About us

About Naturally Gifted
Research and Associates

Naturally Gifted Research and Associates brings together educators, researchers and practitioners to support education providers. Our work spans curriculum and course development, accreditation and approval support, research, professional learning, and IT solutions. We connect academic knowledge with practical experience to meet each client’s needs.

Managing Director

Professor Rob Townsend

PhD · Master of Education · Bachelor of Social Work

Professor Rob Townsend is Managing Director of Naturally Gifted Research and Associates and Chair of Social Work at Alliance Higher Education Institute and Lincoln Institute of Higher Education. His work spans curriculum development, academic advisory services, social work accreditation and research supervision. He holds a PhD, a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Social Work. His research interests include adult education, community diversity, trauma-informed practice and arts-based therapies, connecting academic research with professional education and community practice.

Our team

Meet our people.

Social work, course development and educational leadership

Shane Dang

Master of International Social Development · Bachelor of Social Work

Shane Dang brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across social work, community development, education and humanitarian organisations, including UNHCR, Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He holds a Master of International Social Development and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales, alongside qualifications in management, community services, training and assessment. His experience includes college executive leadership, lecturing, curriculum development, quality and compliance, mental health casework and crisis intervention. He is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Social work education and curriculum development

Tara Lees

PhD candidate · Monash University

Tara Lees is a PhD candidate in the Department of Social Work at Monash University, researching how neoliberalism shapes gender-based violence. She brings extensive social work experience across family violence, health and child protection, alongside expertise in curriculum development. Her educational work connects critical theory, professional practice and academic standards to support social work and human services education. She is particularly interested in how structural and critical perspectives can deepen understanding of social problems and inform professional responses.

Community engagement, applied ethics and the arts

Joseph Quilter

BA (Hons) · MA (Professional Ethics) · MA (Research) · PhD candidate

Joseph Quilter brings experience in community and social services, teaching, research and the arts. He holds qualifications in fine art, philosophy, professional ethics and cultural research, and is completing his PhD. His professional work spans case management and leadership with asylum seekers, people experiencing homelessness, young people, disability services, Indigenous communities, and domestic and community violence. Through his own business, he designs and facilitates community engagement and development projects, combining arts practice with applied ethics and experience in human services.

Human services education and workforce development

Victor Milostnik

Educator · Lecturer · Placement supervisor

Victor Milostnik is an educator, lecturer, facilitator, placement supervisor and human services consultant with more than 20 years of experience across education, human services, legal and government settings. His expertise includes tertiary education, vocational training, workforce development, governance, compliance and community service delivery. He develops and delivers training in welfare law, social sciences and community work, and supports students through mentoring and placement supervision. His approach is culturally responsive and collaborative, with a focus on professional capability and participation in education and employment.

Counselling and social work education

Diana Kushemererwa

Master of Counselling · MPhil in Public Administration · Bachelor of Social Work

Diana Kushemererwa brings together counselling, social work education and international humanitarian experience. An ACA-registered counsellor and founder of Quiet Hope Counselling, she holds a Master of Counselling, an MPhil in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Social Work. Her teaching experience spans Acknowledge Education, La Trobe University, the Institute of Health and Management, and Box Hill Institute. Her work in curriculum review, refugee support and counselling informs her commitment to culturally responsive, practice-focused education.

Read full biography

Diana Kushemererwa brings together counselling, social work education and humanitarian experience across several countries. She is an ACA-registered counsellor and founder of Quiet Hope Counselling, where she supports adults and couples through trauma, grief, relationship challenges and cultural transitions.

Diana currently teaches in the Graduate Certificate in Health and Community Services at Acknowledge Education and has taught in its Master of Social Work (Qualifying) program. Her teaching experience also spans undergraduate social work at La Trobe University and the Institute of Health and Management, and community services at Box Hill Institute. She currently contributes to curriculum review and quality improvement and serves on the Course Advisory Committee at Gateway College.

Earlier in her career, she undertook an internship with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Switzerland, worked with the Norwegian Red Cross in Bergen, and gained experience in refugee support. Her research on refugee protection in Uganda, together with her counselling and teaching practice, informs her commitment to culturally responsive, practice-focused education.

Diana holds a Master of Counselling, an MPhil in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Social Work.

Nursing, dementia care and health education

Dr Lisa Woodman

PhD · Master of Aged Care Management · Master of Education and Professional Practice · RN

Dr Lisa Woodman brings experience in nursing leadership, dementia care, clinical education and curriculum development. A registered nurse with a PhD and master’s qualifications in aged care management and education, she has held senior clinical and academic roles, including Head of School in Nursing and Director of Healthy Ageing and Dementia Programs. Her work includes developing postgraduate courses, competency assessments, staff training and clinical governance processes. She is the founder of LisaJane DDC, a dementia and aged care consultancy.

Psychology, neuroscience and research methods

Dr Luke Anthony Egan

PhD in Psychology · Macquarie University

Luke has been working in the field of tertiary education and research for over 20 years, specialising in psychology, neuroscience, statistics, research methods, and community services. He graduated from Macquarie University in 2012 with a Ph.D. in psychology, and has conducted research at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australian Catholic University, and Neuroscience Research Australia. He has also served as a lecturer, subject coordinator, and course convener across several tertiary institutions, including Macquarie, UNSW, and Federation University. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers in the fields of psychology, education, neuroscience, and community engagement, and he has experience in providing counselling, mentoring, and mental health workshops. Luke is passionate about teaching and research, especially in areas that make an impact on mental wellbeing, resilience, and community development.

Our purpose

Social responsibility is the mission of all adult education.

We aim to drive transformation and shape the future of higher education, creating education processes and outcomes that serve students, employers and communities.

Why work with us

More than a decade of higher education consulting, and research work since 2010.
Twelve education providers supported since 2015.
More than 1,100 students now studying in courses we developed.
AASW accreditation panel members, chairing five panels in 2025–2026.
Six PhDs and ten master’s degrees by thesis supervised to completion, and 42 publications.
Associates across Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, with contacts in the UK, USA, Singapore and New Zealand.
Members of AASW, ALA, ANZSWWER, IAFOR and The Learner research community.
A free first 30-minute call and one-hour meeting.

Let’s start a conversation

Your next step starts here.

Your first 30-minute call and first one-hour meeting are free.

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About Naturally GiftedResearch and Associates