Social Work Research Group

Supporting research which promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people
Male College Student Meeting Talking With Campus Counselor Discussing Mental Health Issues. Advice and guidance.Getty 1218975578
The social work research group takes the International Federation of Social Workers Global Definition of Social Work as the basis for our work:
  • We support research which promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.
  • Our central principles are social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities.
  • Our work is underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge,
  • Our research engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.

Advancing social work research for health and community impact

The University of Plymouth’s Department of Social Work has published its 2022–2024 research summary, highlighting significant contributions to social work education, research, and community service. This period saw impactful research on issues like stress in child protection roles, LGBTQ+ youth digital microaggressions, and health interventions during COVID-19, underscoring the department’s commitment to addressing urgent social challenges.
Social Work Research Summary

Plymouth Social Work Symposium 2023: Social Work and the Sea

Social workers and allied professions have a long history of working in coastal communities and with seafarers. However, unlike other fields of social work, the link between social work, the sea, and coastal communities has been under-explored in the literature and in practice.
This symposium took place at the University of Plymouth on 22–23 June 2023 and was aimed at anyone with an interest in social work or social care.
Aerial view of Plymouth Sound

Group members

 

Publications
Fernandez, E., Welbourne, P., Lee, B., & Ma, J. L. C. (Eds.) (2025). The Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research: Knowledge-Building, Application, and Impact. Routledge.
Scheadler, T. R., Rao, S., Shuper, P. A., Beer, O. W. J., Curtis, T., McInroy, L. B., & Eaton, A. (2024). Recruiting and engaging heterosexual-identified men who have sex with men: A brief report of considerations for sex researchers. The Journal of Sex Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2024.2380017
Moran, B. (2024). Creative critical reflection through poetry and prose. Social Work Education: The International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2024.2317869
Beer, O. W. J., McInroy, L. B., Hefner, J., & Beer, S. E. (2024). Examining the feasibility and acceptability of an online mindfulness-based stress reduction program for frontline child protection social workers in England. Journal of Public Child Welfare. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2024.2312838
Bellinger, A. (2024). Dis-integration: Reflections on the legal, policy and practical challenges resulting from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Vectors of Social Sciences, 7, 5-12.
Haughtigan, K., Griffiths, A., Link, K., Beer, O. W. J., & Powell, K. (2024). Lessons learned: Facilitating a health and wellness intervention for frontline child welfare workers during COVID-19. Child Welfare: Journal of Policy, Practice, and Program, 101(4), 31-51. https://www.cwla.org/child-welfare-journal/
Eaton, A., Scheadler, T. R., Bradley, C., McInroy, L. B., Beer, O. W. J., Beckwell, E., Busch, A., & Shuper, P. A. (2023). Identity development, attraction, and behavior of heterosexually identified men who have sex with men: Scoping review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 12(184). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02355-6
Phillips, R. J., Beer, O. W. J., & Maleku, A. (2023). Conceptualizing and operationalizing community resilience: A scoping review of the social and health sciences literature. Community Development, 55(2), 174-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2023.2225088
Link, K., Griffiths, A., Haughtigan, K., Beer, O. W. J., & Powell, L. (2023). Child welfare workforce health: Exploring stress, burnout, depression, and sleep during COVID-19. Child Welfare: Journal of Policy, Practice, and Program, 101(5), 79-103. https://www.cwla.org/child-welfare-journal/
McInroy, L. B., Beer, O. W. J., Scheadler, T. R., Craig, S. L., & Eaton, A. D. (2023). Exploring the psychological and physiological impacts of digital microaggressions and hostile online climates on LGBTQ+ youth. Current Psychology, 43, 2586-2596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04435-1
 
 
 

Documents