Professor Mark Smith
Professor in Social Work
Education and Society, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
Contact
Biography
I was a practitioner and manager in residential child care settings for almost 20 years before entering academia. My first academic post was at the University of Strathclyde, where I set up and taught a Masters programme in residential child care. In 2005, I moved to the University of Edinburgh as lecturer, and subsequently, senior lecturer, in social work. I served as head of social work there from 2013 - 2017. I joined the University of Dundee as Professor of Social Work in 2017.
Research
I have a broad range of research and writing interests. I have published three books on residential child care and an edited volume on moral panics. An edited text (with Viv Cree), 'Social Work in a Changing Scotland' was published early in 2018. My research interests lie in the areas of care and upbringing, social pedagogy, social work ethics and theorising social work. I have a particular current interest in historical abuse in residential child care.
I would be interested in supervising PhDs in any of the above areas, or more broadly, through negotiation.
Teaching
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). My current teaching is around policy development. I have broader teaching interests is residential child care, ethics and social work theory and a particular interest in professional education.
Media availability
I am available for media commentary on my research.
Contact Corporate Communications for media enquiries.
Areas of expertise
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Social care
- Social work
Stories
News
Professor of Social Work has written a book that gives insights into the pre and post-care experiences of boys who were pupils in a residential school