Susan Hillock

Full Professor and Faculty Member for the Department of Social Work and Department of Graduate Studies in Education,
Trent University at Durham, Oshawa, Ontario.

Educational Background

• PhD (Social Work Education) Memorial University of Newfoundland
• MEd (Adult Education) University of New Brunswick
• BSW Saint Thomas University, NB
• BA (English and History) Mount Allison University, NB

General Background

Susan has worked in social work for over 30 years. She has primarily worked with adult and children assault survivors, families coping with chronic emotional, health, and palliative care issues, people experiencing loss and grief, adolescents and families involved in the corrections' system, and caregivers. Her clinical experience has included work in probation, victim/witness programs, child protection, physical/emotional rehabilitation, hospital social work, and palliative care. She has also provided professional training, supervision, and consultation for over 30 years in the fields of adult education, team assessment/ building, and community mental health. At BSW and MSW levels, and in field instruction and social activism, her education and practice methods stem from feminist, critical theory, structural, queer, and anti-oppressive frameworks.

Teaching and Research Interests

• Exploring equality and social justice
• Promoting social change and ending violence
• Studying how privilege and experiences of oppression play out in the classroom and in the field
• Developing eco-femagogy- a perspective that centres environmentalism/sustainability and feminist theory, knowledge, and methods
• Building social work theory

Academic Excellence and Awards

• September 15, 2022- Nominated for the 2021-2022 Trent Durham Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence. The Centre for Teaching and Learning, Trent University. This award recognizes the use or development of meaningful and/or innovative methods of curriculum design, course instruction, learning materials and technologies, and/or assessment as well as, honour teaching within a particular course or a teaching project, completed within the previous academic year, that promotes student engagement.  
• May 4, 2022- Received the Trent’s University Award for Education Leadership and Innovation. This award recognizes a sustained commitment over an extended period to the improvement of university teaching and learning.
• January 2019- Received the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association (OCUFA)’s Status of Women and Equity Award of Distinction for outstanding contributions of OCUFA members whose work has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of professors, academic librarians, and/or academic staff who are Indigenous, women, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, living with disabilities and/or belong to other historically marginalized groups.
• March 2018- Nominated for Trent University’s 2018 Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of outstanding teaching and exemplary concern for students.
• 2010- Awarded as a Memorial University of Newfoundland “Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies” for her doctoral research work and academic excellence in the MUN doctoral social work program.

Current Positions

• (2014 - Present) Faculty Member, Trent University, Department of Social Work and Department of Graduates Studies in Education
• (2014-16) Founding Director, Trent University, Department of Social Work. Lead the development and implementation of all aspects, forms, policies, documents, processes, recruitment, hiring, budgeting and allocation, etc., required to launch a new 4 year undergraduate BSW program and field education program.
• (2015) Successfully achieved CASWE pre-accreditation status for Trent's BSW program.
• (2015-Present) Appointed as Faculty Member, Trent University, Graduate Studies and Masters of Education Program.

Peer Reviewed Research Grants

• $8000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Awards to Scholarly Publications Program (ASSP) Grant (2023).
• $3587.67 Trent University's Internal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's Knowledge Mobilization Grant (2023).
• $8000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Awards to Scholarly Publications Program (ASSP) Grant (2020).
• $1500 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s International Travel Grant (2019).
• $1500 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s International Travel Grant (2018)
• $3000 Trent Vice President Research and Innovation Strategic Initiatives Award (2016)
• $1500 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's International Travel Grant (2016).
• $8000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's Awards to Scholarly Publications Program (ASSP) Grant (2016).
• $1600 Trent University Research Publication Award (2016)
• $4000 Trent University Leadership Grant (2014).
• $2000 UBC-Okanagan Internal Research Grants (2011).
• $2000 UBC-Okanagan Internal Research Grants (2009).
• $2000 UBC-Okanagan Internal Research Grants (2007).
• $1500 OUC Internal Research Grants (2004).
• $1500 OUC Internal Research Grants (2002).
• $1500 OUC Internal Research Grants (2000).
• $1000 OUC Grant in Aid (2003).
• $3000 OUC Grant in Aid (2002).
• $2500 OUC Grant in Aid (2001).

