Research Fellow

I joined the Safer Young Lives Research Centre in July 2017 (formerly the International Centre). I currently work in the Contextual Safeguarding team on a number of projects: a UK-wide project titled ‘Securing Safety’ which studies the rate, cost, and impact of ‘out of area’ placements on young people who have experienced extra-familial harm; ‘The Innovate Project’ that explores how, why, and where innovations happen in social care to safeguard adolescents experiencing complex risks using embedded and participatory methods.

I am also co-creating resources alongside practitioners for the Contextual Safeguarding Network website, in addition to delivering training and teaching for the Contextual Safeguarding programme.

I am currently planning future research that explores the applicability of Contextual Safeguarding approaches to European child protection systems, particularly in relation to young people with insecure immigration status, such as unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors and young people who have been trafficked from abroad.

My research focuses on understanding and improving responses to children and young people affected by various forms of extra-familial harm in the UK and abroad, exploring the roles of statutory agencies, voluntary and community organisations, and activist networks, and approaches to strengthening synergies between them. My work is based on ecological principles and seeks to understand and engage with the social conditions of harm experienced by young people and build on the knowledge and strengths of young people and communities to achieve positive change.

Prior to joining the Safer Young Lives Research Centre I was part of The Children's Society Safeguarding and Quality Practice team. Prior to this I was part of CARE International’s Humanitarian Response project team based at the French HQ in Paris.

Qualifications

• MA International Relations (Distinction): International Development, Conflict, and Peace Studies – Sciences Po Lille
• BA Honours Social and Political Sciences (First Class) University of Kent and Sciences Po Lille (Franco-British dual degree)

Teaching role

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Teaching on the University of Bedfordshire’s Contextual Safeguarding and Child Sexual Exploitation MA short courses
• Supervision of undergraduate students

Research Interests

• Children’s rights and social justice
• Innovation and systems change
• Contextual accounts of safety and harm
• International comparative social work
• Forced Migrations and Human Trafficking

Recent Research and Action Projects

• Contextual Safeguarding in Practice: Hackney: embedded researcher on the first pilot systems-wide implementation of Contextual Safeguarding
• Our Voices Too: supporting young people's participation in preventing sexual violence across Europe
• Being Heard: promoting children and young people's involvement in research on sexual violence
• Evaluation of the Police Knowledge Transformation Fund Regional CSE Initiative

Recent Publications

• Cody, C., Bovarnick, S. and Peace, D. (2020) Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence - tensions, challenges and strategies [PDF]. University of Bedfordshire.
• Cody, C., Bovarnick, S. and Peace, D. (2020) Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence - the value [PDF] University of Bedfordshire.
• Cody, C. and Peace, D. (2020) Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence? The rationale and key themes from the literature [PDF]. University of Bedfordshire.
• Cody, C. and Peace, D. (2020) Introduction to the study exploring peer support initiatives for young people who have experienced sexual violence [P{DF]. University of Bedfordshire.
• Peace, D., Maternowska, C., and Pearce, J. (2019) University Network: Children Challenging Sexual Violence. Second briefing paper [PDF]University of Bedfordshire.
• Peace, D. and Pearce, J. (2019) University Network: Children Challenging Sexual Violence. First briefing paper [PDF] University of Bedfordshire.
• Peace, D. and Atkinson, R. (2019) Holistic approaches to safeguarding adolescents [PDF]. University of Bedfordshire.
• Allnock, D. and Peace, D. (2018) Evaluation of the Police Knowledge Transformation Fund Regional CSE Initiative. Home Office and University of Bedfordshire (unpublished).
• Bovarnick, S. with Peace, D. Warrington, C. and Pearce, J. (2018) Being Heard: Promoting Children and Young People’s Involvement in Participatory Research on Sexual Violence [PDF] University of Bedfordshire and SVRI.
• Peace, D. (2018) Responding to safeguarding concerns in local businesses and neighbourhoods [PDF] University of Bedfordshire.

Contact Details

E: delphine.peace@beds.ac.uk