
- Social change
- Postcolonial feminist theory
Social work and social policy
- Social policy
- Third sector research
Ruth teaches the follwoing units in the Bachelor of Social Work Program:
SCWK3007 Social Justice, Social Citizenship and Social Work
SCWK4004 Ageing
SCWK5007 Social Perspectives on Ageing
SCWK4008 Honours Dissertation
Master of Public Policy - Social Policy Stream
SCWK6949 Global Social Policy
- 2005 Are Australian NGOs Democratic Organisations?
- 2005 Project Title: An Audit of Contemporary Applications of Feminist Approaches and Frameworks in Social Work Education in Australia
- 2006 Project Title: Conducting the Australian research which is to provide an overview and some insight on how Australian mining companies and related institutions/organisations as well as NGOs have been involved in: the 'formation' process leading to the global Mining, Minerals and Sustainability Development (MMSD) process; and what happened after the MMSD process was finished. For the Social Science Research Centre (WBZ), Berlin, Germany
- 2007-08 Project Title: CDC PLUS - SOCIAL WELFARE: THEORIES AND CONCEPTS, Involved researching the needs of newly recruited Indigenous Caseworkers in the Department of Community Services, NSW and delivering a pilot workshop in April, 2008
- 2009 Researching for Change: Profiling Social Policy Research in human services NGOs
- 2008 Research Fellowship - Japan - Study of Feminist and Domestic Violence Policy in Japan
- Research Project Title:Social Policy Research in Human Service NGOs in AustraliaThe aim of the first phase of this research project is to gain an understanding of the current capacity to produce and disseminate social science research within human service NGOs in Australia. This is the first stage of a bigger research project that is primarily driven by a question about the influence or impact of research conducted by human service NGOs on social policy at both the state and federal levels of government in Australia.
- Understanding Gender Equality and the Influence of Feminism in Women's NGOs: A Global Study This is a study that is implementing a global survey of women's NGOs through out the world. It will be conducted over a 7 month period between September 2011 and March 2012. Research QuestionsAlthough the survey is comprised of 16 short questions there are two research questions it was designed to build knowledge around. These are: How is gender equality understood from the perspectives of women's NGOs? What types of feminism are recognised as influencing the work of women's NGOs in the global context?
- Microfinance as a push factor for Human Trafficking in Cambodia project (2017-2018)
- Messages from the Frontline
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2009- Editor, Third Sector Review- Australia’s only third sector journal – published by Australian, New Zealand Third Sector Research, biannual.
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Editorial Board Member: Asian Social Work and Policy Review - International Journal, Blackwell Publications, Editorial Base, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
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Treasurer- Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Educators
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Member, Executive Committee - Australian and New Zealand Society for Third Sector Research 2009 -
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President Elect & Exectuive Board Member 2017-2018 International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR)
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President, ISTR 2019-2020, International Society for Third Sector Research
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Member, Academics Stand Against Poverty - Oceania Branch 2017 -
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President, ISTR 2019-2020
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1998-2001 Australian Postgraduate Award administered through the University of NSW
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2008 AASWWE Writing Prize for Best paper published in the Journal Advances in Social Work Education in the period 2006-2007
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2005 Faculty of Education and Social Work Teaching Excellence Award
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Invited panel member 'Global Food Crisis: The Price of Hunger' at the Humanitarian 2022 Congress – Feminist theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaITgpKqI9w
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SUPRA supervisor of the year in 2020 and 2023
Project title | Research student |
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An exploration of the lived experiences of ethnically marginalised men of colour who use family violence. | Rakan AL-OMARI |
Analysing Higher Education Policy in Cambodia: ‘What’s the problem represented to be ’ in the Higher Education Improvement Project (2018-2025) | Vileak HENG |
Gender inequality in sport in Pakistan: An exploration of the experiences of elite female athletes in Pakistan | Anmol RASHEED |
Governing adolescent girls’ sexuality in Indonesia: From anti-sexual-violence activism to policy reforms and social change | Ayu SIANTORO |
From Solidarity to Social Protection: Localized Collective Community Actions Calling the State to Account | Holy Glora Saragie Sijabat SIJABAT |
Selected publications
Publications
Books
- Phillips, R. (2023). Practising feminism for social welfare: A global perspective. UK: Routledge. [More Information]
- Fawcett, B., Goodwin, S., Meagher, G., Phillips, R. (2009). Social Policy for Social Change. Australia: Palgrave Macmillan.
