Professor David Shemmings

Head of Social Work Research

Department: School of Health and Social Sciences

Contact

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8411 5336
E-mail: d.shemmings@mdx.ac.uk

Qualifications

PhD MA Adv.Dipl in Ed. BEd Cert Ed.

Research Interests

Attachment theory in childhood and adulthood; child protection and family support; mixed methods on social work research

Teaching Interests

Individual and Society; Research Methods; Children and Families elective

Biography

Employment

2005 - current post at Middlesex University
1988-2005 - Lecturer then Senior Lecturer in Psychosocial Sciences at the UEA, Norwich

Selected publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles

Thoburn, J., Lewis, A. and Shemmings, D. (1995) 'Family Involvement in Child Protection', Child Abuse Review, 4, pp.161-171.
Shemmings, D. (2000) 'Adult attachment theory and its contribution to an understanding of conflict and abuse in later-life relationships', Journal of Adult Protection, vol 2 (3), pp. 40-49.
Shemmings, D. (2000) 'Professionals' attitudes to children's participation in decision-making: dichotomous positions and doctrinal contests', Child and Family Social Work, vol 5 (3), pp. 235-244.
Howe D., Shemmings D. and Feast J. (2001) 'Age at placement and adult adopted people's experience of being adopted', Child and Family Social Work, vol 6 (4) pp. 337-349.
Shemmings, D. (2004) 'Researching relationships from an attachment perspective: the use of behavioural, interview, self-report and projective methods', Journal of Social Work Practice, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 299-314.
Shemmings, D. (2006) 'Quantifying qualitative data: an illustrative example of the use of Q methodology in psychosocial research', Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), April 2006, pp 147-165.
Shemmings, D. (2006) 'Using adult attachment theory to differentiate adult children's internal working models of later life filial relationships' Journal of Aging Studies, 20(2), April 2006, pp 177-191.
Mutter, R., Shemmings, D. 'An evaluation of the use of family group conferencing in mental health services', submitted to the British Journal of Social Work.
Shemmings, D. 'Children's views on their participation in decision-making meetings:A narrative analysis of 'self-efficacy talk' in qualitative research interviews', submitted to the Journal of Social Work Practice.

Single-authored books:

Shemmings, D. (1991) Client Access to Records: Participation in Social Work, Avebury, Gower, 123pp. ISBN 1 85628 107 8.

Joint-authored books:

Thoburn, J., Lewis, A. and Shemmings, D. (1995) Paternalism or Partnership? Family Participation in Child Protection, HMSO, 251pp. ISBN 011321788 9.

Edited books:

Shemmings, D. and Platt, D. eds. (1996) Making Enquiries into Allegations of Child Abuse: Partnership with Families, John Wiley, 276pp. ISBN 18616 5 000 0.

Monographs:

Shemmings, D, and Thoburn, J. (1990) Parental Participation in Child Protection Conferences in Hackney Social Services Department, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Shemmings, D. (1991) Family Participation in Child Protection Conferences in Lewisham Social Services Department, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Shemmings, D. (1992) 'The Use of Language' in Participation in Practice-Involving Families in Child Protection: A Reader, Thoburn, J. ed., University of East Anglia, Norwich (commissioned by the Department of Health).
Shemmings, D. and Wedge, P. (1996) Motivation, Morale and Performance, UEA Publications. ISBN 1 900822 00 8.
Shemmings, D. (2005) Adult Attachment Theory, UEA Social Work Monograph series (No. 213), UEA Norwich.

Book chapters:

Shemmings, D. and Shemmings, Y. (1995) 'Participatory Practice in Health and Welfare' in Empowerment and Community Care, Jack, R. ed., Chapman and Hall, pp 43-58. ISBN 0 412 59880 9.
Shemmings, D. and Shemmings, Y. (1996) 'Building Trust when Making Enquiries' in Making Enquiries into Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect: Partnership with Families, Shemmings, D. and Platt, D. eds., John Wiley, 67-85. ISBN 1 86165 000 0.
Shemmings, D. (1996) 'Introduction' to Making Enquiries into Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect: Partnership with Families, Shemmings, D. and Platt, D. eds. John Wiley, pp. xiii-xxv. ISBN 1 86165 000 0.
Thoburn, J., Lewis, A. and Shemmings, D. (1996) 'Partnership-Based Practice in Child Protection Work' in Child Welfare Services: Developments in Law, Policy, Practice and Research, Hill, M. and Aldgate, J. eds., London: Jessica Kingsley, pp 132-146. ISBN 1 85302 316 7.
Shemmings, D. and Shemmings, Y (1997) 'Using Psychodynamic Theory in Social Work' in Using Theory in Social Work (ed. Jack, R.), Open Learning Foundation/Department of Health.
Shemmings, D (1997) 'Child protection investigations and enquiries' in Turning Points: Involving Young People in Decision-Making: A Reader, Marchant, R and Gordon, R (eds.), John Wiley/NSPCC.
Shemmings, D (1997) 'Conceptions of Childhood' in Turning Points: Involving Young People in Decision-Making: A Reader, Marchant, R and Gordon, R (eds.), John Wiley/NSPCC.
Connolly, J. and Shemmings, D (1998) Understanding Assessment in Family Support and Child Protection: A Directory of Training Materials, Courses and Key Texts, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Shemmings, D. (ed.) (1999) Involving Children in Family Support and Child Protection, London: Stationery Office.
Shemmings, D (1999) 'Research into children's involvement in child protection conferences' in Involving Children in Family Support and Child Protection, Shemmings, D. (ed.), London: Stationery Office.
Shemmings, D (1999) 'The Importance of Relationships' in Involving Children in Family Support and Child Protection, Shemmings, D. (ed.) London: Stationery Office.
Shemmings, D (1999) In On The Act - Involving Children in Family Support and Child Protection - A Training Pack, commissioned by the Department of Health, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Corner. A, Rushforth, C. and Shemmings, D. (1999) 'Preparing Children for Involvement in Decision-Making' in Involving Children in Family Support and Child Protection, Shemmings, D. (ed.) London: Stationery Office.
Shemmings, Y. and Shemmings, D. (2001) 'Empowering children and family members to participate in the assessment process' in The Child's World: Assessing Children in Need (ed. Horwarth, J), London: Jessica Kingsley.
Shemmings, D. Shemmings, Y. (2003) 'Developing research-mindedness for managers and supervisors', in Managing Care in Practice, Seden, J. Reynolds, J. (eds.). ISBN 0415298652.