Dr Steve Spencer

Senior lecturer

I have been teaching in varied contexts since 1982 in Australia and the UK, including teaching theoretical issues in media, communication and social science, vocational teaching in further education. and the design and delivery of courses for industrial clients.

I have worked at Sheffield Hallam University since 1998. My background in cultural and media studies enabled me to develop and contribute to modules for sociology which have a focus on social identity, issues of ethnicity, cultural processes, and forms of representation.

My masters by Research (La Trobe University 1994) was an examination of the persistent effects of colonialism and divisive ethnic nationalism in a Caribbean country. I have published several books and many articles, including the sole-authored text, Race and Ethnicity: Culture, Identity and Representation (2006) which examines cultural and political theorizing of ‘race’ and ethnicity in different global contexts.

More recent work has included research-informed approaches to teaching and the use of visual methods to enhance understandings of social reality. I have developed several video sequences for use in teaching and learning including Under the Skin, an examination of multiculturalism (with Keith Radley) 'Framing the Fringe Dwellers a video portrait of the issues facing urban indigenous people in Australia and Identities in Transition: Five African Canadian Women Discuss Identity (with Lloyd Samuels). Another text book Visual Methods in the Social Sciences: Awakening Visionsis due by the end of 2010.

I am committed to engaging students in complex social issues in ways that draw upon their everyday lives, and encouraging them to become part of an innovative research culture.

Karl Baker-Green

Senior lecturer

I have taught in further and higher education for many years with a background in sociology and criminology. I began teaching at Sheffield Hallam University in 2002 and since then have taught on a variety of modules including research methods in the social sciences, social science foundations, research theory and practice and the sociological perspective.

I find teaching and learning occurs best when it is 'ituated'. That is, when the issues under discussion have meaning in a real context, which helps students to place ideas and concepts in the real world.

terms of research, I am currently undertaking PhD research looking at the effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on the social and economic regeneration of a former mining community. My particular interests are focussed around the digital divide debate and looking at the internet as a source of crime.

Dr Julia Hirst

Senior lecturer

With a background in education, sociology and public health, I’m a teacher and researcher with a passionate interest in sexualities, gender, health and young people. I lead undergraduate and postgraduate modules on these areas and I’m committed to teaching approaches which help us understand these subjects in relation to our everyday lives and life chances.

I’m a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, visiting international research fellow at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Faculty lead on public health, research lead on sexualities, health and youth in the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research; external examiner for Napier Edinburgh University, and Sheffield Hallam University’s Partner Governor for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Foundation Trust. I review papers and research applications for various academic journals and funding bodies and have submitted to successive Research Assessment Exercises.

Ruth Barley

Lecturer

Ruth Barley is a sociology lecturer in the Faculty of Development and Society with research interests in diversity and inclusion. She is also currently working towards her PhD looking at how children from ethnically diverse backgrounds make friends when they first start school.

Ruth's teaching and research interests lie in the following areas
• diversity - particularly ethnicity, language, culture and class
• equality and inequality
• social inclusion/exclusion
• identity
• qualitative research methods – particularly ethnographic methods

Ruth currently teaches on a number of research method, diversity and social theory modules at undergraduate level and is part of the team involved with the MA in Public Health. Ruth is interested in supporting dissertation students who are interested in exploring issues of ethnic and cultural diversity using qualitative methods. This can be in relation to a number of different areas such as education, health, multiculturalism.

Prior to joining the sociology department Ruth worked as a researcher with the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research (CEIR) for two and a half years, where she was involved in a number of different educational research projects. As well as her research work within CEIR Ruth also has links with the Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CHSCR). She is currently working with CHSCR on a Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded project looking at ethnic diversity in UK social research and still maintains strong links with CEIR.

Selected publications
• Salway S, Allmark P, Barley R, Higginbottom G, Gerrish K, Ellison G (2010) Researching Ethnic Inequalities. In Social Research Update Number 58, March 2010

• Barley, R. and Salway, S. (2009) Social research for our multi-ethnic society: are researchers adequately trained and supported? Social Research Association Newsletter September, 2009.

• Barley R (2009) University of Leeds Case Study: Linking outward and inward mobility. For UKCISA.

Barley R (2009) Leeds Metropolitan University Case Study: Linking outward and inward mobility. For UKCISA.

Tang N, Nollent A, Barley R, Wolstenholme C (2009) Linking outward and inward mobility - how raising the international horizons of UK students enhances the international student experience on the UK campus commissioned by UKCISA

Salway S, Allmark P, Barley R, Higginbottom G, Gerrish K, Ellison G (2009) Social research for a multiethnic population: do the research ethics and standards guidelines of UK Learned Societies address this challenge? In Twenty-First Century Society Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences Vol 4, Issue 1, Feb 2009

Dr Gary Taylor

Principal lecturer

I have been teaching in higher education for over 20 years, during which time I have lectured in politics, sociology, social policy, history and journalism. Although I began my career with a specialist interest in political theory, my teaching and research interests are quite broad and continue to develop in new directions.

I currently teach a number of modules on work and professional development, crime and the media and class and the media. I am particularly interested in the social content of film and how the media help to construct the way we view social and political life.

I am active in research and scholarship. I have written a number of books on social and political theory, social policy, the media and on health care. I have a particular interest in the use of theoretical frameworks to explore social and political issues and I find maintaining a diverse research portfolio both challenging and stimulating.

I feel that the sociology and politics we teach should be engaging, innovative and focus upon understanding contemporary society. Through exploring ways to understand society, I believe we can equip our students with skills necessary to work and participate effectively in diverse communities.

I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and hold a teaching fellowship at Sheffield Hallam University.