Edited Books
- Phillips, R. (2007). Generational Change and Social Policy Challenges: Australia and South Korea. Sydney: Sydney University Press.
Book Chapters
- Phillips, R., Mason, G., Davy, D. (2025). Civil society and poverty: Contextual challenges in Cambodia. In A. Ogawa & A. Spires (Eds.), Varieties of civil society across Asia, (pp. 167-179). London and New York: Routledge. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2025). Feminist research: applying a postcolonial feminist lens. Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work, (pp. 99-109). United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Phillips, R. (2024). Feminism, politics, and social work. In Noble, C., Rasool, S., Harms-Smith, L., Munoz-Arce, G., Baines, D. (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of feminisms in Social Work, (pp. 111-122). Online: Routledge (Taylor and Francis). [More Information]
Journals
- Phillips, R., Heward-Belle, S. (2023). Exploring the role of frontline domestic and family violence "advocate-providers": Can they be part of the national policy process in Australia? Journal of Policy Practice and Research, Online first. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2023). Sally Power (ed): Civil society through the lifecourse. Bristol University Press, Bristol, United Kingdom, 2022 (book review). Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 34, 891-892. [More Information]
- Hamano, T., Funaki, S., Phillips, R. (2023). The location of migrants' political culture: A large-scale survey-based study of the Japanese community in contemporary Australia. Japanese Studies, Online first. [More Information]
Conferences
- Phillips, R., Goodwin, S. (2010). Social Policy Research in Human Service NGOs. Facing Crises: Challenges and Opportunities Confronting the Third Sector and Civil Society. ISTR 9th International Conference, http://www.istr.org/conference/istanbul/WorkingPapers/index1118.htm: ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) - Based at John Hoplins University.
- Phillips, R. (2008). NGOs in a Sustainable Relationship for Sustainable Mining? : The Australian Perspective on What Happened after the MMSD Initiative. ISTR 8th International Conference and 2nd EMES-ISTR European Conference in partnership with CINEFOGO "The Third Sector and Sustainable Social Change: New Frontiers for Research" July 9-12, 2008, Online- ISTR, John Hopkins University: ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) - Based at John Hoplins University.
- Kendig, H., Phillips, R. (2008). Policy Challenges for an Ageing Australia. To Establish the Asian Sociology: Current Status and Prospects of Sociology in Asia 50th Anniversary Symposium, Japan: Rikkyo University.
Report
- Phillips, R. (2003). It's an Issue of Responsibilities and Rights, Not Violence Versus Discipline.
Research Reports
- Phillips, R. (2018). Australia, Poverty, and the Sustainable Development Goals: A response to what the Australian Government writes about Poverty in its 'Report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals': Chapter 8 Social Policy, (pp. 48 - 52). Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong. [More Information]
2025
- Phillips, R., Mason, G., Davy, D. (2025). Civil society and poverty: Contextual challenges in Cambodia. In A. Ogawa & A. Spires (Eds.), Varieties of civil society across Asia, (pp. 167-179). London and New York: Routledge. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2025). Feminist research: applying a postcolonial feminist lens. Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work, (pp. 99-109). United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.
