Patricia Cartney

Patricia Cartney is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Social Work at the University of Manchester, overseeing MA Social Work and post-qualifying programs. She specializes in pedagogical strategies for social work education aligned with social justice principles. As a Principle Fellow of Advance HE, her work emphasizes inclusive teaching methods and higher education reform. Her research explores professional practice pedagogy and its evolution amid systemic changes.

• Education:
  • PhD in 'Researching Pedagogy in a Contested Space' (Middlesex University, 2012)
  • MSc Social Work (London School of Economics, 1986)
  • BSc Economics (Social Policy, LSE, 1984)
• Affiliations:
  • Co-Chair of the Joint Universities Social Work Association
  • Represents University of Manchester in Greater Manchester Social Work Academy
  • External Examiner at Hong Kong Shue Yan University (2024–2028)

Her research focuses on improving social work education quality and addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups, including Deaf BSL parents in child safeguarding contexts. Recent work examines workforce burnout during the pandemic and pedagogical innovations in master’s-level social work training.

• Awards: Principal Fellow of Advance HE (2016)
• Grants: Co-Investigator on SECURE Study (2021–2023), analyzing social care workforce responses to COVID-19.

Patricia contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and social justice through her teaching and advocacy roles in Manchester’s Poverty Truth Commission and community safeguarding initiatives.