Contact
Areas of expertise
- Looked after children
- Multi-agency working
- Safeguarding
- Child development
- Child rights
- Qualitative research methods
My role
I provide teaching and student support across the Child and Family Studies BA. My publications include international journal articles and textbooks.
Professional experience
I have 20 years’ experience of working with and for children and young people in various roles, most notably as a social worker, education child protection co-ordinator and education co-ordinator for looked after children. My doctoral research focused on better understanding the reasons behind the lower educational outcomes of looked after children.
Research interests
My research interests include the education of looked after children, and multi-agency working.
I am an expert reviewer for the Welsh Government on research bids related to looked after children, and have acted as a guest speaker at various external events such as the improving attainment for looked after children seminar in Edinburgh in May 2019, sponsored by the Scottish Government.
I have presented at several conferences, including at the Canada International Conference on Education in Toronto, 2016, where I won Best Paper for the whole conference.
Qualifications
- Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD): Institutional Habitus and Educational Outcomes of Looked After Children: Complexities and Paradoxes
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
- MA Childhood Studies
- Teacher’s Certificate in Further and Adult Education (City and Guilds 730-7)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Diploma in Social Work
- BA (Hons) Developmental Psychology
Publications
My publications reflect my research interests and include:
- Pinkney, S. & Walker, G. 2020. ‘It was me, but it was them that helped me’: Exploring the issues for care experienced young people within higher education. Children and Youth Services Review. 108
- Walker, G. 2018. Working Together for Children: A Critical Introduction to Multi-agency working. Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury.
- Walker, G. 2017. ‘Children aren’t Standardized, they are Unique’: Using Bourdieu to Expose the Complexity behind Educational Outcomes of Looked-After Children. International Journal of Technology and Inclusive Education. 6(1) 980-988.
- Walker, G. 2017. Beginning to work with other agencies. In: Moyles, J., Georgeson, J. & Payler, J. (eds). Beginning Teaching, Beginning Learning: In early years and primary education. Fifth Edition. Maidenhead, Open University Press/McGraw Hill.
- Murphy, T., Tan, J., Luna, E., Flogueiras Bertomeu, P., Furco, A., Harrison, C., Laurence, P., Martin. D. & Walker, G. 2017. Developing local and international collaborations to enhance the student learning experience through university-community engagements. In: Cozza, B. & Blessinger, P (eds). University Partnerships for Pre-service and Teacher Development. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Ltd.
- Walker G. 2015. Institutional habitus and educational outcomes of looked after children: lessons for teachers. TEAN Journal. 7(1) 51-61.
- Potter, C., Walker, G. & Keen, B. 2012. ‘I am reading to her and she loves it’: benefits of engaging fathers from disadvantaged areas in their children’s early learning transitions. Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development. 1-16; iFirst Article. DOI:10.1080/09575146.2012.666959.
- Potter, C., Walker, G. & Keen, B. 2012. Engaging fathers from disadvantaged areas in children’s early educational transitions: A UK perspective. Journal of Early Childhood Research. 10(2) 209-225.
- Potter C., Walker G. & Keen B. 2012. Engaging Fathers in Early Years Transitions. In: Potter C & Olley R. (eds). Engaging Fathers in the Early Years. 75-88. London: Continuum.
- Jones, P. & Walker, G. (eds). 2011. Children’s Rights in Practice. London: Sage.
- Potter, C., Walker, G. & Keen, B. 2009. Father Involvement in Transitions: Evaluation Feedback Report. Leeds: Leeds Metropolitan University.
- Walker, G. 2009. ‘Safeguarding Children and Adults’. In Warren, S. (ed). Education Studies: Course companion to themes and contexts. London: Continuum.
- Richter, I & Walker, G. 2008. ‘Rhythm, routine and ritual: strategies for collective living among first year students in halls of residence’. In: University life uncovered: making sense of student experience. Monograph published by University of Southampton, The Higher Education Academy Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP).
- Walker, G. 2007. ‘Safeguarding Children: Visions and Values’. In: Moss, D., Tomlinson, P., Jones, P. & Welch, S. (eds). Childhood: Services and Provision for Children. London: Pearson.
- Walker, G. 2007. ‘Mind the Gap: A multi-agency approach to raising the educational attainment of looked after children’. In: Moss, D., Tomlinson, P., Jones, P. & Welch, S. (eds). Childhood: Services and Provision for Children. London: Pearson.