2024
- Phillips, R. (2024). Feminism, politics, and social work. In Noble, C., Rasool, S., Harms-Smith, L., Munoz-Arce, G., Baines, D. (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of feminisms in Social Work, (pp. 111-122). Online: Routledge (Taylor and Francis). [More Information]
2023
- Phillips, R., Heward-Belle, S. (2023). Exploring the role of frontline domestic and family violence "advocate-providers": Can they be part of the national policy process in Australia? Journal of Policy Practice and Research, Online first. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2023). Practising feminism for social welfare: A global perspective. UK: Routledge. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2023). Sally Power (ed): Civil society through the lifecourse. Bristol University Press, Bristol, United Kingdom, 2022 (book review). Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 34, 891-892. [More Information]
2022
- Phillips, R. (2022). Sally Power (ed): Civil Society Through the Lifecourse [book review]. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. [More Information]
- Phillips, R., Davy, D. (2022). Transnational neoliberalism in Asian civil society: Microfinance and poverty in Cambodia. In S. Avenell & A. Ogawa (Eds.), Transnational civil society in Asia: The potential of grassroots regionalization, (pp. 125-142). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. [More Information]
2021
- Funaki, S., Hamano, T., Phillips, R. (2021). Multiculturalism and social cohesion: A Japanese community's perceptions of "being Australian". Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 15(1), 67-79. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2021). On 'Being Australian': Korean Migrants in 'Post-Multicultural' Australia. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 13(1), 28-45. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2021). Transnational neoliberalism in Asian civil society: Microfinance and poverty in Cambodia. In S. Avenell & A. Ogawa (Eds.), Transnational civil society in Asia: The potential of grassroots regionalization, (pp. 125-142). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
2020
- Phillips, R. (2020). Philippe Eynaud, Jean-louis Laville, Luciane Lucas dos Santos, Swati Banjeree, Flor Avelino and Lars Hulgard (eds.), Theory of social enterprise and pluralism, social movements, solidarity economy and the global south (book review). Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. [More Information]
2019
- Phillips, R. (2019). Empowerment and control in the Australian welfare state: A critical analysis of Australian policy since 1972 (book review). Australian Social Work. [More Information]
- Cree, V., Phillips, R. (2019). Feminist contributions to critical social work. In Stephen A. Webb (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Critical Social Work, (pp. 126-136). Oxon: Routledge. [More Information]
- Phillips, R., Guthrie, R. (2019). Rights to protection and the state: the Australian Government's National Plan to reduce violence against women and children and victim's justice. Australian Journal of Political Science, 54(1), 1-17. [More Information]
2018
- Phillips, R. (2018). Australia, Poverty, and the Sustainable Development Goals: A response to what the Australian Government writes about Poverty in its 'Report on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals': Chapter 8 Social Policy, (pp. 48 - 52). Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2018). Emancipatory social work with older people: Challenging students to overcome the limitations of ageism and institutional oppression. Social Work and Policy Studies: Social Justice, Practice and Theory, 1(1), 1-23. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2018). The Third Sector. In Not known (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Civil Society in Asia, (pp. 362-375). TBC. [More Information]
2017
- Phillips, R. (2017). Women's poverty: Risks and experiences of poverty for Australian women. In Klaus Serr (Eds.), Thinking about poverty (4th ed.), (pp. 137-147). Annandale: Federation Press.
2016
- Phillips, R. (2016). 'Empowerment' as women's emancipation? A global analysis of the empowerment paradigm and the influence of feminism in women's NGOs. In Christina Schwabenland, Chris Lange, Jenny Onyx and Sachiko Nakagawa (Eds.), Women's emancipation and civil society organisations: Challenging or maintaining the status quo?, (pp. 21-45). Bristol: Policy Press. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2016). Feminisms in Social Work Research: Promise and Possibilities for Justice-based Knowledge (book review). Australian Social Work, 69(3), 381-383. [More Information]
2015
- Phillips, R. (2015). Feminist Research and Social Work. In James D. Wright (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, (pp. 935-941). Amsterdam: Elsevier. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2015). How 'empowerment' may miss its mark: Gender equality policies and how they are understood in women's NGOs. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 26(4), 1122-1142. [More Information]
- Goodwin, S., Phillips, R. (2015). Policy capacity in the community sector. In Brian Head, Kate Crowley (Eds.), Policy Analysis in Australia, (pp. 245-258). Bristol: Policy Press. [More Information]
2014
- Toole, M., Dibley, M., Phillips, R., Negin, J., Hilton, B. (2014). Reconnecting food security and nutrition. Development Bulletin, 76, 66-71.
