Personal profile
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51 from 9,087 citations
Last updated 4th June 2026
Biography
Professor Featherstone joined the University of Huddersfield in October 2015 as Professor of Social Work. She has degrees in sociology and social work and worked as a social worker and team manager before becoming an academic. She has an international reputation in the areas of gender, fathers and child protection and has been conferred as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of the excellence of her work and her outstanding contribution to social science. She was rated 49 in a list of the Top 100 Contributors to Social Work in Journal Scholarship in a Global Study on Career Impact in the Profession in 2023.
She was a member of the Child Welfare Inequalities Project Team Child welfare inequalities - University of Huddersfield - this project had major impacts with policymakers in all four countries of the UK, changing the conversation about the role of poverty and inequality in children’s social care. Her research on transforming practices in the area of child protection and domestic abuse has been funded by the Nuffield Foundation in order to impact practice with families Rethinking domestic abuse in child protection: responding differently - Nuffield Foundation
Her co-authored books on Re-imagining Child Protection: towards humane social work with families and Protecting Children: A Social Model have been highly influential and led to invitations to advise on reforming child protection nationally and internationally.
Research Expertise and Interests
- Child Welfare
- Fathers
- Family Support
- Reforming Child Protection
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Family inclusive policy and practice after 'Think Family'
Featherstone, B. (CoI), Tew, J. (PI), Morris, K. (CoI) & White, S. (CoI)
1/12/14 → 30/04/16
Project: Research
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NIHR Perinatal mental health
Howard, L. (PI) & Featherstone, B. (CoI)
1/10/21 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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Navigating surveillance: The experience of prenatal women who use or who are in treatment for using drugs
Radcliffe, P., Smith, E., Lewis, S., Honeybul, L., Gilmour, L., Maxwell, M., Neale, J., Featherstone, B., Utrilla, M. G., Aladangady, N. & Cheyne, H., 1 Jan 2026, In: British Journal of Social Work. 56, 1, p. 86-105 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Epilogue
Marthinsen, E., Serbati, S. & Featherstone, B., 7 May 2025, Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children: European Perspectives on Developments in Child Protection and Welfare. Serbati, S., Marthinsen, E. & Featherstone, B. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 231-233 3 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Introduction
Marthinsen, E., Serbati, S. & Featherstone, B., 7 May 2025, Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children: European Perspectives on Developments in Child Protection and Welfare. Serbati, S., Marthinsen, E. & Featherstone, B. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 1-15 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Foreword/postscript › peer-review
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Reflections on the possibilities and challenges offered by a social model of protecting children
Featherstone, B., Gupta, A. & Morris, K., 7 May 2025, Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children: European Perspectives on Developments in Child Protection and Welfare. Serbati, S., Marthinsen, E. & Featherstone, B. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 19-34 16 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children: European Perspectives on Developments in Child Protection and Welfare
Serbati, S. (Editor), Marthinsen, E. (Editor) & Featherstone, B. (Editor), 7 May 2025, Policy Press. 257 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Activities
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Poverty, child abuse and neglect: Time for a new story
Featherstone, B. (Keynote speaker)
Nov 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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A new social settlement: rights, relationships and recognition
Featherstone, B. (Keynote speaker)
12 Jun 2019Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Protecting children, is it time for a new story?
Featherstone, B. (Keynote speaker)
Jul 2018Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Poverty, inequality and children at risk: The denied link
Bywaters, P. (Speaker), Mason, W. (Speaker) & Featherstone, B. (Invited speaker)
24 Jun 2018Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Poverty-Aware Social Work: The Paradigm and its Challenges
Featherstone, B. (Chair)
24 Jun 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
Press/Media
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Can Dundee contraception scheme break the cycle of children in care?
23/05/19 → 29/05/19
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Engage: New Narrative Required to Acknowledge Impact of Child Poverty on Abuse and Neglect
21/11/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Engage: New Social Work Regulator to Strive for a 'More Clear and Transparent Service'
6/11/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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‘Humane’ Practice Crucial to Successful Social Work, Study Argues
29/10/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Redistributing Care: Why Respite Support should Exist for Struggling Birth Families, Not Just Foster Families
16/10/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment