Podcast: Childhoods and Social Justice Research Centre Series - How Connected is Research and Practice in Children's Social Work

In the first of the Centre’s planned series of podcasts, Dr Vicky Sharley, Co-Director of the Centre, poses six central questions which require panellists to reflect upon their knowledge, past and current practices. The discussion includes experiential successes from panellists’ roles in practice, policy and academia, who were each selected from a diverse range of career stages. The conversation includes a question about whether or not panellists feel there is a disconnect between the contexts of children’s social work research and practice, and if so, what factors and challenges are most commonly encountered in these spaces.

In the episode we hear from Hayley Clark Head of Development and Implementation (NSPCC), May Gresdahl PhD Scholar, Department of Social Work (Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU), Jo Coles Principal Social Worker, Children & Families Directorate (Bristol City Council), and Dr. Didier Reynaert, Senior Researcher (HOGENT University of Applied Sciences). The panel discussion was recorded at the International Child & Family Conference 2025, Bristol, UK.