Senior Lecturer in Social Work

In 2007 I obtained my dual qualification in social work and nursing (learning disability). I have worked in various teams across Children's services - Family Support, Assessment teams, the Emergency Duty Team and MASH (Multi-agency safeguarding hub).

During the course of my career I have contributed to the development of the social work profession, through practice education, supporting social work students both within the service, and externally as a practice educator, utilising reflective practice, and mentoring approaches.

Since 2020, I have focused on my teaching interests, completing my PGCE and visiting lecturing at the university, before taking up my current position in 2023.

I appreciate the processes of transformative teaching, whereby students individually and in groups, can discuss and construct meaning from their own experiences, beliefs, and values. I am mindful of teaching strategies such as mixed group activities, engaging the class in whole group discussions about matters relating to inclusion for example, as well as utilising opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.

Qualifications

• Bsc (hons) degree in social work and nursing (learning disability) – University of Hertfordshire
• MA Applied social sciences: Leadership and Management in Social work – University of Bedfordshire
• PGCE (post 14+) – University of Bedfordshire
• Stage 2 practice education – University of Bedfordshire
• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

Teaching Expertise

• I have supported different student groups, at varying stages of their training, as well as across the multiple social works courses available. Teaching expertise includes, social work law, diversity and inclusion, human development, social work interventions and assessment.

Research Interests

• I have used action research to inform teaching, where I examined the impact of ‘real world' or role play activities on the students confidence and knowledge. This was from the students' perspectives acknowledging and including their voice as critical feedback to inform their learning. This research reinforced the importance of differentiating learning for students as well as implementing theory to practice within the context of the teaching environment to increase students' ability to recontextualise their knowledge in the work environment.
• For my Masters, I conducted secondary research analysing literature on resilience within social work, in particular alternative and complex perspectives of this phenomenon, and how resilience interacts with staff turnover and wellbeing.

Contact Details

Bedford campus
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA
United Kingdom

E: Emma.Murati@beds.ac.uk