Doctoral Research

I am an Doctoral Candidate at the University of Lancashire (formally UCLan) studying towards a Doctor of Professional Studies (ProfD) in Community & Social Care Policy & Practice. The working title of my research is: “Behind Gilded Gates: A critical realist exploration of emotional neglect as experienced by former international school students aged 19 – 25″.

I am due to submit my thesis in September 2029. I am supported by my Director of Studies Dr Yasmeen Ali and my second supervisor is Stephen Gethin-Jones.

What is a ProfD?

A doctorate is the highest level of education that one can attain. Traditionally these are PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy) but over recent decades these have been expanded to Doctorates in Education (EdD) and ProfDs amongst others. A ProfD means the research undertaken has to have a direct impact on the students profession.

Why Affluent Neglect?

Neglect in affluent families has not had extensive study. Neglect is often thought to be scruffy, hungry kids, not those who attend elite schools and wear the best clothes. Affluent neglect can include behaviours such as emotional neglect & abuse, lack of supervision & care, high expectations and low sense of love.

Which Methodology?

My research is going to be a mixed methods study incorporating an online questionnaire and a further set of indepth interviews. I will use a critical realism lense to understand the societal, family and individual impacts. As a ProfD has to impact the students profession, the results of the research is hoped to be disseminated to international schools worldwide and used as a springboard for not only future research in this area, but also to develop policies and procedures to help support and safeguard the children and young people in our care.