About the Centre

The Centre for Applied Childhood Studies led by Professor Adele Jones, is nationally and internationally renowned for producing knowledge based on a critical engagement with theories and concepts relating to children and families, and a critical approach to research methodologies and therapeutic and social interventions. Founded in 1991 by Professor Nigel Parton, who holds an NSPCC Chair in Applied Childhood Studies, the Centre is distinguished in several key ways:

• The Centre has been central to the University’s achievements in Social Work in consecutive Research Assessment Exercises and it is anticipated that there will be wide engagement and submissions in the next Research Excellence Framework (REF).
• Approaches to producing knowledge are based on inclusivity and collaboration as evidenced by joint work across professional and disciplinary boundaries and with colleagues from local, national and international agencies
• Researchers are committed to maximising the impact and relevance of knowledge produced by ensuring a focus on applied research and through a wide and varied knowledge dissemination strategy (including publications, conferences, seminars, policy meetings, consultations with user groups, public lectures, research reports, popular media and teaching)

Research within the Centre is primarily multidisciplinary and involves partners from health, education, criminal justice, social work and social care. International partners include universities from North America, Europe, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, the Caribbean and several international organisations: EU departments, UNICEF, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean). The activities of the Centre are coordinated by Mrs. Sue Hanson.

Aims of the Centre

• To promote research, policy and practice which contributes to the well-being of children and young people nationally and globally and which treats them as participants in their own right.
• To produce knowledge of national and international relevance based on interdisciplinary enquiries into theory, policy and practice in relation to children, young people and childhood
• To enable critical reflection and evaluation of evidence on professional and policy interventions in children's development, family life, parenting and substitute care,
• To disseminate the results of research through publications, training, consultancies, conferences, seminars, service development and policy formulation
• To facilitate the development of child-focused research and publication skills for early career researchers
• To use research findings and methodologies to inform teaching
• To encourage and expand post-graduate study of childhood