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Research and Knowledge Exchange

The research undertaken in SWECW is diverse, intersecting across many academic and professional disciplines and wider sectors of society. Broadly speaking, our research is guided by principles of social justice and can be organised into three main themes.

Firstly we are interested in supporting People and Communities, who may experience marginalisation. This may involve creative ways of directly working with people with lived experience of health, social or educational inequalities, disadvantage or marginalisation. Secondly in terms of Practice and Practitioners, we aim to support new and effective ways of supporting professionals working with these people and communities. This includes for example Teachers, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists in both statutory and third sector organisations. Finally, the Services and Systems which govern and guide the delivery of services need to be researched and evaluated to ensure any innovations and change are both effective and lasting.

At the core of all of these themes is the drive to challenge inequalities across education, social care and health and develop the next generation of research informed professionals. More than ever given recent international health concerns and possible reforms in national social care the research undertaken SWECW is central to the future wellbeing of the public and the communities they form.

Find out more below about the varied aspects of our research including research themes and key partnerships and collaborations.


Latest News and Features

Dr David Littlefair and Dr Joanne Atkinson, Deputy and Head of Department for Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing at Northumbria University are joined by public policy researchers, Professor Matthew Johnson, Dr Howard Reed, Dr Elliott Johnson and Dr Graham Stark.
Northumbria University News Spring 2025
Led by academics from Northumbria University and campaigners at the UBI Lab Network, a new pilot proposal has been launched for a groundbreaking scheme which experts say could eventually end absolute poverty in Greater Manchester.
City Campus East at Northumbria University
Professor Greta Defeyter
Dr Elliott Johnson, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in Public Policy at Northumbria University.
Sycamore Gap
New study demonstrates an inclusive approach to leading research

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