- Phillips, R., Goodwin, S. (2014). Third Sector social policy research in Australia: New actors, new politics. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 25(3), 565-584. [More Information]
- Phillips, R., Cree, V. (2014). What does the 'fourth wave' mean for teaching feminism in twenty-first century social work? Social Work Education, 33(7), 930-943. [More Information]
2013
- Phillips, R., Jung, Y. (2013). The Clash between Social Policy and Traditional Values: Unmet Welfare Needs Sustained by the Culture of Familism in South Korea. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 7(1), 18-27. [More Information]
2012
- Phillips, R. (2012). Non-government Organisations in a Sustainable Relationship for Sustainable Mining? The Australian NGO Perspective on what happened after the MMSD initiative. Third Sector Review, 18(1), 171-193. [More Information]
2011
- Fawcett, B., Goodwin, S., Phillips, R. (2011). Challenges and Futures for Social Work and Social Policy Research Methods. In Markauskaite L, Freebody P, Irwin J (Eds.), Methodological Choice and Design: Scholarship, Policy and Practice in Social and Educational Research, (pp. 267-276). New York: Springer. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2011). Postcolonial Scholarship in Social Justice Research. In Markauskaite L, Freebody P, Irwin J (Eds.), Methodological Choice and Design: Scholarship, Policy and Practice in Social and Educational Research, (pp. 157-166). New York: Springer. [More Information]
2010
- Phillips, R. (2010). Akihiro Ogawa: The Failure of Civil Society? The Third Sector and the State in Contemporary Japan. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 21(March), 126-127.
- Phillips, R., Goodwin, S. (2010). Social Policy Research in Human Service NGOs. Facing Crises: Challenges and Opportunities Confronting the Third Sector and Civil Society. ISTR 9th International Conference, http://www.istr.org/conference/istanbul/WorkingPapers/index1118.htm: ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) - Based at John Hoplins University.
- Phillips, R. (2010). Social-Policy Research in Human-Service Non-Government Organisations in Australia: Towards a Theorisation. Third Sector Review, 16(3), 7-24. [More Information]
2009
- Phillips, R. (2009). Food security and women's health: A feminist perspective for international social work. International Social Work, 52(4), 485-498. [More Information]
- Fawcett, B., Goodwin, S., Meagher, G., Phillips, R. (2009). Social Policy for Social Change. Australia: Palgrave Macmillan.
2008
- Phillips, R. (2008). Feminism(s) and domestic violence within national policy contexts. In Not known (Eds.), Addressing Violence, Abuse and Oppression: Debates and Challenges, (pp. 57-66). TBC. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2008). Feminism, Policy and Women's Safety During Australia's 'War on Terror'. Feminist Review, 89(2), 55-72. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2008). NGOs in a Sustainable Relationship for Sustainable Mining? : The Australian Perspective on What Happened after the MMSD Initiative. ISTR 8th International Conference and 2nd EMES-ISTR European Conference in partnership with CINEFOGO "The Third Sector and Sustainable Social Change: New Frontiers for Research" July 9-12, 2008, Online- ISTR, John Hopkins University: ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) - Based at John Hoplins University.
2007
- Phillips, R. (2007). Diverse Histories, Shared Social Issues: The Australian and Korean Welfare States. In Ruth Phillips (Eds.), Generational Change and Social Policy Challenges: Australia and South Korea, (pp. 1-32). Sydney: Sydney University Press.
- Phillips, R. (2007). Generational Change and Social Policy Challenges: Australia and South Korea. Sydney: Sydney University Press.
- Kendig, H., Phillips, R. (2007). Health, Economic and Policy Implications of an Ageing Australia. In Ruth Phillips (Eds.), Generational Change and Social Policy Challenges: Australia and South Korea, (pp. 164-191). Sydney: Sydney University Press.
