Senior Research Fellow

I first came to the University of Bedfordshire in 1994, and worked as a full-time researcher – and part-time PhD student - in the Department of Applied Social Studies until 2003.

I then left to work first at Birkbeck College and then the National Children’s Bureau.

I returned to the University in 2007 to work part-time as a researcher in the Institute of Applied Social Research, followed by some time in Education Studies and a return to the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (formerly the International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking).

Qualifications

• MA (Hons Sociology) University of Aberdeen 1993
• PhD (University of Luton) 1999
  • Thesis title: Re-defining the problem: The exclusion from school of children living in children's homes.

Teaching Expertise

• I have taught at all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, from access courses to doctoral study.
• I have experience of examining PhDs externally, and was external examiner for the MA Child Studies programme at King’s College, University of London (2014-2018). I provide annual guest lectures to King’s College and Middlesex University.
• I provide teaching input to undergraduate and MA taught units, and the Professional Doctorate in Children and Young People’s Services.
• I have supervised eight Professional Doctorates and two PhDs to successful completion. I am currently Director of Studies for two doctoral students, and second supervisor for a further student.

Research Interests

I am an experienced researcher and have worked on a wide range of research projects relating to different aspects of child welfare, including children and young people in care, education, youth offending, safeguarding and child exploitation.  I am experienced in applying a variety of research methods and approaches.

• Children in need and children in care
• Educational experiences of children in need and children in care
• Child exploitation, especially as this affects children in care
• Children missing from and excluded from school
• Research methodology in applied research, including evaluation.

Research Projects (Last Five Years)

External Roles

• Local and national presentations relating to research interests identified above
• Reviewer, Child Abuse Review; Safer Communities; Child and Family Social Work; Children and Society

Internal Roles

• I co-ordinate postgraduate research students within the Institute of Applied Social Research
• I am a member of the research institute ethics panel for the Institute of Applied Social Research
• I co-ordinate a Masters unit on CSE and short courses on CSE to external partners.

Publications (Last Five Years)

• Racher, A. and Brodie, I. (2020) Joining the dots? Tackling child exploitation during Covid-19. Journal of Children's Services.
• Allen, K., Botcherby, S., Brodie, I., Holmes, D., Preston, O, and Trend, L. (2020) The CSA Centre: Final Evaluation Report. Available at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/about-us/the-csa-centre-evaluation/
• Brodie, I. (2018) The Level Trust Project: Final Report. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
• Brodie, I. and Pearce, J. (2017) ‘Violence against children in alternative care in alternative care internationally: reviewing the evidence’, Psychology, Health and Medicine, 22, 1, special issue.
• Warrington, C. and Brodie, I. (2017) ‘Developing participatory practice and culture in CSE services’ in H. Beckett and J. Pearce (eds) Understanding and Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation. London: Routledge.
• Brodie, I., D'Arcy, K., Harris, J.P., Roker, D., Shuker, L. and Pearce, J.J., 2016. The participation of young people in child sexual exploitation services: A scoping review of the literature. University of Bedfordshire.
• Brodie, I. (2016) ‘Vulnerable children in the early years’ in E. Slaughter (ed) Quality Practice in the Early Years. Sage.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 743040
E: isabelle.brodie@beds.ac.uk
Office: P1.15 Bedford campus
Office hours: Tuesdays 2-3pm and Thursdays 9.30-11.30am (or by appointment)