Academic Profile
I joined the Department of Sociological Studies in September 2008 having previously taught at the University of Manchester (2005-2008) and been a Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds (2003-2005).
Research
My research interests bridge social policy and sociology with a focus on the analysis of policies, services and everyday lived experiences in relation to childhood, young people, parenthood and family support. I am interested in the relationship between child, family and social policy, and engage in critical policy analysis for improvements in child welfare and family support entitlements, provisions and services. I have completed qualitative research about lone mothers' experiences of negotiating motherhood and paid work, parental empowerment in Sure Start Children's Centres and parents of teenagers' experiences of participating in group parenting programmes.