Research Post

• Research Associate with the Center for Population and Health Services Research (CPHSR), OUC (2002-2006). 

Competitive Peer Reviewed Doctoral Research Grants

• $3500 Memorial University of Newfoundland's Graduate Studies Scholarship (2004).
• $3000 Canada Women's Doctoral Study Grant (2001).
• $3000 Canada Women's Doctoral Study Grant (2000).

Refereed Journal Publications

• Csiernik, R, Hillock, S., Kimberley, D., & Hardy Cox, D. (2023). Revisiting The First Hundred Years of Social Work Education in Canada: Now What? Journal of Social Work Education (Submitted For Review).
• Hillock, S. (2021). A ton of feathers: Betrayals in academia. The Feminist Wire Books: Connecting Feminisms, Race, and Social Justice. The Feminist Wire (TFW) & University of Arizona Press (In Press).
• Mulé, N. J., Hillock, S., & Craig, S. (2017). Queering Social Work Education Book, Social Work Now: The Journal of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Ontario: OASW
• Wilkin, L. & Hillock, S. (2015). Enhancing MSW Students’ Efficacy in Working with Trauma, Violence, and Oppression: An Integrated Feminist-Trauma Framework for Social Work Education. Feminist Teacher. 24(3). 184-206.
• Hillock, S. (December, 2013). Understanding Oppression: The Use of Metaphor. Critical Social Work. http: // www1.uwindsor.ca/ criticalsocialwork/ 2013 Volume14No2.
• Pecora, K. & Hillock, S. (2013). Rebecca’s story: Family violence interventions and strategies. Kelowna. B.C.: Merlot: Multieducational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching. www.merlot.org. 
• Hillock, S.. Hawken, A., Lewis, A., Kaidannek, S., Robertson, K., & Yurick, T. (2013). Introduction to Feminist Counselling. Kelowna, B.C. Merlot: Multieducational Resouces for Learning and Online Teaching www.merlot.org.
• Hillock, S. (2012). Conceptualizations and Experiences of Oppression: Gender Differences. Afflia. 27(1), 35-47.
• Hillock, S. (2011). Conceptualizing oppression: Resistance narratives for social work. Doctoral thesis. St. John’s: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Hillock , S. & Profitt, N.J. (2007). Developing a practice and andragogy of resistance: Structural praxis inside and outside of the classroom. Canadian Social Work Review. 24 (1). Ottawa: CASSW, 39-54.
• Hillock, S. (2005). Minority sensitive practice. In F. Turner (Ed.). Canadian Encyclopedia of Social Work. Toronto: Wilfred Laurier Press. 241-243.
• Hillock, S. (2005). Radical social work. In F. Turner (Ed.). Canadian Encyclopedia of Social Work. Toronto: Wilfred Laurier Press, 316-317. 

Books Published (Refereed)

• Hillock, S. (2021). Greening Social Work Education: Caring Sustainability. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
• Hillock, S. (2021). Teaching About Sex: Sexuality(ies) in Higher Education. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
• Csiernik, R. & Hillock, S. (2020). Teaching Social Work: Reflections On Pedagogy & Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press .
• Hillock, S. & Mule, N. (2016). Queering Social Work. Toronto: UBC Press.
• Pecora, K. & Hillock, S. (2012). Rebecca’s Story: Family Violence Interventions and Strategies. Merlot: Multi-educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching. www.merlot.org.

