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Professor Robert Bland AM

Robert is a social worker with extensive experience in hospital and community settings, administration, teaching and research. 

A foremost social work authority, Robert is well-known throughout the country as a pioneer and leader in the mental health field, having worked in mental health and academic settings since 1972.

His appointments include the Queensland Health Chair of Mental Health at the University of Queensland, a joint appointment with Queensland Health; and life member of ARAFMI. 

Robert’s areas of interest are in research and teaching, with a focus on mental illness and social work practice. Robert recently retired from his position as the Professor of Social Work at the Australian Catholic University. 

One of his long-standing, primary interests has been the welfare of family caregivers in coping with long-term mental illness. Robert’s research highlights the importance of hope in the experience of mental illness and process of recovery.