Berni Kelly
BSc (Hons) Social Work (1997), Diploma Social Work (1997)
PhD Social Work (2002), PG Cert. in Higher Education Training (2006)
Lecturer in Social Work
Room 02.005, 6 College Park
Ext. 1486; Email: b.r.kelly@qub.ac.uk
Research Interests
My research interests are disability, child and youth identities, looked after children and transitions to adult life. I have an active interest in participatory research with children and young people, including the development of creative methodologies for consulting disabled children and young people.
I previously worked in the Social Work Department in the University of Ulster and as Regional Coordinator and Researcher for the National Children's Bureau. During this time, I managed a range of research projects including research on the needs of cross-community children in public care and projects on children and young people’s awareness and experiences of anti-sectarianism. I completed my doctoral study on family support services for learning disabled children and their families in Northern Ireland in 2002. Following this, I spent almost three years in New Zealand working as a Senior Researcher at the Donald Beasley Institute. During this time I worked on various disability research projects. Since moving to QUB in 2005, I have been involved in a range of research projects including disability studies and social work education projects.
I am currently working on three research studies:
- ‘What a Difference a Decade Makes: exploring disability and identity in young adulthood’. A follow up study of young people involved in my doctoral research funded by the British Academy and due for completion in 2012.
- ‘Understanding Wellbeing in the Lives of Adolescents with Disabilities: an exploratory study’. Funded by: HPSS: R & D Office and due for completion in 2011.
- ‘Development of State of Evidence Papers on Disability Policy & Practice’. (with G. Davidson, J. Carter-Anand, G. Macdonald & Matrix Knowledge) Funded by: National Disability Authority and due for completion in 2011.
Within the School I am a member of the ‘Family Policy and Child Welfare’ Research Cluster as well as the University wide ‘Research Forum for the Child’. I am also a member of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Editorial Advisory Committee for the Child Care in Practice journal and the Child Care Research Forum.
Completed Research Projects
- ‘Enhancing Social Work Students’ Learning Experience and Readiness to Undertake Practice’. A collaborative study with George Wilson funded by SWAP & HEA. Completed 31st August 2009.
- ‘Working with challenging and disruptive situations in residential child care’ (with Institute of Child Care Research, National Children’s Bureau & University of Bristol). Funded by: SCIE (Social Care Institute of Excellence). Completed June 2007.
- ‘Service user and carer involvement in health and social care in Northern Ireland’ (with Joe Duffy et al.). Funded by SCIE (Social Care Institute of Excellence). Completed June 2007.
- ‘Evaluation of three trials of needs assessment and service coordination’ (with A. Bray & J. Macarthur). Funded from Health Research Council New Zealand. Completed 2006.
- ‘Ethnographic study of the impact of school on disabled and non-disabled children’s identities at transition from primary to secondary school’ (with J. MacArthur & M. Gaffney). Funded by Marsden Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand. Completed 2006.
- ‘Building Capability in Special Education for Students with Moderate to High Needs’ (with J. MacArthur & N. Higgins). Funded by the Ministry of Education New Zealand. Completed 2004.
- ‘Meeting the needs of cross-community children and their families in Northern Ireland’ (with R. Sinclair). Funded by the Research and Development Office, N.I. and completed 2003.
Teaching interests
My teaching interests are: childhood disability, disability studies and social work theory. I am currently the module coordinator for the ‘Theory, Skills and Preparation for Practice Learning’ module.
Publications
Wilson, G. & Kelly, B. (2010) Evaluating the Effectiveness of Social Work Education: Preparing Students for Practice Learning. British Journal of Social Work, 40, 2431–2449.
Connolly, P., Kelly, B. & Smyth, A. (2009) Ethnic Habitus and Young Children: A Case Study of Northern Ireland European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 17, (2), 217 – 232.
Higgins, N., MacArthur, J. & Kelly, B. (2009) Including disabled children at school: Is it really as simple as ‘A, C, D’? International Journal of Inclusive Education, 13, (5).471-487
Milner, P. & Kelly, B. (2009) Community participation and inclusion: people with disabilities defining their place. Disability & Society, Feb. (2)
MacArthur, J., Sharp, S., Kelly, B. & Gaffney, M. (2007) Disabled Children Negotiating School Life: Agency, Difference and Teaching Practice. International Journal of Children’s Rights, 15, 99–120
MacArthur, J., Sharp, S., Kelly, B. & Gaffney, M. (2007) Does it matter that my body is different? Disabled children, impairment, disability and identity. Childrenz Issues, 11, (2), 25-30.
Kelly, B. (2007). Methodological issues for qualitative research involving learning disabled children. International Journal of Social Research Methodology: Theory and Practice, 10, (1), 21-35.
Kelly, B (2005). 'Chocolate… makes you autism': impairment, disability and childhood identities. Disability and Society, 20, (3), 261-275.
Kelly, B. (2005). Social work with disabled children. Childrenz Issues, 9, (1), 22-28.
Kelly, B. & Sinclair, R. (2005). Meeting the needs of children from cross-community families in public care in Northern Ireland Child and Family Social Work, 10, 331-342.
MacArthur, J., Kelly, B. & Higgins, N. (2005). Supporting the learning and social experiences of students with disabilities: What does the research say? In D. Fraser, R. Moltzen & K. Ryba (Ed.s) (3rd Ed.) Learners with special needs in Aotearoa New Zealand . Victoria, N.Z.: Dunmore Press. (p. 49-74).
MacArthur, J. & Kelly, B. (2004) 'I was born with a few disabilities- this does not stop me from trying my best and I give most things a go': Inclusion from the perspectives of students with disabilities. SET: Research Information for Teachers, 2, 44-48.
Sinclair, R., McCole, P. & Kelly, B. (2004), The Views of Young People in Northern Ireland on Anti-Sectarianism. Child Care in Practice, 10, (2), 155-166.
Kelly, B. & Monteith, M. (2003). Supporting disabled children and their families in Northern Ireland: A research and policy review London : National Children's Bureau & Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Kelly, B (2003). Working Together to Support Children who have Intellectual Disabilities and their Families. Childrenz Issues, 7, (2), 50-55.
Kelly, B. & Sinclair, R. (2003). Children from cross-community families in public care in Northern Ireland. London: National Children’s Bureau.
Kelly, B (2002). Young People's Views on Communities and Sectarianism in Northern Ireland Child Care in Practice, 8, (1), 65-73.
Connolly, P., Smith, A. & Kelly, B. (2002). Too Young to Notice: The Cultural and Political Awareness of 3-6 Year Olds in Northern Ireland. Belfast: Community Relations Council in Partnership with Channel 4 Programmes.
Kelly, B., McColgan, M. & Scally, M (2000). 'A Chance to Say - Involving children who have learning disabilities in a pilot study on family support services. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 4, (2), 115 – 127.
Kelly, B. (1999). Teaching Self-Protection Skills. PRACTICE, 11, (1), 43-52. ?
