Jacques Boulet has studied, worked, and lived in five continents. Originally from Flemish Belgium, studies social work, graduating in 1965; after 3 years volunteering in Community Development in Congo, lectured in social work and community development in Germany throughout the 70s, especially active in social work curriculum development. Obtained PhDs (Sociology and Social Work) from the University of Michigan (80-85) and lectured from 1985 to 1996 at Melbourne and RMIT Universities in Australia. Started the Borderlands Cooperative in 1997 and is involved in consulting work in a broad range of research projects in social and community issues and continues to be a casual lecturer/researcher at several local and overseas universities and Adjunct Professor at Deakin University. Editor of the only Community Development journal in Australia (New Community) appearing with interruptions since 1983, he has published widely and across the entire spectrum of social work content, some of his works translated in several other languages.
Linette Hawkins’ experience as a practitioner, planner, project worker and educator has spanned social work, welfare studies and community and international development. Her employers have included state and commonwealth governments, universities and non-government organizations. The participatory action research approach has guided her research with others in areas such as, the labour market and education for professional expertise in community and human services and innovative field education models. Organizations in which she is involved include Action Research Issues Association (ARIA), Australian Association of Social Work (AASW), Borderlands Cooperative, International Association of Community Development (IACD) and New Community Quarterly Management Committee.