معرفی
Dr. Sarah Ward is a Lecturer in Learning in Communities at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. Her work focuses on community development, youth participation, and the Capabilities Approach to address social justice. She holds a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow, exploring Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and its impact on community wellbeing. Dr. Ward has over two decades of experience in youth and community work, with a commitment to participatory research and policy influence.
Education:
- PhD, Urban Studies, University of Glasgow (2018)
- MLitt Creative Writing, University of Glasgow (2010)
- MSc Adult Education and Community Development, University of Glasgow (1998)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Education, University of Strathclyde (1997)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Edinburgh (2024)
- Associate Fellow in Academic Practice, University of Glasgow (2021)
Research Interests:
Dr. Ward’s research emphasizes participatory approaches to empower marginalized communities. Key themes include dialogue-driven groupwork, youth activism barriers, and leveraging the Capabilities Approach to enhance social equity. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and community organizations to ensure lived experiences shape research outcomes.
Grants & Projects:
- British Academy Early Career Network Seed Grant 2023: Investigated barriers/enablers to youth activism in Scotland, fostering collaborations with Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities.
- Children's Neighbourhoods Scotland: Developed capabilities research models to amplify youth voices in policy decisions.
Awards:
- Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2017 (University of Cambridge)
Teaching & Supervision:
Dr. Ward teaches courses on community learning and social justice at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She currently supervises Anne O’Donnell (mental health survivor activism) and Fiona Lindsay (physiotherapy CBR skills).
Affiliations:
- Edinburgh Futures Institute Research Affiliate
- CLD Standards Council Committee Member
- Coordinator, Human Development & Capabilities Association Education Thematic Group
Labs & Teams:
Collaborates with interdisciplinary networks including the Child and Youth Research Hub at the University of Edinburgh and partners like Youthlink Scotland to advance community-centered research practices.
