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.