Jennifer Rowan reflects on her NCFH student placement

Using evidence to influence action on farmer health

In this series, find out how our team at the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) translates research in agriculture, health, behavioural and social sciences into practical and impactful programs and services that support farmer health, wellbeing and safety across Australia.

Education is a key focus for the NCFH and we recognise the importance of putting theory into practice.

That’s why we regularly offer students the opportunity to work with our team for a placement, research or clinical training.

Jennifer Rowan is a fourth-year social work student at Deakin University who recently completed a student placement at the NCFH, where she wrote a literature review on the Tackling the Tough Topics guide.

Throughout her placement, Jen worked closely with our team in Hamilton and she shares some of the highlights from her time with us and next steps in her career in the short video below.

Q&A: Masters of Social Work student placement

In the following testimonial, a Wimmera-based Deakin University Master of Social Work student reflects on her final Professional Practice Placement at the NCFH.

This placement was the second of two 500-hour, 65-day placements I completed as part of my degree. With a background in rural secondary school teaching, I came to social work wanting to acquire the knowledge and skills I needed to help address human rights and social justice issues in rural communities. My focus was on doing this in a rural mental health context.

Why did you choose the NCFH for your student placement?

The reason I chose the NCFH for my placement was that I wanted to learn how to become a researcher. I wanted to learn how to conduct research that can be put into action and help rural communities. The NCFH has an excellent reputation in this regard, so I knew this was the right place for me. The staff and researchers were amazing in sharing their knowledge, ideas and perspectives as I carried out my research project (a systematic review of literature) in what was a truly dynamic, welcoming working environment.

What was a highlight of your time with the NCFH?

Apart from my visits to the NCFH in Hamilton, the highlight of my placement was seeing how the NCFH’s research was put into action. The range of evidence-based programs the NCFH have developed and rolled out to help rural communities is amazing, and there is always more to do in this space.

What are the next steps for your career?

Based on my experiences at the NCFH, when I finish my placement, I am looking to further my career as a researcher. The ability to apply a social work lens to research problems is something I greatly enjoy, and I hope to be able to contribute to improving the lives of rural communities by doing this in future.

Find out more about our student placements