Dr Aastha Malhotra
| Name | Aastha Malhotra |
|---|---|
| Pronoun | She/Her/Hers |
| Position | Senior Lecturer (Social Work and Human Services) |
| Section | School of Psychology and Wellbeing |
| Office | B343 |
| Location | Ipswich Campus |
| Phone | +61 7 3812 6083 |
| Extension | 6083 |
| Qualifications | MHumServ Qld , PhD Qld |
| Languages |
Hindi (accredited translator)
|
| Homepage |
https://research.usq.edu.au/researcher/81317/dr-aastha-malhotra The views expressed on staff homepages may not reflect the views of the University. |
Dr. Aastha Malhotra specialises in supporting social sector organisations and social enterprises through complex internal and external changes while strengthening their capacity to amplify their impact on individuals and communities. Her expertise lies in transformational leadership, strategic planning, community engagement and impact evaluation.
Grounded in 20+ years of global industry experience—from designing rehabilitation programs in Tihar Jail (Asia’s largest prison) to advancing inclusive employment for people living with HIV in Canada and co-creating entrepreneurial solutions with marginalised multicultural communities in Queensland —her work consistently challenges systemic inequities in social and economic inclusion.
Aastha considers herself a multidisciplinary pracademic (an individual who bridges the worlds of academia and practice) and as a Higher Degree Research Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Human Services, has a track record of seamlessly bridging theory and practice as a senior academic with significant experience in program and curriculum responsibilities, teaching and supervision of HDR students.
A skilled qualitative researcher, Dr. Malhotra’s portfolio includes several externally funded projects through DFAT and the Queensland Government. She also currently leads the Social Innovation and Inclusion theme under UniSQ’s Centre for Health Research’s ‘Health Equity’ stream. This work involves integrating social impact with health and wellbeing outcomes and includes working with marginalised groups such as migrants, refugees and regional, rural and remote communities. She has a particular focus on how participatory approaches for change readiness—from grassroots co-design to cross-sector partnerships—can contribute to sustainable impact. Her award-winning initiatives with migrant and refugee women on digital inclusion for inclusive employment and co-creation of social innovation models for addressing wicked problems reflect her commitment to fostering equity and inclusion.
Please reach out if you would like to have a chat about all things social enterprise, not-for-profit management, leader wellbeing, strategic change, social impact evaluation, migrant and refugee communities and applied research!
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Strategy
( 350799)
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Socio-Economic Development
( 440407)
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Social Program Evaluation
( 440903)
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Not-For-Profit Business And Management
( 350708)
-
Strategy
( 350700)
-
Social Work
( 440900)
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Development Studies
( 440400)
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Social Work not elsewhere classified
( 440999)
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Development Studies not elsewhere classified
( 440499)
Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (Co-Chair of the Public Sector, NGOs, and Not-for-Profit Stream)
Queensland Council of Social Services
Queensland Social Enterprise Council
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Women’s Ethnic Network
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Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR)
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Centre for Health Research (CHR)
https://handbook-guide.unisq.edu.au/course/2024/HSW3220
https://handbook-guide.unisq.edu.au/course/2025/swk2200
https://handbook-guide.unisq.edu.au/course/2024/swm5400
Higher Degree Research Coordinator
-
Strategy
( 350799)
-
Socio-Economic Development
( 440407)
-
Social Program Evaluation
( 440903)
-
Not-For-Profit Business And Management
( 350708)
-
Strategy
( 350700)
-
Social Work
( 440900)
-
Development Studies
( 440400)
-
Social Work not elsewhere classified
( 440999)
-
Development Studies not elsewhere classified
( 440499)