My research focuses upon child welfare and protection. As a society, and internationally, there are acute and chronic issues of maltreatment which face children and need addressing. Child protection is a serious issue that involves a complex network of professionals. My specific focus is on the interactional environment, and in what way systems can be improved so childcare professionals are better able to protect children. I am a registered Social Worker with Social Work England with a professional background in England and Wales.

In the last five years my research has broadened to the global context, particularly the global south, where I am working with international partners and local community organisations in Africa. We have a number of ongoing projects that seek to investigate formal and informal responses to children's care, welfare and education within the community.

Methodologically I have experience of mixed methods approaches, quantitative and qualitative: social work case file analysis, semi-structured interviews, non-participation observation, and focus groups. I have particular familiarity with researching sensitive topics with children, families, and professionals in school and community settings, and of undertaking collaborative research within different cultural contexts. 

PhD Supervision 

I welcome applications from PhD Candidates particularly in the areas of child protection and safeguarding, education, interprofessional working and collaboration with or involving social work professionals, in the United Kingdom.

Projects in Progress:

2022-2024 'The Perivoli Schools Trust Early Care and Education Model: exploring lived experiences and wider social impacts in Namibia'. The Perivoli Foundation. £148,000. With Prof. Janet Ananias and Dr Emma Leonard, University of Namibia.

2021-24 'Care Work and Economy Africa: towards transformative care systems and economies, to harness Africa’s demographic transition'. William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. £410,336.  With Professor Isabella Aboderin, Perivoli Africa Research Centre (PARC) and African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC).

Projects Completed:

2020-21 Kids Under Cover Feasibility Study. commonweal Housing and 1625 Independent People. £10,000. With Dr Jon Symonds.

2018-19 ‘Understanding Child Fosterage in Namibia: children’s health and wellbeing in extended family contexts’. (£8,105) Funder: GCRF (University of Bristol’s Global Challenges Research Fund allocation from Research England). With Dr Janet Ananias and Dr Emma Leonard (University of Namibia), Dr Heather Ottaway.

2017-18 ‘Understanding Child Neglect in Namibia’. (£4,429) Funder: GCRF (University of Bristol’s Global Challenges Research Fund allocation from Research England). With Dr Janet Ananias and Dr Emma Leonard (University of Namibia), Dr Alyson Rees.

2014-18 ‘Identifying and Responding to Child Neglect in Schools in Wales’ (£68,000) PhD Studentship, Cardiff University. Funder: Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales.