The Portal Podcast: Linking Research and Practice for Social Work

In this episode Sarah and Lesley speak to Dr. Angie Wilcock and Dr. Sheila Quaid about their paper ‘Exploring the Dynamics of Situated Emotionality in Feminist Standpoint Epistemology’ (click here to read the paper). Angie and Sheila’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on emotions in research and practice. We talked about how, as researchers and practitioners, we can respond genuinely and sensitively to people’s stories and acknowledge our own emotions within the work that we do, as well as how emotions are recognised and managed within social work practice. During the conversation a number of references were made to other material, including a book that Angie and Sheila have recently published, with Catriona Hugman, titled ‘Negotiating Families and Personal Lives in the 21st Century’ (click here for more information about the book). There were also references to other authors/ researchers within the conversation and you can follow the links below to find out more: Donna Harraway’s situated knowledges Sandra Harding’s feminist standpoint epistemology Mary Holmes and Emotionalisation of Reflexivity Catherine Donovan Angie also makes reference to HMPPS within the podcast which stands for ‘Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’.  You can also find out more about our guests by viewing their staff profiles where you can also find their other publications. Find out more about Dr. Angela Wilcock. Find out more about Dr. Sheila Quaid. We hope you enjoy listening.  Click here to access the full transcript for this episode. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here). Production and editing by PaperGhosts.  The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. 

In this episode Dr. Donna Peaock stepped in to co-host with Sarah so that we could speak to Lesley about her paper, ‘A neoliberalist solution for a neoliberalist problem: The neoliberal normalisation of psychosocial support for parent-carers', co-authored with Philip Nicholson and Kim Allen (click here to read the paper).  Lesley’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the impact of austerity measures on social care and in particular on women and mothers. We discussed the term ‘parent-carer’ as a contested label, the neoliberalisation of care, responsibiliation, and what it means to be a ‘good neoliberal citizen’. As always these discussions were brought back to practice and the conversation also touched on critical and reflective practice as well as Lesley’s model of ‘Faciltated Practice-Based Research’. Some useful points for social work practice were raised in this conversation and we hope you enjoy listening.  Click here to access the full transcript for this episode. Click here to view Lesley’s other publications. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).  Production and editing by PaperGhosts.  The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. 

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr. Donna Peacock about her paper, co-authored with Dr. Faye Cosgrove, titled “Supporting ‘vulnerable’ detainees through a student volunteering service” (click here to read the paper). Donna is the team lead for Social Studies at the University of Sunderland which includes BSc Health and Social Care, BSc Policing Studies, BSc Professional Policing, BSc Sociology, BSc Criminology, BA Applied Investigation, Msc Inequality and Society, MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing, and MA investigative Management. Donna’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the Northumbria Local Appropriate Adult Scheme which was created as a partnership between the University of Sunderland, Northumbria Police, and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office. Police codes of practice require the police to provide an Appropriate Adult to support anyone identified as a ‘vulnerable adult’ and in this podcast episode we explore this provision with Donna. We had a fascinating conversation with Donna about the scheme, the construction of vulnerability, power dynamics, and what it means to be an ‘Appropriate Adult’. Lots to take away from this conversation for social workers!  Click here to access the full transcript for this episode. Click here to view Donna’s other publications. Click here to follow Donna on Twitter. In this conversation, Donna also spoke about Dr. Laura Farrugia’s work. Laura is a Senior Lecturer and the Programme Leader for BSc Forensic Psychology. Click here to view Laura’s staff profile which contains links to her publications. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).  Production and editing by PaperGhosts.  The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland.