Biography

Richards first degree in sociology was followed by a Master's in criminology. His Doctorate focused upon the role of language in human services with a particular focus upon the policy and practice responses of welfare services to speakers of minority languages. He is a qualified social worker and has worked as a residential and field worker in the UK and the USA.

Richard has extensive links with academics and practitioners in other countries. He has been a visiting lecturer and researcher at the University of South Australia, at Toronto and York Universities in Canada, at the University of Kuopio in Finland, and at the University of Arizona in Phoenix. He is an Editorial Advisory Committee member for the international journal Rural Social and Community Practice, an international advisor to the Spanish social work journal, Portularia, and is also a reviewer and advisor to several British publishers and has acted in these capacities for both the Home Office and the Department of Health.

Research and scholarship

Since joining Keele in 2000 Richard’s research includes:

  • an evaluation of a family group conferencing pilot scheme
  • a national study for the Wales Office of Research and Development into patterns of variation in registration upon local authority child protection registers
  • a feasibility study looking at training asylum seekers and refugees to become professional interpreters
  • a qualitative exploration of the experience of black and ethnic minority social services staff of racism in their work.

Richard is extensively involved with Making Research Count (MRC), an national organisation directed to the dissemination of research and the development of research capacity among practitioners. He was the Chair of the National Committee in 2006/7 and is the local chair of Making Research Count at Keele.. He has published extensively on a range of issues, including: child protection; minority language policy and provision; general social theory (e.g. globalisation, citizenship); and rural social work.

Publications

  • Pugh, R. (2007) Dual relationships: professional and personal boundaries in rural communities, British Journal of Social Work, 37, pp. 1405 - 1423.
  • Pugh, R.  (2007) Variations in registration on child protection registersBritish Journal of Social Work, 37, 1, pp. 5-21.
  • Pugh, R, Scharf, T and Williams, C (2007) Obstacles to Using and Providing Rural Social Care, Research Briefing 22, Social Care Institute for Excellence, London.
  • Greene, R., Pugh, R. and Roberts, D. (2008) Black and minority ethnic parents with mental health problems and their children, Research Briefing 29, Social Care Institute for Excellence, London.
  • Ray, M., Pugh, R. with Roberts, D. and Beech, B (2008) Mental health and Social Work, Research Briefing 26, Social care Institute of Excellence, London.

Selected Publications

  • Pugh R and Cheers B. 2010. Rural Social Work: International Perspectives. Bristol: Policy Press.
  • Greene RPRARD. 2008. Black and minority ethnic parents with mental health problems and their children. link>
  • Ray MPRWRDABB. 2008. Mental health and Social Work. link>
  • Pugh RSTAWC. 2007. Obstacles to Using and Providing Rural Social Care. link>
  • Pugh R. 2007. Rurality and the Probation Service. Probation Service Journal, vol. 54(2), 145-159.

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