Christina Dodds

PhD in department of Social Work and Communities

Christina was born in Lincolnshire and completed her secondary education at her local comprehensive school. Christina joined the Army at 18, enlisting as a private solder within the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) as a Ward Stewardess, which was later renamed to Health Care Assistant.

Christina completed 24 years in the QARANC, leaving at the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1; on her retirement in February 2010 she held the post of Regimental Sergeant Major for the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RDCM), Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, the receiving hospital for operational casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq. She also held the additional appointment of Corp Regimental Sergeant Major for the QARANC and was the senior noncommissioned officer within the QARANC until her retirement in 2010.

During her 24 years’ service, she worked clinically in the UK and overseas, working in a variety of clinical areas, including children, medical and surgical wards. Christina also balanced her clinical roles with military training posts, working as a military instructor with officers, recruits, reserves and trained soldiers. Christina was an instructor of military subjects including drill, skill at arms (Small Arms), map reading and first aid.

Christina deployed operationally with 32 Field Hospital in Saudi Arabia, during the Gulf War of 1990/91, she also went on two tours of the Balkans, with the UK Medical Group, working in multi-national medical facilities, at Sipivo in Bosnia and Pristina in Kosovo.

When planning to leave the Army Christina decided to go to university and train to be a social worker at Northumbria University. She completed a three years BSc in social work, qualifying with a first in 2012.

Christina went on to work as a social worker in the voluntary sector, with SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity, with their Support Groups for Bereaved Families and Families of Injured Service Personnel; she decided to leave to work locally in the North East. Christina started working with the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, providing a home visiting social work service for those who have worked in the coal mining industry and their families, leaving to join Northumbria University.