معرفی
Jo Dixon serves as Lecturer in Social Work and Research Fellow at the University of York's School for Business and Society within the Department of Social Policy and Social Work. With over two decades of specialized research focusing on children and families in care systems, she leads multiple Department for Education-funded initiatives examining transitions for young people leaving care.
Her research interests center on leaving care policy implementation, housing innovations for care-experienced youth, and transitional support mechanisms. Dixon pioneered participatory methodologies including peer research training for care leavers, developing frameworks where over 40 care-experienced young people conducted interviews and analysis. Her work consistently bridges academic research with practical interventions through partnerships with Catch22, Oxford University's Rees Centre, and local authorities across England.
Dixon's recent publications reveal concentrated focus on care leaver employment barriers (2023 Nuffield project), housing stability models (DfE Staying Close pilots), and educational transition frameworks (York Cares Bright Futures program). Her methodological expertise spans randomized controlled trials in social care settings and co-produced research designs that elevate lived experience.
As Principal Investigator on six major studies including Housing First for Care Leavers (Centrepoint) and Care Leavers Transitions into the Labour Market (Nuffield), she secures substantial research funding while maintaining active roles on journal editorial boards and national advisory groups including the Children's Homes Project steering committee.
Dixon's leadership extends to the Child Welfare Research Group where she develops training schemes like Starting Blocks that won national recognition as a government model. Her commitment to practice integration manifests through direct teaching of Social Work students on Leaving Care Policy and co-developing mental health training packages for frontline staff.
