Society and Community Research

Our Research has a focus on excellence and underpins our Knowledge Exchange activities, CPD and teaching and learning. We are committed to undertaking research that is accessible and informed by our place. Lived experience is at the centre of all we do and our research is frequently co-created. We enable people within our place to work with us to make what we do better, be it research or knowledge exchange, seminars, webinars or podcasts.

Our research and knowledge exchange activities inform the public and professionals in social and public services and the third sector who are critical thinkers, who make a difference to their place, who are expert leaders, policy makers and practitioners. We provide a space and a place for those committed to lifelong learning, reflection and development. Alongside research, our Knowledge Exchange programme offers exciting and diverse opportunities for professionals within the public and social services, members of the community, those with lived experience and students to engage with current research, policy and practice debates.

Our Research Expertise is focused on areas critical to social and public services. Particular areas of expertise include: the use of and experience of violence; domestic violence and abuse; youth justice; participatory research methods; Black and minority ethnic and Global Majority individual and community experience in social and public services and help-seeking; community development; substance use; Rapid Evidence Reviews; mixed methods studies and evaluation. Individual areas of expertise can be explored in detail by following the links to our individual profiles.

Elaine Arnull welcomes contact with anyone who would like to discuss developing future research projects and you can contact her at: e.arnull@wlv.ac.uk

Our Knowledge Exchange activities include:

Society and Community Webinar Series brings together experts to discuss critical issues in social care. It offers an opportunity to engage with expert academic, policy and practice debate on key and emerging areas critical to policy and practice across the spectrum of adult and children’s social care, social work, community development, housing, probation, domestic violence and abuse, substance use, lived experience and youth work. Recent webinars have focussed on the decolonisation of social work knowledge and another on practice in the Family Court. The Webinar series has considerable reach across the region, the UK and internationally.

Talking Heads Seminar Series provides a place for debate about research methodology and research methods. Presenters from our research community examine topics highlighting research findings, ethical dilemmas and solving research ‘problems’. The discussion is collaborative and friendly. We facilitate open and inclusive debate about critical research matters. The seminars are open to all and of particular relevance to active researchers and doctoral and postgraduate students.

You can watch past webinars and seminars here.

Society and Community Podcasts are brand new and forthcoming in 2023! They form a series as part of the D.I.I.verse Hub Podcasts and focus on the stories of those working in the social and public services, those working in our communities and changing our Place and those who make a difference. They will involve members of the community talking about their life, paid or voluntary work that has made a difference in their community or an exciting innovation or part of their journey. They may also feature someone talking about research they have recently published showing us what is exciting about research and what excites those who undertake it.

Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies holds regular events around community engagement as well as academic conferences. You can also volunteer to be involved with projects that the Centre undertakes such as community events and visiting places of worship to raise awareness of health and socially related issues.

Community Expert Advisory Panel is a new initiative that will start in 2023 with a call out for members now. The panel will meet approximately four times a year. Members who contribute to their community or a locally based organisation and have expertise, knowledge, skills, or information come to the group to share the knowledge and learning they think the university could benefit from. This will be an inclusive, welcoming group where all knowledge and learning is valued. Panel members may be involved in a range of work such as identifying key areas of interest in the community, community groups or locally based organisations to develop research ideas that matter to our place. Identifying knowledge that the university might have that could be useful for us to share with groups or organisations in the community and help us forge those links. Reviewing research proposals before they are submitted to funders. Co-developing and co-producing research ideas and opportunities to exchange knowledge. Contributing to webinars, seminars, podcasts or other events. Undertaking peer or community researcher training and getting involved in research projects.

Undertaking research with us: Studying for a PhD. We are always delighted to talk with people about their ideas for doctoral study. We are excited by ideas that are radical, present new or different ways of thinking about a subject, tackle an embedded difficulty, are co-constructed, focused on voice and participation, or move the area of practice/theory/method forward. We welcome talking to you about the research you are interested in undertaking and helping you to shape or think about your ideas.

To discuss doctoral study please contact:

Professor Elaine Arnull, e.arnull@wlv.ac.uk

Or, Post-Graduate Research Tutor: Dr Mahuya Kanjilal, m.kanjilal@wlv.ac.uk

Or to apply visit: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/courses/phd-postgraduate-research-in-social-work-and-social-care/

Current Doctoral Supervision includes: