Dr Gemma Yarwood
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My profile
Biography
Gemma is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology in Dept of Sociology. She has 20 years experience of research and lecturing in the broad areas of social justice, substance (mis)use, applied social care research and critical criminological theory. She has practice experience of working with people (and their families) with experience of substance (mis)use and the criminal justice system.
She has written many publications including: journal articles; website content; book chapters; reports for various organisations, local authorities and national charities.
She was a founding member of both national and international substance use and associated behaviours (SUAB) networks.
Current and recent research projects include;
*Through the Prison Gate: Holding Families Plus Project. Source: Public Health England, Department of Work and Pensions and Early Break. Principal Investigator.
*Developing A New Model Of Care For People With Problematic Substance Use And End Of Life Care Needs Source: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Co-Investigator, Qualitative Research Lead.
*End of life care and substance use - mixed methods across 6 research strands. Source: The Big Lottery Fund Co-Investigator, Family Work Package Lead.
Research Methods
Gemma uses mixed methods but has expertise in qualitative participatory research with people with experiences (PWEs) of the substance use and criminal justice. Gemma’s research designs include PWEs, families, key informants, policy agents and practitioners. Gemma is experienced in leading, managing and undertaking research for funding councils, statutory and non-statutory organisations in the field of applied health and social care.
Selected Recent Publications
McVeigh, J., Chandler, M.D., and Yarwood, G. (In Press 2021) ‘Chapter 6: Exercise and the use of image & performance enhancing drugs within the gym environment’. In : O. Corazza and H Bowden- Jones (ed) From exercise to addiction: The fitspirational era of image and performance enhancement. Cambridge University Press.
Wright, S. and Yarwood, G. (In Press 2021) ‘Chapter 13: When long-term recovery isn’t an option: people at the end of life’. In: Galvani, S., Roy, A., and Clayson, A. Long-term recovery from substance use: International perspectives. Policy Press: Bristol.
Higgs, P, Yarwood, G, Webb, L and Witham, G and Galvani, S (2020) Highlighting the palliative care needs of people using drugs. Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research. ISSN 1322-7696
Galvani, S. and Yarwood, G. (2019) ‘Chapter 21: End-of-Life Care: alcohol and other drugs.’ In: D. Cooper (ed.) Palliative care within mental health: ethical practice. Book 3. London: Routledge
Witham, G., Yarwood, G., Wright, S., and Galvani, S. (2019). An ethical exploration of the narratives surrounding substance use and pain management at the end of life: a discussion paper. Nursing Ethics
Words of wisdom
If you’re thinking about learning with us, spend time preparing and reading around the topics of criminal justice, substance use etc, Observe some criminology in action yourself by volunteering at a cjs charity, visiting a local court, speaking to practitioners such as police, probation officers, substance use services etc. Hopefully, it will inspire you and bring your studies to life. And not forgetting, keep up to date with current affairs as things never stand still in our field so you need to keep your finger on the pulse.
Academic and professional qualifications
PhD Social Psychology,
BSc Hons Sociology
Other academic service (administration and management)
Strategic Partnership Lead: Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust & Manchester Met University 2016-2019
A partnership to accelerate improvements in community and mental health care
External examiner roles
External Examiner on Joint Honours BA Society - Contemporary Health Studies, Northumbria University
External Examiner of BA (Hons) Integrated Health and Social Care, Northumbria University
Expert reviewer for external funding bodies
I am a NIHR peer review for clinical research network for grants and bids
Community, charity and NGO links
Community Research Award: Partners of Prisoners
Government and industry links
Exemplary researcher award - July 2016 Manchester Metropolitan University.
Community Research Award - Partners of Prisoners Research Project 2017
Expert reviewer for external funding bodies
NIHR peer review for clinical research network for grants and bids
Editorial Board membership
International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities
Reviewer
International Journal for Harm Reduction.
Community, Work and Family
Feminism and Psychology
Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research
Impact
REF 2021 assessment Submitted Impact case study Unit of Assessment: C20 Social Work and Social Policy
Title of case study: Improving and developing care for people using substances: supporting professionals and marginalised communities.
Projects
- Partners of Prisoners Project Community Research Award
- Malaysian Young Leaders - Transnational Professional Practice: Partnership developing core leadership and professional skills. Students participate in a seminar with Dr Gemma Yarwood “Back home there is a distance between the professor and the students. Here, we were encouraged to participate and be involved in the lesson,” added masters Psychology student Yusri Bin Satan. “The learning and teaching environment here is totally different, I love it. Being able to voice your opinion and be confident that your ideas matter is amazing.” http://www.mmu.ac.uk/news/news-items/3315/
- Norwegian Education & Research Partnership https://www.hisf.no/nn/node/1242#.Vxn8AoUrLIU
- EU-Hungary Leadership and management training: Project spearheaded by Dr Gemma Yarwood and Dr Jenny Fisher, 280 Hungarian care professionals enhanced leadership and management skills. http://www.mmu.ac.uk/news/news-items/2989/
Teaching
Why do I teach?
