Since 2013, I have worked on various research projects within academia, the health service and the Scottish Government. 

Most of my research and work experience to date has been underpinned by a social justice perspective - whether through helping convey the views of victims and survivors of historical (non-recent) abuse in care to the Scottish Government about the implementation of a financial compensation/redress scheme in Scotland; or providing personal coaching to individuals to help improve their lives; or improving access to education, employment and social inclusion for those living in rural communities; or supporting parents with learning disabilities to develop their parenting skills and support networks; or working on research projects that are focused on helping to understand and enhance the lives of others.

My current appointment with the University of Strathclyde as a Research Associate has mostly focused primarily on historical (non-recent) abuse in care.  In early 2017, I contributed to a review of literature and policy that charted the development of child care services between 1900 and 2014 that Professor Emeritus Andrew Kendrick was commissioned to undertake for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.  Thereafter, I joined CELCIS (the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for excellence for children’s care and protection) as a key member of the CELCIS research team who, in partnership with other key stakeholder organisations, ran and delivered a consultation with survivors about a potential financial redress/compensation scheme for victims and survivors abuse in care in Scotland.  From late 2018 until March 2020, I was on part-time secondment to the Scottish Government to support the work of their new redress team in implementing policy and legislation to fulfil the Government’s commitment to financial redress for survivors of childhood abuse in care.  I continue to provide research support to the Government's redress team as required.

I also represent CELCIS on the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s InterAction Action Plan Review Group (The Review Group). The Review Group includes representation from survivors, survivor support organisations, service providers, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Scottish Government, CELCIS and Social Work Scotland. The Group monitors the implementation of the InterAction Action Plan on Justice for victims of historical abuse in care.