Dr Irene Ayallo is a social practitioner (Registered Social Worker) and educator. She currently teaches social work and community development at Unitec (Social Practice). Her teaching and practice in this field is significantly informed by interdisciplinary (multidisciplinary) background and knowledge, having undertaken research and practiced in a range of areas. These have included: extensive work in HIV and AIDS prevention and care, primary sexual violence prevention, gender-based violence (specifically Intimate Partner Violence), pastoral care and counselling to tertiary students, research methods and data analysis on a range of topics, and work with marginalized groups (including migrant and refugee background communities).