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Wendy

£62/hr

Social Science Doctor: Empowering Minds 4 Academic + Personal Growth!

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Sherpa's Summary

Wendy is a highly experienced and dedicated teacher of Sociology for GCSE, A Level and Degree. She is is an expert at supporting and motivating neurodiverse students and is passionate about helping students to overcome obstacles.

A bit about Wendy

With over 16 years of experience teaching and leading in Higher Education across Social Science disciplines, including Sociology, Health and Social Care, and Criminology up to the Master's level, I also supported PhD candidates throughout their academic journeys. I was the Programme Leader for BSc Sociology between 2018 and 2023. My background includes a PhD in Social Policy focusing on Young People and Participation, a BA (Hons) in Community & Youth Work Studies, and a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate (PGCAP). I am honoured to be a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2021, I was recognised with the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Fellowship Award for my exceptional work engaging students in innovative social projects. Before my academic pursuit, I dedicated over a decade to being a qualified Youth and Community Worker. During this time, I served as a board member of New Deal for Communities, advocating for the empowerment of young people in their local communities. Shortly before the commencement of my PhD scholarship, I played a key role in establishing a homelessness project within my local area. In my approach to teaching and learning, I prioritise a student-centred approach anchored in transparency, honesty, and integrity. I am committed to empowering learners and devising personalised learning strategies, dedicated to eliminating barriers to participation in education. As a senior lecturer in social sciences, I've designed and taught many core modules mandatory for students studying sociology, health and social care, and criminology. These include social inequalities, social policy, qualitative research methods, and dissertations. In addition to this, I've been the module leader for Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, Spaces for Reflective Practice, Gender and the Family, Youth Justice, 'Race' and Society, Managing Organisational Change, History of Youth and Community Work, and Substance Use and Misuse. I've supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in these areas, from green criminology to single parents, poverty, mental health, class, and politics. I have taught and provided placements for Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE/PGCertEd) students and supported several successful graduate applications for funded PhD positions at Northumbria and Durham Universities. Aside from my teaching responsibilities, I've held several other roles. For example, as the Social Studies Team Lead for Teaching and Learning, I designed and delivered staff training on innovative teaching methods. I mentored academic tutors, new staff and new program leaders. As a chair and panel member of the Post Graduate Research Support, I helped redirect new PhD candidates in their application and annual reviews and have been a part of Vivas. I was also a member and reviewer for the University Ethics Panel and an observer for the College of Learning and Teaching Review, which evaluates teaching practice across the University. As the Social Studies Team Lead for Marketing and Recruitment, I've developed numerous taster sessions for A-level and college students. These sessions cover exciting topics like Well-being, Homelessness, Covid, and Politics. During these sessions, I've also helped support and guide students with their A-levels and university applications. Finally, my research interests are all about The Youth Question, Youth Subcultures, Social Policy, Participation and Democracy. If you have any questions about this, please let me know! Qualifications: 2017. Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Sunderland. 2013. Ph.D. in Social Policy, University of Sunderland. 2005. BA (Hons) Community & Youth Work Studies, University of Sunderland. 1998. Youth Work Certificate, City of Sunderland Local Authority. Certificates: - 2021. Foundations of Performance Management, LinkedIn Learning. - 2021. Having Difficult Conversations, LinkedIn Learning. - 2021. Fire Safety E-learning, University of Sunderland. - 2019. Equality and Diversity, University of Sunderland. - 2015. Money Healthy You, University of Sunderland. - 2012. Promoting Emotional Resilience, Mind. - 2012. Motivational Interviewing and Cycle of Change, NECA. - 2012. Brief Intervention Training (Smoking Cessation), NHS. - 2012. Level 1 Alerter Training, Sunderland Safeguarding Partnership. - 2012. Level 2 Responsible Person Training, Sunderland Safeguarding Partnership. Accomplishments: - 2021. Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Fellowship Award. Affiliations: - 2019. Senior Higher Education Academy. - 2018. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Publications: Peacock, D, Macdonald, S. J, Podd, W. and Cosgrove, F. (2022). 'We capture their comments before we leave the station': Service user involvement in the delivery of Appropriate Adult Schemes.', Social Work and Social Sciences Review. Macdonald, S.J., Peacock, D., Cosgrove, F. & Podd, W. (2020). ‘The Silence': Examining the missing voices of disabled people within Police custody services. DISABILITY AND SOCIETY. Peacock, D. Cosgrove, F. and Podd, W. (2019). 'Service User Participation in the Delivery of Appropriate Adult Services' at National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) National Conference: Bristol Feb 27. Podd, W (2010). Youth Participation, in Davies, B. and Batseel, J. What is Youth Work? London: Sage Publications. Conferences: Podd, W, Cunningham, J, Duffy, E, Forrest, C, Slesser, J and Udale, S (2022). Sociology NORTH: Developing Reflective Spaces for Social Action. In: Three Rivers Learning and Teaching Conference: Engaging Students, Building Communities, 29th June 2022, Online. (Unpublished). Peacock, D, Macdonald, S, Cosgrove, F and Podd, W (2021). Examining the missing voices of disabled people in police custody. In: BSC Annual Conference 2021 Crime and Harm: Social and Global Justice Challenges, June 28th - July 1st, Virtual Conference. (Unpublished). Podd, W (2019). Little Girls Should Be Seen and Not Heard: You always ask why. Punk Pedagogies Symposium Lincoln. (Unpublished). Podd, W (2017). Participation; Beyond New Labour. CASS Faculty Lecture Series. Faculty of Education and Society, University of Sunderland. (Unpublished). Podcasts: Podd. W (2023). In conversation with CAREERS: Dr Wendy Podd. JCOSS Sound Sociology. Available, https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jcoss-sociology/episodes/In-conversation-with-CAREERS-Dr-Wendy-Podd-e1fl5vh/a-a7ilk42. Podd. W (2021). What can you do with a Sociology qualification My teaching style is based on two-way conversations, meaning I listen to my students and try to identify any barriers or challenges they may face. I believe external factors often hinder education rather than the student's ability. Therefore, I strive to address these issues and provide support to help my students succeed. For the past 17 years, I have been teaching my students using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). This approach involves using real-world examples, case studies, and tasks to explore theory, policy, and practice issues. By drawing upon research evidence and empowering students to participate in creating their knowledge, PBL promotes deep learning instead of surface learning, where students memorise concepts to pass a test. The primary benefit of PBL is that it allows students to discover what learning techniques work best for them and puts them in control of their education. By developing their learning systems rather than following enforced ones, students acquire life-long skills they can use daily. Source: Baden-Savin (2000). Problem-Based Learning in Higher Education: Untold stories. McGraw-Hill Education.

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Teaches

Subject Rate
Sociology
Level
GCSE
 £62/hr
Sociology
Level
A-Level
 £62/hr
Sociology
Level
Degree
 £62/hr

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