I enjoy bringing teaching to life with real world examples from my research and practice experience. I see my teaching legacy as giving students a feel for criminology in practice: what it’s like, what’s important and how we can make a difference to other peoples’ lives. One of the best parts of teaching is inviting alumni graduates back in as visiting speakers, it really motivates existing students to develop employability skills.
How I’ll teach you
I’m approachable, supportive and try to make learning interesting. My aim is to prepare students for the real world so they become independent critical thinkers.
I teach using a variety of methods and like to keep up to date with teaching and learning technologies.
Postgraduate teaching
I teach on the MA in Applied Criminology. Previous Postgraduate teaching includes MA in Health and Social care. MSc in Practitioner Research,
Supervision
I supervise a range of PhD students which presently include:
An Interpretive Phenomenological analysis of South Asian families intergenerational care practices and expectations.
Hands up and hand-outs: an exploration of participation in voluntary welfare provision in relation to individual and community resilience in contexts of austerity and social exclusion: Using IPA in an ethnographic study.
Kinship care and parental substance use: developing responsive and effective services: A Co-prodcutive participatory study. (VC awarded Scholarship Funding)
Parental substance use, child protection and social work responses: A qualitative study using grounded theory.
Exploring reasons for clients’ non-attendance of appointment at a community-based alcohol service: clients’ and practitioners’ perspectives. Mixed Methods study.
Research outputs
Gemma uses mixed methods but has expertise in qualitative participatory research with people with experiences (PWEs) of the substance use and criminal justice. Gemma’s research designs include PWEs, families, key informants, policy agents and practitioners. Gemma is experienced in leading, managing and undertaking research for funding councils, statutory and non-statutory organisations in the field of applied health and social care.
Current research projects
*Through the Prison Gate: Holding Families Plus Project. Source: Public Health England, Department of Work and Pensions and Early Break. Principal Investigator.
*Developing A New Model Of Care For People With Problematic Substance Use And End Of Life Care Needs Source: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Co-Investigator, Qualitative Research Lead.
*End of life care and substance use - mixed methods across 6 research strands. Source: The Big Lottery Fund Co-Investigator, Family Work Package Lead.
*Partners of Prisoners - mixed methods project. Principal Investigator, Community Research Award
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
Witham, G., Galvani, S., Wright, S., Yarwood, G. (2022) Substance Use, End-of-Life Care and Multiple Deprivation Practice and Research. London: Routledge.
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Chapters in books
Yarwood, G., McVeigh, J., chandler, M.D. 'Exercise and the use of image & performance enhancing drugs within the gym environment..' The body in the mind. Cambridge university press,
McVeigh, J., Chandler, M., Yarwood, G.A. (2023) 'Exercise and the use of image- and performance-enhancing drugs within the gym environment.' In Corazza, O., Dores, A.R. (ed.) The Body in the Mind: exercise addiction, body image and the use of enhancement drugs. Cambridge University Press, pp. 121-136.
McVeigh, J., Bates, G., Yarwood, G.A. (2022) 'The use of anabolic androgenic steroids as a public health issue.' In Henning, A., Andreasson, J. (ed.) Doping in Sport and Fitness. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 71-91.
Webb, L. (2022) 'Improving end of life care for people with co-existing mental health and substance use.' In Witham, G., Galvani, S., Wright, S., Yarwood, G.A. (ed.) Substance Use, End of Life Care and Multiple Deprivation: practice and research. London: Routledge, pp. 91-104.
Wright, S., Galvani, S., Yarwood, G.A. (2022) 'Seeing the common ground: family and practitioner caregivers’ perspectives of palliative care for people using substances.' In Witham, G., Galvani, S., Wright, S., Yarwood, G.A. (ed.) Substance Use, End of life care and Multiple Deprivation: practice and research. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 42-58.
Wright, S., Yarwood, G. (2022) 'When long-term recovery isn’t an option: people at the end of life.' In Galvani, S., Roy, A., Clayson, A. (ed.) Long-Term Recovery from Substance Use: European perspectives. Policy Press, pp. 170-182.
