I joined Northumbria in 2009 after a career in Youth Work and Community Development Work in the Voluntary Sector in the North East of England, which involved both practice and management roles. This rich practice experience, and my continuing links with the Youth Work community informs my teaching and research interests. I am a passionate advocate of Youth Work as a profession.

My current research interests include the use of 'resilience' as a concept linked with Youth Work values and ethics;  'childhood' during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, and social justice and inequality related to health.

I am a member of the Institute of Youth Work(IYW), and a Senior fellow of Advance HE, and a Member of the British Assoiciation of Counsellors and Psychotherapists