I joined UEL in November 2009. I was recruited to teach on the youth and community work programme, reflecting over 20 years of youth work experience in East London.

My youth work career began in 1986, when I started teaching water sports in London’s Docklands and volunteering as a part-time youth worker in Brick Lane. For 15 years, I then worked for Oxford House Youth Club in Bethnal Green, before managing the detached team for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in 2000.

From 2000-2009, I worked as a youth service manager for the London Borough of Redbridge. My first 3 years with Redbridge were spent co-managing the borough’s detached / mobile unit team, before moving on to youth involvement and voluntary sector capacity building. My role included overseeing the Youth Opportunities Fund. Towards the end of my time with Redbridge I advanced to Youth Officer, and my remit expanded to include; Information and Advice, Disability work, Child protection, Quality assurance, Workforce development and Extended Schools.

In 2003, I successfully completed an M.A in Applied Anthropology and Youth & Community work from the University of London, Goldsmiths. In 1996, I graduated in Leisure and Tourism management from the University of North London and in 2000, I gained a certificate in Counselling from Waltham Forest College.

I mainly teach on the Youth and Community programme, reflecting my extensive experience in the field. I currently lead on two modules, namely: Anti-discriminatory Practice and Youth, Culture & Policy. I am also however a tutor for Critical Reading and Writing. This core module aims to help students navigate their way through Higher Education conventions and develop their 'academic voice'.

Youth work continues to be my passion. I believe in the importance of keeping informal education both accessible and fun. I remain convinced in particular of the power of residential and outdoor experiences and currently this is my research interest.

Youth Participation is a particular speciality of mine. For example, in 2006 I helped the Methodist Church develop a new £4 million youth participation strategy. Other consultancy roles I have fulfilled previously, include evaluating Tower Hamlets' Surestart programme and guiding South Hertfordshire’s multi-agency youth provision action plan.

• Youth and Community

• ED1000 Critical Reading and Writing
• ED1017 Youth Culture and Policy
• ED2041 Anti- Discrimatory Practice
• ED3026 Managing and Leading Youth Work

• Youth Participation in the Methodist Church in Britain - Get involved!
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