Book Chapters (Refereed)

• Hillock, S. (2023). Social Work Education Curriculum Design: Applying A Feminist Informed Trauma Model. In Tufford, L. & Dylan, A.’s Trauma and the Social Work Curriculum- Trauma-informed Care in Social Work Education: Implications for Students, Educators, Pedagogy, and Field (In Press). 
• Hillock, S. (2023). Eco-Femagogy: Transforming Social Work Education In A Post-Covid World. In Noble, C., Harms Smith, L., Rasool, S., & Muñoz-Arce, G.’s Routledge’s International Handbook On Feminisms and Social Work. Routledge (In Press).
• Hillock, S. (2023). Preface and Introduction. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Greening Social Work Education: Caring Sustainability. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (In Press).
• Hillock, S. (2023). Chapter 12: The Red- Green Manifesto For Greening Social Work Education. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Greening Social Work Education: Caring Sustainability. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (In Press).
• Hillock, S. (2023). Appendix A: Greening Social Work Education: Resources. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Greening Social Work Education: Caring Sustainability. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (In Press).
• Hillock, S. (2021). Preface and Introduction. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Teaching About Sex and Sexuality(ies) in Higher Education. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ix-14.
• Hillock, S. (2021). Don’t Ask/ Don’t Tell: Freedom of Speech and Disclosure in the Classroom. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Teaching About Sex and Sexuality(ies) in Higher Education. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 21-35.
• Hillock, S. (2021). Can We Just Stop Faking It? Real Talk About Sex and Sexualities In The Classroom. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Teaching About Sex and Sexuality(ies) in Higher Education. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 301-318.
• Hillock, S. (2021). Appendix C. In Susan Hillock (Ed.). Teaching About Sex and Sexuality(ies) in Higher Education. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 331- 334.
• Csiernik, R. & Hillock, S. (2020). Preface and Introduction. In Rick Csiernik & Susan Hillock (Eds). Teaching Social Work: Reflections On Pedagogy & Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ix-2.
• Csiernik, R. & Hillock, S. (2020). Issues in teaching social work. In Rick Csiernik & Susan Hillock (Eds). Teaching Social Work: Reflections On Pedagogy & Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 3-8.
• Hillock, S. (2020). Femagogy: Centreing feminist knowledge and methods in social work teaching. In Rick Csiernik & Susan Hillock (Eds).. Teaching Social Work: Reflections On Pedagogy & Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 39-55.
• Hillock, S. (2020). Teaching from the margins: No good deed goes unpunished. In Rick Csiernik & Susan Hillock (Eds).. Teaching Social Work: Reflections On Pedagogy & Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 248-264.
• Hillock, S. (2016). Introduction. In S. Hillock & N. Mule. (Eds.). Queering Social Work. Vancouver: UBC Press.
• Hillock, S. (2016). A queer history. In S. Hillock & N. Mule. (Eds.). Queering Social Work. Vancouver: UBC Press.
• Hillock, S. (2016). Queering social work. In S. Hillock & N. Mule. (Eds.). Queering Social Work. Vancouver: UBC Press.

Professional Reports (Refereed)

• Hillock, S. (February 25, 2021). Research and Teaching as Social Action. Sexuality & Social Work: Special Interest Group Blog Series. https://www.sexualityandsocialwork.com/2021/02/sexuality-social-work-res...
• CAUT Strategy and Action Plan Toolkit - Hillock, S. (2019). Action Plan- Raising Awareness of Queer Issues in the Academy (In Press).
• Lead author and editor - 2 CASWE 300 plus pages Pre-accreditation Reports:
• Hillock, S., Earle, D., Doughty, L., & James, J. (November 1, 2015) Trent University Department of Social Work Second CASWE Pre-accreditation Submission.
• Hillock, S., Earle, D., Doughty, L. & Monahan, R. (April, 2015). Trent University Department of Social Work First CASWE Pre-accreditation Submission.

