Research
In the Department of Mental Health, Social Work and Interprofessional Learning at Middlesex University not only do we pride ourselves in providing excellence in teaching as a department but we have also attained a reputation of a rapidly expanding research body over the last decade. In conjunction with local councils and internationally renowned partners, we have proved to play a central role in applied research.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Department is proud to be hosting some very prominent research projects in both Mental Health and Social Work:
- Empowerment of Mental Health Service Users (EMILIA), Professor Peter Ryan
- Promoting Mental Health Minimising Mental Illness and Integrating through Education (PROMISE), Professor Peter Ryan
- Families and Schools Together (FAST), Professor Lynn McDonald
- Economic and Social Research Council, Researcher Development Initiative - Round 4, Professor Lynn McDonald
In addition to these large scale studies, many of our academic staff are actively involved in research into their own specialist areas and staff have a broad range of research interests. See our publication lists below for further details of our research outputs. In our Research Repository many of these publications can be downloaded or abstracts can be viewed.
Research in our Department has been greatly enhanced through the CETL grant which has funded research in pedagogy, service user and carer involvement, and interprofessional development. Visit our CETL page for more information on these research projects.
RESEARCH CENTRE
The department also houses the Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (DARC). This is an interdisciplinary forum for collaboration both within the University and with colleagues in other universities in the UK and abroad.
DOING A PHD
We offer PhD students and professional doctorate students unique opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in a guided and professional setting. When you apply for your PhD you should have a topic planned for your research activities. You may find inspiration for your own studies by the research interests and topics that our academic staff are pursuing. For further information about becoming a research student with us contact Linda Bell at l.bell@mdx.ac.uk.
COMMISSIONING US FOR RESEARCH
Our research and evaluation skills are available to NHS trusts, local authorities, schools, charities and other bodies at a cost to be negotiated.
Our Department takes mixed methods approach to research. The application of quasi-experimental and experimental studies results in benefits to service settings and enriches practice and pedagogy in both mental health and social work. The use of a qualitative and ethnographic approach advances our knowledge about the subjective experience of those being studied and the underlying processes behind outcomes.
We emphasise the involvement of service users at all levels and this is a definitive aspect of our approach to applied research development and knowledge transfer. A further distinctive feature in this department is our research on the development of partnerships across health and social service provision. We are dedicated to expanding our research outputs and making a social impact.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
In addition, we offer training packages and knowledge transfers for social work practitioners and mental health nursing practitioners, and new resources can be co-developed to fit needs of the local authority representing evidence based, best practice.
Families and Schools Together (FAST)
Managing Stress and Violence at Work: a training programme for mental health services
CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about research and knowledge transfer in the Department in Mental Health, Social Work and Interprofessional Learning please contact:
Dr Peter Ryan, Professor of Mental Health Research, P.Ryan@mdx.ac.uk
Dr Lynn McDonald, Professor of Social Work Research, L.McDonald@mdx.ac.uk
Dr Betsy Thom, Professor of Health Policy, B.Thom@mdx.ac.uk
