Dr Cooper's Research Interests

Neil Cooper scholarly work orients around qualitative approaches in psychology. Neil's PhD involved the application of traditional psychological concepts to the practice arena and this raised problems of knowledge and power within the research process. He has since tried to engage with social constructionist ideas and their implications for developing psychological accounts.

This research aims to further the understanding of people as social actors, exploring subjective experience as it unfolds within and contributes to wider social meanings. Using methods such as grounded theory and narrative analysis we adopt a psychosocial stance to exploring the interconnections between individual's lived experiences and their sociocultural environments.

Acknowledging that power permeates everyday life, including the process of knowledge production, the group recognises the importance of working with participants as people.

Research projects within the group are varied, focusing on areas which include disciplinary boundaries, interprofessional practices, family relationships, and technological change, as well as methodological issues such as reflexivity and participatory approaches in research.

Current Research Students

Simon Hammond

Exploring a role for new technologies in life story work with adolescents in residential care

Hammond S. and Cooper N.J. (2010) From looked-after children to looking after children, insight from an unusual perspective. International Social Work. (In Press)

Peter Jordan

Ethical decision making in safeguarding children work

Alexia Zinonos

Community Development and Gender

Completed Research Students

Holly Honeyman 2010 PhD

Constructing Designer Babies. (Supervised with Dr. Simon Hampton)

Nadir Yalli  2008 PhD

Hospital social work in Saudi Arabia: An investigation of practitioners’ perceptions of the common workplace issues that influence their position and role in health care.

Yalli, N. and Cooper, N. (2008) The perceptions of hospital social workers in Saudi Arabia regarding the organisational factors that impact on their role. International Journal of Social Welfare, 17 (3) 247-250

Lesley Dibley 2007 MPhil

Experience of Same Sex parents when their children require health care intervention.

[If you are interested in completing a research degree in the areas outlined above, please click here]