Dr Patricia Bonello, a full-time lecturer with the Department of Social Policy and Social Work, within the Faculty for Social Well Being, has recently received the award for Promoting Best Practice from the Maltese Association of Social Workers on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Dr Bonello joined the University in January of this year after having worked for over 25 years in the social work field.
Her areas of practice have mainly been disability, domestic violence and children in alternative care and she has occupied various roles which included frontline social work, supervision and management, both within state and non-governmental organisations. In 2012, she obtained her Doctorate in Social Sciences from the University College, Cork after conducting a study on social workers’ identification with their profession. In her role of lecturer, Dr Bonello is combining her extensive experience with her academic knowledge to make a contribution to the professional preparation of social work and social policy students.