Louise Whitehead

Louise Whitehead is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Social Work program at Sheffield Hallam University's Department of Social Work and Social Care and Community Studies. She holds a PhD in co-production's role in addressing loneliness and social isolation. Her career spans over 20 years in adult social care, including frontline work, management, and training before transitioning to academia in 2020.

• University: Sheffield Hallam University
• School: College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Research focuses on adult safeguarding, post-pandemic social isolation impacts, and co-production methodologies. Collaborations include Doncaster Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board and Ben's Centre in Sheffield. Her work bridges practice and policy, emphasizing vulnerable adult protection and community engagement.

Publications include analyses of safeguarding practices and the interplay between loneliness and abuse risk in older adults. Teaching responsibilities include curriculum development and student mentorship in social work education.