معرفی
Tom Disney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, Education & Community Wellbeing at Northumbria University. His research examines how state interventions in care systems affect families and children, focusing on spatial and institutional dimensions of marginalization. He collaborates with local governments and charities to address vulnerabilities in child welfare and education.
- Education:
- PhD, University of Birmingham
- PGCert, University of Birmingham
- MA, University of Birmingham
- MA (Hons), University of Glasgow
Research Interests: His work bridges Social Geography, Childhood Studies, and Social Work, analyzing spaces of care and control in institutions like prisons, orphanages, and schools. Recent projects include studies on care leavers in Russia, family visits to UK prisons, and the role of Family Hubs in austerity-driven welfare systems. He emphasizes cross-disciplinary dialogue to enhance child protection practices and reduce systemic inequities.
Article Trends: Recent publications explore how institutional structures influence care transitions, child protection supervision, and pandemic-era vulnerabilities in schools and families. They highlight spatial aspects of social work practices and ethical challenges in academia.
- Grants and Projects:
- British Academy Small Grant for Russian care leavers study
- ESRC-funded postdoctoral fellowship on UK child protection
- Consultancy project with Newcastle City Council (Half Day CPD event)
Advising and Training: He supervises doctoral students like Jadwiga Leigh and organizes training for care-experienced students entering higher education. His research often involves participatory methods with service users and policymakers.
Labs and Teams: Collaborates with institutions such as Become The National Charity for Care Leavers on initiatives like the Uni Rewady Programme. Engages in interdisciplinary teams to bridge Geography and Social Work disciplines.