Galvani, S.A., Yarwood, G. (2018) 'End of life care: alcohol and other drugs.' In Cooper, D.B., Cooper, J. (ed.) Palliative care within mental health: ethical practice. Routledge,
Yarwood, G. (2014) 'Embodying Womanhood? Doing Pregnancy, Doing Research.' In Pilińska, A., Siganporia, H. (ed.) ‘All Equally Real’: Femininities and Masculinities Today. Inter-Disciplinary Press,
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Reports
Galvani, S., Wright, S., Witham, G., Webb, L., Yarwood, G., Clayson, A. (2023) Executive Summary: Will a new approach to end-of-life care for people who use substances improve their access to, and experience of, palliative and end-of-life care?. Manchester Metropolitan University.
Galvani, S., Webb, L., Yarwood, G., Wright, S., Witham, G., Clayson, A. (2023) Will a new approach to end-of-life care for people who use substances improve their access to, and experience of, palliative and end-of-life care?. Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University.
Templeton, L., Yarwood, G., Wright, S., Galvani, S. (2018) Experiences of families, friends and carers: End of Life Care for People with Alcohol and Drug Problems. Research Briefing No. 4. Manchester Metropolitan University.
Wright, S.J., Yarwood, G., Templeton, L., Galvani, S. (2018) End of life care for people with alcohol and other drug problems. Secondary analysis of interviews with family members, friends and carers bereaved through a relative’s substance use.. Manchester Metropolitan University.
Yarwood, G.A., Wright, S., Templeton, L., Galvani, S. (2018) End of Life care for people with alcohol and other drug problems: Qualitative analysis of primary interviews with family members, friends and carers.. Manchester Metropolitan University.
Yarwood, G., Webb, L., Hammond, N., Gray, P.M. (2017) Evaluation report of families experiences of Partners of Prisoners (POPs) prison-based visitor centre services. Manchester Metropolitan University.
wright, S., yarwood, G., templeton, L., galvani, S. (2017) Secondary analysis report of interviews with family members, friends and carers bereaved through a relative’s substance use.
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Internet publications
galvani, S., tetley, J., haigh, C., webb, L., ashby, J., whitam, G., peacock, M., wright, S., templeton, L., duncan, F. End of life care for people with alcohol and other drug problems: an exploratory study Supportive and Palliative Care 6(3):392.2-393 · September 2016.
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Journal articles
Webb, L., Yarwood, G., Witham, G., Wright, S., Galvani, S. (2024) 'Providing holistic end-of-life care for people with a history of problem substance use: a mixed methods cohort study of interdisciplinary service provision and integrated care.' BMC Palliative Care, 23(1)
Higgs, P., Yarwood, G. (2020) 'Highlighting the palliative care needs of people using drugs.' Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research, 27(5) pp. 581-582.
Witham, G., Yarwood, G., Wright, S., Galvani, S. (2019) 'An ethical exploration of the narratives surrounding substance use and pain management at the end of life: a discussion paper.' Nursing Ethics, 27(5) pp. 1344-1354.
Witham, G., Yarwood, G., Wright, S., Galvani, S. (2019) 'Troubling the narratives surrounding substance use and pain management at the end of life: “It’s just drug seeking behaviour isn’t it?”.' Nursing Ethics,
Locke, A., Yarwood, G.A. (2016) 'Exploring the depths of gender, parenting and ‘work’: critical discursive psychology and the ‘missing voices’ of involved fatherhood".' Community, Work and Family, 20(1) pp. 4-18.
Yarwood, G.A., Locke, A. (2015) 'Work, parenting and gender: the care–work negotiations of three couple relationships in the UK.' Community, Work and Family, 19
Yarwood, G.A. (2015) 'Family Troubles? Exploring Changes and Challenges in the Family Lives of Children and Young People.' BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, 45(3)
Yarwood, G.A. (2013) 'Talking about the personal: a pregnant researcher's experience of studying working parents in the UK.' Families, Relationships and Societies, 2(3) pp. 441-455.
Yarwood, G.A. (2012) 'Making Modern Mothers.' FEMINISM & PSYCHOLOGY, 22(4) pp. 559-561.
Yarwood, G.A. (2011) 'The Pick and Mix of Fathering Identities.' Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers, 9(2) pp. 150-168.
Fisher, J., Yarwood, G. (2008) 'Connecting not competing with others: raising awareness of wellbeing.' Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, 128(3) pp. 110-111.
Yarwood, G.A., Fisher, J.C. (2008) 'Connecting Not Competing with Others: Raising Awareness of Wellbeing.' Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health,, 128
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Other
Galvani, S., Tetley, J., Haigh, C., Webb, L., Ashby, J., Witham, G., Peacock, M., Wright, S., Templeton, L., Duncan, F. (2016) Hear me now: Family experiences of end of life care for people using alcohol and drugs.
Press and media
Media appearances or involvement
The Future of Social Care: National Carers week (2015) Pure FM Radio