Refereed Journal Article Reviewer

• Engaged Scholar Journal: Community-Engaged Research, Teaching, and Learning. (2021).
  Covert Forms of Resistance: Reimagining Feminist Social Work Praxis in an Increasingly Neoliberal World.
• Canadian Social Work Review. (2021). The Nexus of Privilege and Racism: A Phenomenological Report. CASWE.
• Australian Feminist Studies. (2017). Sexual assault work as trauma work: Interrogating the deployment of trauma as a feminist knowledge/practice in the field of sexual violence (2nd Revision)
• Australian Feminist Studies. (2016). Sexual assault work as trauma work: Interrogating the deployment of trauma as a feminist knowledge/practice in the field of sexual violence (1st Draft).
• Canadian Social Work Review. (2011). Theriault, L, Low, L., & Alison, L. Negotiating the system: Social Workers in Home Support in New Brunswick.
• Canadian Social Work Review. (2008). Wehbi, S. Teaching international social work: A guiding framework (2nd Revision).
• Canadian Social Work Review. (2006). Wehbi, S. Teaching international social work: A guiding framework (1st Draft).

Book Reviews 

• Mullaly, B. & Dupre, M. (2017). The New Structural Social Work (4th Ed.). Toronto: Oxford University Press (Reviewed November 2019, Preparation For Upcoming 5th Edition For Oxford University Press).
• (2019). Heinonen, T. & Spearman, L. (2010). Social Work practice: Problem-solving and beyond (3rd Ed.). Toronto: Nelson (Preparation for new edition).
• Mullaly, B. & Dupre, M. (2017). The New Structural Social Work (4th Ed.). Toronto: Oxford University Press (Reviewed October 2017 for Oxford University Press).
• Payne, M. (2014). Modern Social Work Theory (4th Ed). Chicago: Lyceum Books, Inc. (Reviewed January, 2017 for Oxford University Press).
• Dumbrill, G. & Yee, J. (2014). A Beginner’s Guide to Anti-Oppression: Social Inclusion and Social Justice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (Reviewed November, 2014).
• Marsiglia, Flavio & Kulis, Stephen. (2009). Diversity, Oppression, and Change: Culturally Grounded Social Work. Chicago: Lyceum Books (Reviewed August, 2012).
• Mullaly, Bob. (2009). Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege (2nd Ed.). Toronto: Oxford University Press (Reviewed October, 2012).

Book Proposal Reviewer

• (February, 2022). Trauma-Informed, Resiliency-Based Social Work: A Socio-Environmental Anti-Racist Approach. Canadian Scholars’ Press.
  (January, 2018). Canadian Social Work Ethics. Toronto: Northrose Educational Resources.
• (January, 2018). Canadian Social Work Ethics. Toronto: Northrose Educational Resources.
• Dumbrill, G. & Yee, J. (November, 2014). A Beginner’s Guide to Anti-Oppression: Social Inclusion and Social Justice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Grant Proposal Reviewer for the Canadian Federation of Humanities and Social Sciences:

