Karen is the Programme Leader for the MA in International Social Work programmes here at UEL. Karen is a Senior Lecturer within the field of Social Work based at the Sir John Cass School of Education and Communities..

 Karen's area of teaching, practice and research interests include: international social work; social and community development; international issues in child protection; social work, social justice and human rights; gender and development; and environmental issues in social work.

 Karen completed her first BA in Anthropology at the University of WInnipeg and her second BA in Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Karen continued her studies in International Development through the Centre for Intercultural Communication at the University of British Columbia and in Lille, France. In addition, Karen has gained a Masters of Social Work, focusing on on International Social Work, Child Rights discources and HIV in Southern Africa. Karen is currently completing her doctorate in International Social Work with London Metropolitan University and Zuyd University in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

 Karen has practiced and worked as a consultant in the field of child protection  in Tanzania, Canada and in Greater London. Other places where Karen has practice experiences include South Africa, Mozambique,Trinidad and Tobago, and Indonesia.

 Karen has previously been involved with CUSO-VSO, a Canadian based volunteer sending international development organisation, Canada World Youth, Canadian Crossroad International, the YM-YWCA of Winnipeg, CHO!CES - a Coalition for Social Justice, CHIUS - Community Health Initiative by University Student in Vancouver, the Canadian Women's Health Network, and grassroots community health and women's resource centres in several countries. Karen has been trained and active on the CIDA Rapid Response Rosters for civilian experts on Child Protection in Emergencies.

Karen is the Programme Leader for all post-qualified Master of Arts in International Social Work Programmes. Karen teaches undergraduate level Social Work Law and is a Placement Tutor for both the qualifying undergraduate and graduate Social Work Programme at UEL.

- International Social Work

- Community Development, Community Social Work

- International issues in Child Rights and Child Protection

- Environmental Issues and Social Work 

- Social Work and Humanitarian Interventions

- Social work and Social Development

- Gender Issues and Social Development

- Human Rights and Social Justice

• Social Work (BA)
• Social Work (MA)
• International Social Work and Community Development (MA)
• International Social Work and Refugee Studies (MA)
• Refugee Studies and Community Development (MA)

• Undergraduate Level
• SK1302 Social Work Law 1
• SK1305 Social Work Placement Tutor
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• Post Graduate Level
• Introduction to International Social Work and Community Development
• Research and Learning
• Gender, Development and the Welfare State
• Dissertation
• SKM409 & SKM410 Social Work Placement Tutor

Environment, social justice and social work

Conference presentation:"Exploration of the potential for Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development in social work education". European Network Social Action (ENSACT) Social Action in Europe: Sustainable Social Development and Economic Challenges Conference. Brussels 10 - 13 April 2011

In addition to Karen's other associations, she is involved with the Regional Centre of Expertise for Education for Sustainable Development, and the International Committee of the  Joint University Council Social Work Education Committee. Karen is a member of the International Association for Community Development, the British Association of Social Workers, and a friend of the International Federation of Social Worker.

@intlsocialwork on Twitter