About

I am the Assistant Head of Discipline for Social and Community Studies.  Also, I am also the Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Youth Work and Community Development Degree. I have been involved in Youth and Community Work for over 25 years in and around Derby.  I have particular experience of working with refugee and migrant communities and faith-based practice.

My research interests are around concepts of intelligence and the professionalisation of youth work practice.

Teaching responsibilities

I am Module Leader for various modules and co-teach on others. I am a personal academic tutor for all three stages as well as an Independent Studies tutor for stage three. I guest speak on various programmes.

Professional interests

My professional interests lie in my experience of working with New Arrivals, this includes Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Economic Migrants. I have a special interest in the Roma community from Eastern Europe. I believe the skills of youth and community workers are vital to helping New Arrivals find a new place to call home. I am particularly interested in the concept of hope in these areas.

I'm also interested in the concept of intelligence and how it impacts different aspects of a young person's life, on their self-worth, but also how others treat young people.

I am focused on discussing the professionalisation of youth work in our current working spaces and places, and how the history of youth work potentially conflicts with modern practice ideals.  I am interested in how we train flexible and adaptable workers.

Research interests

• Social Inequalities
• Migration
• Concepts of Intelligence
• Successful Student placements
• Professional Maturity
• Academic Snobbery
• Impact of Youth Work practice

Membership of professional bodies

• JNC Qualified Youth Worker
• Chair of PALCYW (Professional Association of Lectures in Community and Youth Work)

Qualifications

• Masters of Education
• First Degree in BA (hons) Applied Youth and Community Work.
• PG Cert HE (Teaching qualification for Higher Education)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Vast amount of experience of working in the Youth and Community sector

Recent conferences

Hosted the PALCYW annual conference June 2023 at the University of Derby.

Experience in industry

I have a large amount of experience in Youth Work and Community Development, half of which was faith-based working with young people in the local community through drama, arts and games. The other half my focus has been on New Arrivals, this has been done in various settings from youth clubs to specialist organisations. I was part of setting up the first Roma-led advocacy service in the UK - Roma Community Care in the city of Derby. I have hosted students on placement and worked in arranging student placements while at the university. I have been involved in strategic discussions at the government level around the future of Youth and Community Practice.  I am currently involved in researching youth work practice, especially alongside formal education.

International experience

I have worked on developing Student Placement opportunities in India, Sweden and Australia.

In the media

https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2018/11/what-is-youth-work/ - Blog on What is Youth Work

https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2019/12/positive-future-for-youth-work-and-young-people/ Blog on Positive Future for Youth Work and Young People

Recent publications

• 2022, co-editor of "A Student's Guide to Placements in Health and Social Care Settings" - https://www.criticalpublishing.com/a-students-guide-to-placements-in-health-and-social-care-settings
• 2022, Co author of "The role of youth work in supporting young refugees and their political participation" - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/42128013/121425749/POY+Young+Refugees+and+Political+Participation.pdf/56545c96-23b1-a276-43ea-44098e5012ac
• 2018, author of "Learning to Hope and Hoping to Learn", Chapter 6 - https://pjp-eu.coe.int/documents/42128013/47261623/008719-YKB-24-refugees.pdf/ce611ba2-4193-05e8-8948-61a4b75e3727
• 2015, co author of "Positive Engagement through Youth Work: Working with Roma Children and Young people in Derby, Supporting their Wellbeing".  Today's Children, Tomorrow's Parents Journal.  No 41-45, pages 56-67