• December 2015 Review of SSHRC Social Work Grant Proposal

CASWE- ACFTS Congress Abstract Reviewer

• 2015 - 8 different abstract reviews

Refereed International and National Conference Presentations

• (July 18-19, 2023). Incorporating Sex Positivity and Sexuality(ies) into Social Work Teaching. 5th International Sexuality and Social Work Conference: Everyday gender and sexuality: justice, rights and activism in social work and helping professions. Glascow, Scotland.
• November 26- 27, 2020). Don’t Ask/ Don’t Tell: Sexuality(ies), Instructor Self Disclosure, and Trigger Warnings in the Classroom.3rd Annual International Online Sexuality and Social Work Conference. Mumbai, India. https://www.sexualityandsocialwork.com
• (November 26- 27, 2020). Can We Just Stop Faking It: Real Talk About Sex and Sexualities In The Classroom.3rd Annual International Online Sexuality and Social Work Conference. Mumbai, India. https://www.sexualityandsocialwork.com
• EKeynote National Address. (September 24, 2020). Queering Teaching & Advising. Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC).
• https://ryerson.zoom.us/rec/share/ff2X2DJwfmF4-ZFp6gz_YrArfro-xFT9fDsygt...
• (February 25-26, 2019). Teaching from the margins: Scholarship regarding resistance, backlash, and transformation. 3rd Annual Conference on Academic Research in Education (CARE). Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
• (January 4-7, 2018). Revisioning the field trip: Social action and higher education. 16th Annual International Conference in Education. Honolulu, Hawaii.
• (June 2016). Shadow Work: Uncovering Social Work in Palliative Care.The 8th International Conference of Social Work Health and Mental Health. Singapore.
• (June 2016). Queering Social Work. CASWE Conference. Calgary.
• (May 2012) Technology Crossroads: Dinosaurs at the Helm? CASWE Conference. Kitchener Waterloo.
• (Sept.29 & 30, 2006) The Challenge of Creating Anti-oppressive Classrooms. Ryerson University School of Social Work’s Structural Social Work Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
• (Nov. 20-23, 2003). Creating Classrooms as Sites of Resistance. World Education Conference. University of Victoria., Victoria, B.C.

Provincial Conference Presentations

• (March 7, 2017) Women's rights are human rights. Tampon Tuesday. Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre in partnership with The United Way. Peterborough, Ontario.
• (February 27, 2017). Women and Girls Empowerment: International Activism. Canada's 150 Trent University Moderated Panel Discussion. Canadian Museum of History in partnership with Trent's School of Study of Canada, the Community for Trent Women, and The Canadian Difference Project. Ottawa, Ontario.
• (May 11, 2016). Social Work and Social Justice in Palliative Care. Trent/Fleming School of Nursing's Nurses Many Faces of Social Justice Research Matters Summit. Peterborough, Ontario.
• (May 11, 2016). Queering Social Work as Social Justice.  Trent/Fleming School of Nursing's Nurses Many Faces of Social Justice Research Matters Summit.  Peterborough, Ontario.
• (March 2016). Queering Higher Education. Queer Collisions' Conference. Peterborough, Ontario.
• (May 7 and 8, 2014). Using Technology And Innovation To Make Assignments Matter.10th Annual Learning Conference, Reflecting on Scholarly Approaches, UBC Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, B. C. (accepted).
• (November 8, 2013). Keynote Speaker. Queering the Front-line: Diversity in Practice. ARC Programs Ltd. B.C. Interior Regional Training Day, Naramata, B.C.
• (April 23, 2014). Keynote Speaker. Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation Strategies. Ogopogo Rotary Club, Kelowna, B.C.
• (June 26, 2013). Keynote Speaker. Diversity and Community: Challenges To Volunteer Recruitment. Ogopogo Rotary Club, Kelowna, B.C.
• (Oct. 20, 2010). A Ton of Feathers in a Chilly Climate: Doctoral Reflections. Panel Presentation on Gender Equity at UBC-O: Social Justice and Leadership. UBC-O Faculty Association.
• (March 27, 2009). Teaching the Elderly: Gifts and Challenges. 4th Annual Interior Health Association Research Conference. Kelowna, B.C. Keynote Speaker. 
• (April 26, 2006). Powering Over: Local Behaviors and Global Oppression. Penticton & Area Women’s Center’s Annual Conference.
• (May, 4 & 5, 2006). Dismantling the Boundaries Between Teachers and Learners. UBC-O 2nd Annual Learning Conference. Kelowna, B.C.
• (May 14, 2005). Setting the Stage to Maximize Learner- Centered Outcomes. UBC-O Learning Conference, From the Inside Out. Kelowna, B.C.
• (March 28, 2003). Social Work In the Emergency: Making The Case. Okanagan University College (OUC) BSW 4th Annual Research Conference. Kelowna, B.C. Resistance to Oppression. OUC BSW Third Annual Research Conference. February 15, 2002.