2006
- Phillips, R. (2006). Favour and Influence in a Time of Exclusion: favoured NGOs under the Howard Government, Implications for Advocacy and Democracy. ANZTSR Conference University of South Australia.
- Phillips, R. (2006). The role of nonprofit advocacy organizations in Australian democracy and policy governance. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 17(1), 59-75. [More Information]
- Phillips, R. (2006). Undoing an activist response: feminism and the Australian government's domestic violence policy. Critical Social Policy, 26(1), 192-219. [More Information]
2005
- Phillips, R. (2005). Australian NGOs: Current Experiences of Corporate Citizenship. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 17, 21-25.
- Phillips, R. (2005). Australian Social Policy, History and Practice: What Does it Offer South Korean Welfare Through Policy Transfer? The 18th Pacific Social Work Conference, Challenges and Responses of Social Work: Towards New Asia-Pacific Paradigms.
- Phillips, R. (2005). Challenges to NGOs' Legitimacy in Policy Governance in Australia: Addressing the Neo-Liberal Critique. 2004 ISTR - Sixth International Society for ThirdSector Research: ''Contesting Citizenship and Civil Society in a Divided World'', Toronto, Canada: ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) - Based at John Hoplins University.
2004
- Phillips, R. (2004). Critique, Reflection and Exploration: Democracy, Governance and the Role of NGOs. Australia New Zealand Third Sector Research Conference, "Building bridges and strengthening bonds: Broadening our understanding of Third Sector across regions and diversity.".
- Phillips, R. (2004). Democracy, Advocacy And Critique: The Search For Civil Approaches For Community Development. Community Development Human Rights and the Grassroots, Geelong, Victoria: Deakin University.
- Phillips, R. (2004). From Waves Of Action To The 'Dead Calm' - Responses Violence Against Women In The New Millenium. Women in Welfare Education, 7(1), 17-32.
2003
- Phillips, R. (2003). Confronting corporate citizenship: NGOs and the new-wave advocacy of corporate engagement. Cultural Citizenship: Challenges of Globalisation, Victoria, AUS: Deakin University.
- Phillips, R. (2003). Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Power: Outside Stakeholder's Perspectives. Corporate Citizen: the journal of company involvement in the community, 3(1), 10-19.
- Phillips, R. (2003). Global Social Policy Perspectives in Social Work Education. Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Educators (AASWWE) National Conference.
2002
- Phillips, R. (2002). Book Review: "Protest. Policy and the Problem of Violence Against Women, A Cross-National Comparison". Laurel Weldon. Women in Welfare Education, 5(September 2002).
- Phillips, R. (2002). Confrontation to partnership: corporations and NGOs. In Goodman J (Eds.), Protest and globalisation : prospects for transnational solidarity, (pp. 154-169). Sydney: Pluto Press.
- Phillips, R. (2002). Is Corporate Engagement an Advocacy Strategy for NGOs? The Community Aid Abroad Experience. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 13(2), 123-137.
2001
- Phillips, R. (2001). Engagement or Confrontation? In Geoff Evans, James Goodman & Nina Lansbury (Eds.), Moving Mountains: Communities Confront Mining and Globalization, (pp. 205-218). United Kingdom: Zed Books Ltd.
2000
- Phillips, R. (2000). The Rise of Corporate Citizenship and Its implications for New Governance From Global to Domestic Influences. Civilising the State Research Refereed Conference Proceedings, Australia (electronic): Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights, Deakin University.
Selected Grants
2023
- The dignity by design project: survivor-led system redesign, Heward-Belle S, Cashmore J, Chung D, Shackel R, Phillips R, Luu B, The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse/Research
2021
- Safer children, safer communities: enhancing perpetrator accountability to disrupt trajectories of childhood harm, Heward-Belle S, Goodwin S, Phillips R, Ravulo J, Mc Veigh M, Westpac Banking Corporation/Research Grant