LINKING THEORY, RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
The relationship between critical theory and community-based research is central to my work, with a focus on research, publications and presentations aimed at raising awareness about children’s experiences – at individual and community level – and informing policy/ practice.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Analysing the political, historical, social, cultural and economic contexts influencing children’s lives – particularly the power dynamics (interpersonal, institutional, societal) affecting their experiences, opportunities, behaviours, attitudes and the responses of adults towards them – my research and publications examine the impacts of structural inequalities and how policies/ practices are rooted in the determining contexts of class, gender, sexuality, ‘race’, culture, ability and age.
KEY PRINCIPLES underpinning my work include:
- promoting children’s rights and affirming the principles of social justice
- challenging the structural marginalisation of children, both as individuals and as a social group
- critiquing implementation of international human rights standards
- identifying rights violations experienced by the most vulnerable and disadvantaged
- highlighting individual’s strengths and challenging interventions which pathologise or responsibilise children, families and communities
- conducting ethical, respectful and inclusive research