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Policy, Professions and Communities
A research group of the School of Applied Social Sciences.
Policy, Professions and Communities Research Group
Aims and approach
This research group comprises a dynamic mix of academic staff, researchers and research students working in the fields of social policy, social work, community and youth work and sport. The group has developed particular strengths over the last decade in the fields of community mental health, services for children and young people, neighbourhood-based regeneration, disability, international social work and professional ethics and pedagogy.
The aim of the group is to undertake research that contributes to the development of policy, service delivery and practice in the social welfare field. Our research takes account of the competing values, ideologies and political contexts in which professional practice is carried out, with a particular focus on helping professional practitioners make sense of their work in a climate of constant change and challenge. Group members subscribe to a shared value base, which places emphasis on the empowerment of service users, communities and staff.
The group is firmly committed to a multi-disciplinary perspective, integrating perspectives from, inter alia, social policy, sociology, education, sport science, philosophy, history and public health medicine, utilising a full range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, according to the demands of the research questions posed.
Activities
The group meets twice a term, when members may present working papers and discuss research ideas in progress. Group members are involved in organising conferences – including a series of very successful pioneering conferences on the history of community and youth work and contributing to the School Seminar series. Large research projects currently include: mental health mapping , the north east mental health hub, everyday youth work, faith and young people, and performance management in health.
Research Projects
Staff
Academic Staff: Sociology and Criminology
- Dr Vikki Boliver
- Dr Mark Cresswell
- Professor Ian Greener
- Dr Laura Kelly
- Professor Jo Phoenix
- Dr Jonathan Wistow
Academic Staff: Social Work
- Ms Helen Charnley
- Professor Lena Dominelli
- Professor Simon Hackett
- Dr Vasilios Ioakimidis
- Dr Christine Jones
- Prof Roger Smith
Academic Staff: Community and Youth Work
Research Staff
Honorary/Visiting/Emeritus
Postgraduate Students: Elvet Riverside I - Library Mezzanine
Postgraduate Students: 32 Old Elvet - Room 001
Postgraduate Students
- Mr Jon-Fernando Carey
- Ms Helen Gatenby
- Mrs Elizabeth Hackney
- Ms Maria Martinez
- Ms Susan Robson
- Mr Gavin Turnbull
From other departments
- Dr Christopher James Hall (in the Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, School of)
- Prof Jane Macnaughton (in the Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, School of)
- Dr Jill Tidmarsh