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Staff Profile

Dr Clare Vaughan

Research Associate

Background

I am a Sociologist with expertise in gender inequality, domestic abuse, housing and youth studies. My research is collaborative and seeks to inform real-world change and create local impact. I am currently based within Architecture, Landscape and Planning (APL) working on a participatory place-based project in Shieldfield called Dwellbeing. Dwellbeing works alongside residents and community members aiming to build relationships, share skills and make public realm improvements. The project uses participatory research and engagement methods to foster activism and help make Shieldfield a better place to live.

I was previously working as a Research Associate on a project seeking to establish a Methodologies Hub within the HASS Faculty. I hold a PhD in Sociology, a MA in Sociology and Social Research and BA in Human Geography and am a member of the Feminist Studies Association.

I have a decade of experience working within the voluntary and community sector in the North East, with a specific interest in education programmes for women and young people. Alongside my research role I also co-deliver a community education and development project in Walker, Newcastle (@EastEndWomen) and am a domestic abuse practitioner.

I was recently named within the Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers of 2021 for my work around poverty prevention in the North East.

Other roles include Grant Evaluator for the la Caixa Foundation and Vice-Chair on the Board of Trustees at the Young Women’s Outreach Project in Gateshead. Prior to this, I was Chair of the local film organisation Cinema Politica Newcastle for 4 years, running monthly educational documentaries and discussions at the Northern Stage theatre. Previous screenings have included 5 Broken Cameras, Granny Power and Out in the Night.

Research

At Newcastle University, I am a Research Assistant on a participatory place-based project in Shieldfield called Dwellbeing. Dwellbeing works alongside residents and community members aiming to build relationships, share skills and make public realm improvements. We use participatory research and engagement methods to foster activism and help make Shieldfield a better place to live.

I am also currently employed as a research consultant on a project entitled: 'Girls in Lockdown' funded by Plan International UK. I am using focus group and online participatory methods to understand the experience of girls and young women living through the pandemic in the North East.

My research interests are primarily focused within two key areas; methodologies and gender equality. Previously, I completed an ESRC-funded Sociology PHD thesis entitled ‘“We all stand together”: young women, homelessness and gender-based violence’. This work offers a feminist perspective on the gendered issue of homelessness and violence against women within the North of England. Throughout this research I volunteered for youth homeless charity Depaul for over 4 years, running weekly debating and communication workshops as part of the national educational program 'Get up and Go'.

Alongside my research post, I co-deliver a local women’s programme (@EastEndWomen) and am a domestic abuse practitioner. I work with local stakeholders and communities to develop and deliver education, training and recovery programmes to women in the East End of Newcastle. In addition to this I jointly founded and established the East End Women foodbank, recently recognised within the Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers of 2021. I am responsible for sourcing ongoing funding for these activities and have a successful track record of securing large grants to the collective value of over £250,000.

My research interests and experience include:

·         Feminist research methods

·         Creative methods

·         Participatory methods

·         Gender inequality and youth work

·         Domestic abuse

·         Gender-based violence

·         Women and young people’s sexual health

·         Food poverty and foodbanks

·         Housing

·     Community Organising & Activism

·     Public realm improvements

·         Homelessness

Teaching

I have previously taught on the following undergraduate and postgraduate modules at Newcastle University:

·         Thinking about Research

·         Researching Social Life

·         Regulating Sexuality

·         PARTNERS Sociology Summer School

·         Politics & Society

I have also provided ad-hoc training and workshops to communities and professionals on subjects including:

·         Identifying coercive control

·         Trauma-informed housing

·         Freedom Programme domestic abuse recovery course

Publications