Dr Hannah Bowden

Okay, so you’re interested to know more…

I currently work, part-time, as a Senior Researcher at The Youthscape Centre for Research and as an Independent Panel Member for a not-for-profit fostering agency. But, how did I get there?

As a young girl, I developed a natural interest in Child Psychology and spent many hours watching Nanny 911 and Tiny Tearaways with Dr Tanya Byron. It was during my A-Levels that I also developed an interest in Sociology and realised my inherent social justice driven motivations.

Following the completion of my A-Levels, I combined my passions by studying BA Education at the University of Birmingham. It was during my undergraduate course that I realised my love for developing my knowledge and thinking critically as I do so.

Throughout my many years at university, I chose to become a ‘professional’ learner and critical thinker in the context of children and young people in the care system.

2013 – 2016: BA Education, University of Birmingham (1st Class Honours). Dissertation Title: A Critical Exploration of the Pupil Premium
Plus and Professional Engagement With This Policy.

2016 – 2017: MA Social Research (Social Policy), University of Birmingham (Distinction)
Dissertation Title: A Scoping Study: What Does the Literature Tell Us About ‘Corporate Parenting’?

2017 – 2022: Education PhD (Pass Without Corrections)
Thesis Title: Mapping the Virtual School Ensemble: The Role of Loss, Grief, Love, and Care.

Following the submission of my PhD, I worked as a Family Support Worker in a secondary school within a deprived community. It was in this role that I solidified my passion for young people and social justice as I provided emotional and practical support to families in need. This practical experience has, without a doubt, developed my skills, empathy, and knowledge as a researcher.

In my current role as a Senior Researcher for a Christian youth work organisation with responsibility for the qualitative research, I am now engaged in developing research proposals, communicating with funders, working with our Ethics Board, carrying out literature reviews, conducting direct research, analysing data, and disseminating research.

My particular skills lie in:

  • Qualitative research
  • Ethnography
  • Thematic analysis
  • Conducting focus groups and interviews