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Professor Jenny Pearce

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Prof Jenny Pearce, Professor of Young People and Public Policy

Director of the Institute of Applied Social Research, Co-director of the International Centre for the Study of Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People, Training Officer - National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People, Chair of the Home Office Advisory Group for the Child Trafficking Advise and Information Helpline (CTAIL)

Teaching Interests

Prof Jenny Pearce

I am interested in the social construction of youth and in studies of youth culture. In particular I focus on young people, sexual exploitation, child protection and domestic violence. I teach research methods that can be used to access and engage with socially excluded young people. I am particularly interested in focusing on the marginalisation of categories of youth.

I draw on teaching methods that engage students in using findings from recent research and in considering the relationship between research, policy and practice.  My research interests focus on accessing young people's accounts of their experiences.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on accessing the young person’s account of their experiences of sexual exploitation. This explores questions of risk and resilience, gender and sexual identity, domestic and interpersonal violence and adolescence, agency and self determination.

As an action researcher, I ensure that my research develops in relationship with policy and practice.  I explore the different research methods that can be used in research with and for young people. This means addressing questions of access, user participation, representation and authenticity of voice.  I work on the Board of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects; as Chair of the National Working Group on Young People and Sexual Exploitation; and with local and national government initiatives advancing the rights and interests of sexually exploited young people.

Publications

Book cover: Young people and sexual exploitation
Books
  • Pearce, J.J. (2009) Young People and Sexual Exploitation: 'It's not hidden, you just aren't looking'. Routledge Falmer.
  • Thom, B., Sales, R., and Pearce, J (Eds) (2007) Growing up with risk Policy Press
Chapters in Books
  • Pearce J. J (2007) ‘Sex, risk and resilience in adolescence’ in Coleman, J. and Hagell, A. Adolescence, Risk and Resilience: against the odds Chichester: John Wiley
  • Pearce J.J (2007) ‘Risk and resilience:  A focus on sexually exploited young people’ in Thom, B. Sales, R and Pearce, J. Growing up with risk Policy Press
  • Pearce, J.J (2006) ‘Finding the ‘I’ in sexual exploitation: hearing the voices of sexually exploited young people in policy and practice’ in Campbell, R and O’Neill. M. Sex Work Now Willan Press: 190-212 ISBN 1-84392-096-4
Book cover: Growing up with Risk
Articles in peer reviewed journals
  • Pearce J.J. (2007) Joint Editor (with Phoenix J) of a Special edition on 'The prostitution strategy; how will it impact on community safety?' 'Editorial': pages 3-7 The Community Safety Journal. ISSN 1477-5883
  • Pearce, J.J. (2006) ‘Who needs to be involved in safeguarding sexually exploited young people?’ and Lowe, K and Pearce J.J. (2006) Editorial Article: Special edition on young people and sexual exploitation Child Abuse Review Vol 15: 289-294 ISSN 0952-9136

Links

Bedfordshire University

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