Matt Rive

Matt Rive is a Visiting Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Chester and a registered social worker specializing in criminology-social work intersections. His ESRC-funded PhD research examines multi-agency safeguarding responses to cuckooing (home takeovers), integrating lived experience perspectives with public sector professional insights to improve institutional strategies against criminal exploitation. His work directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Education

• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Chester (2024)
• Master of Arts in Criminology and Social Policy, Liverpool John Moores University (2023)
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, University of Chester (2015)

Research Focus

Rive’s scholarship centers on cuckooing dynamics and social work practice education, employing mixed-methods approaches including focus groups with affected individuals and professionals. His research identifies critical gaps in multi-agency collaboration for safeguarding vulnerable populations while innovating field-based learning models for social work students. Current projects emphasize translating academic insights into actionable public sector protocols.

Publication Trends

His 2024 outputs reveal dual expertise: the North West ROCU report establishes evidence-based frameworks for combating home takeovers, while the practice education study pioneers proximity-focused field instruction models. Both works demonstrate consistent application of criminological theory to social work practice, with strong emphasis on community safety partnerships and pedagogical innovation.

Grants and Professional Engagement

• ESRC-funded PhD research on multi-agency safeguarding
• Collaboration with North West Regional Organised Crime Unit
• Partnership with Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership

Rive actively bridges academic research and frontline practice through commissioned reports and practice educator roles, focusing on scalable solutions for criminal exploitation and social work training.