Ms Louise Hardwick MSW, SFHEA

My current research activities relate to a number of community collaborations: I am Chair of the charity Interchange which acts as a broker between students doing undergraduate dissertation projects and non-profit community organisations seeking research. Out of these collaborations issues situated knowledge whereby students are the key actors in knowledge production that is of benefit to the local community. Associated to this community-based learning pedagogy, I am is working with Lancashire County Council on a Knowledge Exchange Project which facilitates social workers doing action research related to their practice experience and of benefit to services users in Lancashire. Also, in partnership with the School of Health and Life Sciences, I’m involved in an evaluation of the need for advocacy services for groups and individuals, who need a voice and representation in our changing welfare context.