Senior Lecturer in Social Work

I have worked as a Social Work Lecturer since 2001. I have a strong commitment to social justice, reflected in my area of teaching specialism, that is, sociology and social policy and research interests. I have undertaken some key research exploring educational inequalities among black minority ethnic students within the context of Social Work Education and have a number of related publications.

I took up my position as Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Bedfordshire in 2013. I enjoy adopting creative and innovative approaches to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels; this entails creating inclusive learning spaces which recognise and celebrate students’ unique life course experiences and trajectories.

The course units that I design and teach and my research interests are deeply intertwined. I passionately believe in addressing educational inequalities and widening participation to higher education to students from less privileged social backgrounds, and identifying and exploring other key social problems in the UK.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Education, Institute of Education, University of London
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, Middlesex University.
• MSc Social Policy and Administration, London School of Economics, University of London
• BA Honours, Social Work: 1st class honours, University of Hertfordshire.
• Diploma in Social Work: University of Hertfordshire.

Teaching Expertise

• Course Co-ordinator Postgraduate Certificate Preparing for Professional Social Welfare Practice
• Unit Co-ordinator BS. Social Work Level 4, Masters Stage 1 and Step-up to Social Work Sociology and Social policy units
• Unit Co-ordinator BS. Social Work Level 6, Critical Ethical Reflective Practice unit.
• Unit Co-ordinator BS. Social Work Level 6, Consolidation for Social Work Practice unit.

Research Interests

• Black Minorities Ethnic students’ educational and career motivations, experiences and trajectories.
• Widening participation to Social Work Education.
• Virtue ethics.
• Relationship based practice.
• Inclusive learning and teaching strategies.

Projects

University of Bedfordshire Access Partnership Scheme, awarded £2,500.

External Roles

• Trainee Psychotherapist.
• Mental Health Act Manager (sessional), The Priory Group, Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire.
• Mental Health Act Manager (sessional), Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation Trust.
• Widening participation work with several further education colleges.
• Community work to raise awareness of mental health issues for black and minority ethnic people, recognised by the University of Bedfordshire’s, Beds Star Award, 2021 under the category of 'collaborative' for work in raising awareness of mental health issues for Black and Minority People’.

Publications

Co-authored books

Statham, J. Dillon, J. & Moss, P. (2001) Placed and Paid For: Supporting Families through Sponsored Day Care, The Stationery Office.

Chapters in edited books

• Dillon, J. (2020) ‘Black Male Suicide, a ‘Ticking Time Bomb’: Personal Reflections and Considerations for Suicide Awareness and Prevention’ in Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour (pp. 73-75), Staffordshire, Kirwin Maclean/BASW.

• Hafford-Letchfield, T., Dillon, J. (2015) ‘Ethics and Values within the Social Work Continuum’, in L. Bell and T. Hafford-Letchfield, Ethics, Values and Social Work Practice, London, Routledge.
  
  
• Statham, J. Dillon, J. Moss, P. (2001) Placed and Paid For: ‘Supporting Families through Sponsored Day Care’ in The Children Act Now: Messages From Research: London: Department of Health.

Peer reviewed articles in published journals 

• Dillon, J. and Pritchard, D.J. (2021) ‘Relational Learning and Teaching with BME Students in Social Work Education’, Social Policy and Administration, 21 (1): pp.93-105.
  
  
• Dillon, J. (2011) ‘Black minority ethnic students navigating their way from access courses to social work programmes: Key considerations for the selection of students’, British Journal of Social Work, (8):1477-1496.
  
  
• Dillon, J. (2010) ‘Black minority ethnic students' journeys to higher education: realisable or thwarted ambitions?’, The International Journal of Learning, 17(2): 219-231
  
  
• Dillon, J. (2007) ‘The Conundrum of Balancing Widening Participation with the Selection of Suitable Students for Social Work Education’, Social Work Education, 26 (8): 827 – 841.
  
  
• Dillon, J. (2007) ‘All change within the academy: dissonance and role conflict, or the potential for new forms of professionalism?’ Educate, 7(1): 27-38.
  
  
• Dillon, J. (2007) ‘Reflections on widening participation policy: macro influences and micro implications’, Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 9(2): 16-25.
  
  
• Allain, L. Cosis Brown, H. Danso, C. Dillon, J. Finnegan, P. Gadhoke, S. Shamash, M. Whittaker, F. (2006) ‘User and Carer Involvement in Social Work Education – a university case study: manipulation or citizen control?’, Social Work Education, 25 (4): 403-413.
  
  
• Dillon, J. Statham, J. & Moss, P. (2001) ‘The Role of the private market in day care provision for children in need’, Social Policy and Administration, 35(2): 127-144.
  
  
• Statham, J. Dillon, J. & Moss, P. (2000) ‘Sponsored day care in a changing world’, Children and Society, 14: 23-26.

• Moss, P. J. Statham & Dillon, J. (2000) The ‘Child in need’ & ‘The rich child’: Discourses, Constructions and Practice, Critical Social Policy, 20(2): 233-253.

• Dillon, J. & Statham, J. (1997) ‘Placed and Paid For: a national overview of the use of private and voluntary day care facilities for children in need’, Journal of Child and Family Social Work, 3(2): 113-123.

Official reports

• Dillon, J. Statham, J (2000) Children in Need and Sponsored Day Care: Feedback report for Local Authority A from an independent study conducted by the Thomas Coram Research Unit.
  
  
• Dillon, J. Statham, J (2000) Children in Need and Sponsored Day Care: Feedback report for Local Authority B from an independent study conducted by the Thomas Coram Research Unit.
  
  
• Dillon, J. (1999) ‘St. Albans African Caribbean Group Under Tens Survey’, The St Albans and District Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.
  
  
• Dillon, J. & Statham, J. (1998) Sponsored Day Care for Children in Need: Examples from Twelve Local Authorities, Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1582743187

E: jean.dillon@beds.ac.uk

Taught courses

• Social Work BSc (Hons)