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Social Work and Social Policy research

Social Work and Social Policy orientated research draws upon academic staff from a wide range of disciplinary areas within the School of Social Sciences. In practice, within the Social Work, Care and Community Department are staff working in Childhood Studies, Gender Studies, Health and Social Care, Policy Studies, Social Work Practice Studies, Youth Studies, and Youth Work Studies.

Overview

Research contact: Dr Geraldine Brady

This subject area's underlying research ethos is reflected in a desire to promote social justice, influence policy and practice with a view to enhancing social interventions. A significant component of our research is undertaken on behalf of, and in partnership with, key user groups including local, national and international policy makers and practitioners across social and criminal justice agencies.

Researchers in this subject area have worked in partnership with:

  • Social services and BASW
  • NHS healthcare services
  • Youth services and the JNC
  • Charities and third sector organisations
  • National government departments (Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Departments of Health, Education, Communities, DFID and the Cabinet Office)
  • National professional or subject bodies (National Youth Agency, Children’s Workforce Development Council, National Children’s Bureau, Homeless Link, British Sociological Association, British Educational Research Association)
  • Local and regional government departments and agencies
  • European Union research and innovation funding (Rights, Equality and Citizenship, and DAPHNE programmes)
  • Police forces
  • Prisons

Our long standing relationship with key stakeholder organisations reflects our commitment to meaningful engagement with user groups.

Groups

  • Social Work and Health
  • Crime and Youth Justice
  • Gender
  • Groups, Identities and Health

Case Studies

The following are linked to this subject area -

Associated departments:

Associated research centres:

Staff in the Department of Social Work, Care and Community:

Research Seminar Series

How might research on equalities - anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic and decolonising interventions - inspire the education of students in social work, health and social care, youth and community work and careers guidance?

The Department of Social Work, Care and Community Research Seminar Series will invite external and internal academics to share their practice of research-inspired teaching or teaching-inspired research.

Find a PhD opportunity