About
Dr. Rachel Naylor is a Lecturer in Social Work at the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University, based at the Derry~Londonderry campus. She is affiliated with the Institute for Research in Social Sciences. Her research focuses on social work workforce dynamics, including staffing standards, mental well-being of social workers, and the impact of crises like the pandemic on health and social care workers. She has contributed to policy development in Northern Ireland regarding safe staffing practices and workforce retention strategies.
Her educational background includes expertise in social policy and community development, reflected in her cross-border and international research on topics like women’s mental health, rural development in Ghana, and conflict resolution in post-conflict societies. She has conducted extensive studies on childcare access, homelessness, and participatory planning in Northern Ireland.
Recent publications highlight her analysis of staffing challenges in social work, pandemic effects on professional well-being, and interdisciplinary approaches to health and social care workforce management. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy recommendations, emphasizing sustainable and compassionate workforce practices.
Rachel collaborates with organizations on projects addressing workforce well-being, cross-border social issues, and community-based solutions. Her research often integrates mixed-methods approaches to understand complex social challenges in healthcare and social services.
