Khadijah Williams-Peters
Thesis Working Title
A study of children and young people's participation in policy and programme development in Trinidad, West Indies: A study of children in care
Research Interests
I am currently enrolled at Lancaster University as a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Social Science. My research focus includes children's participation as it relates to policy development and service delivery for children and young people in need. My professional experience expands from the Caribbean to international communities and includes teaching, counselling children and young people, developing and managing community based programmes for children and families in marginalised communities and providing training and support to parents and other caregivers. I hold a keen interest in qualitative research as it allows me to explore the realities of service users and practitioners and to get a better understanding of their needs so more responsive policies and programmes can be achieved. I remain committed to finding innovative ways of integrating theory and practice that would foster more relevant and effective application of the social sciences and specifically social work practice inthe 21st century.
My current research seeks to explore the meaning of children's experiences in child care institutions in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies and to examine the issues related to them in decision making processes. The research aims to increase our understanding of the structures and processes which need to be considered when formulating policies and services for children in need in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, especially as related to children's participation rights. It promises to build on theories of development ethics, children's participation and child care, among other areas.
Qualitative methods will be applied and include focus groupand individual interviews with children and caregivers, key stakeholders like policy makers, practitioners and other experts in the field as well as conducting policy and legislative analysis.
Would like to meet
I would be happy to network with persons from various disciplines who share common research or practice interests.
Associated research centres: Child care, child protection and children in care, Children and Young People, Child Welfare Research Unit CWRU, Social Work
Bowland North, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YN, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1524 594116 Fax: +44 (0) 1524
592475