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Professor Amanda Taylor-Beswick

  • Professor of Digital and Social Sciences
  • Institute of Health
  • Science
Profile picture for Amanda Taylor-Beswick

Biography

I am a digital social scientist with interests spanning a range of socio-technological intersections, including the future of work / professional competencies in health, social care, and education disciplines, with a particular emphasis on the digitalisation of higher education and graduate preparedness. An award-winning and well published academic recognised for leading critical and ethical discourse in digitalisation, and the development of pedagogic approaches that supports the progression of information and media literacies for academics, students, and practitioners already practising in their respective fields. An impactful educator leading transformational digital policy and practice change within a range of professional groupings. A qualified social worker by professional background, with extensive practice experience in psychiatric social work and work with d/Deaf children and families.

Qualifications and memberships

Teaching and innovation awards: 

2024 UoC Vice Chancellor’s Award for contributions made to the university
2022 QUB AHSS Faculty Digital Awards – Digital Learning Champion of the Year finalist
2022 QUB AHSS Faculty Digital Awards – Highest nominations in all six categories
2020 UK EdTech50 2020
2018 Female UK GovTech Top3 Leader
2018 Most Influential Women in UK EdTech List
2016 SU We Heart U Award UCLan
2015 JISC Top50 Social Media Innovators in Higher Education UK
2014 Student Tutor of the Year Award SU Awards UCLan
2013 THE AWARDS for Most Innovative Teacher Nomination
2013 National Claim to Fellowship Teaching Award Nomination
2013 SU Golden Roses – Most Innovative Teacher of the Year Award UCLan
2012 Community Care National Survey Award - The Top #socialcare60
2011 Vice Chancellors Awards for Outstanding Practice in Teaching & Learning. Awarded:
Excellence in teaching delivery and intellectual stimulation of students UCLan
2011 School of Social Work Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning UCLan

Academic and research interests

Accepting PhD's:

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6320-5618
Google Scholar: https://shorturl.at/JHn0b

Publications

Books:

  • Taylor-Beswick, A. M. L and Hornung, E. Doing Phenomenography: A Practical Guide. 30,000 words., Bristol: Policy Press, September 2024.
  • Kellsey, D. and Taylor, Amanda M. L. The Learning Wheel: A Model of Digital Pedagogy. 88 pages., St Albans: Critical Publishing, 2016.

Chapters of books:

  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. (2025) Social Work in and for the future, forthcoming in Social Work in the 21st Century: The Challenges of a Digital World, Springer [need full reference]
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. (2025) forthcoming social work encyclopaedia entry [need full reference]
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. (2025) forthcoming book groups in social work education [need full reference]
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. (2025) forthcoming digital development in social work [need full reference]
  •  Romero, M., Frosig, T., Taylor-Beswick, A. M.L., Laru, J., Bernasco, B., Urmeneta, A., Strutynska, O., Girard, M. ‘Manifesto in Defense of Human-Centred Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.’ In Urmeneta, A. and Romero, M. (eds) 1st Creative Application of Artificial Intelligence in Education. France :Palgrave Macmillan, due June 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Technology Assisted Child Sexual Abuse.’ In Clawson, R., Warwick, L. and Fyson, R. (eds) 4th The Child Protection Handbook, London: Elsevier, April 2024.
  • Campbell, A., Millen, S., Taylor-Beswick, A. M. L. and Guo, Li. ‘Reducing opioid related deaths for individuals who are at high risk of overdose: a co-production study.’ In Hucklesby, A. and Holt, R. (eds) 1st Tracking People Wearable Technologies in Social and Public Policy, Oxfordshire: Routledge, August 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Social Work, Technologies, Covid19.’ In Turner, D. (ed). Social Work and Covid19: Lessons from Education and Practice, 7-14. St Albans: Critical Publishing, 2021.
  • Taylor, A. ‘Learning through literature: social work book group.’ In: Hitchcock, L. I., M. Sage, M. and Smyth, N.J. (eds). Teaching social work with digital technology. pp. 419-421. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education, 2019.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Stakeholders Voice.’ In Maclean, S., Finch, J. and Tedam, P. (eds). SHARE: A new model for social work,220-221. Lichfield: Kirwan Maclean Associates, 2018.
  • Westwood, J. and Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Developing Digital Competence for Practice.’ In Stone, C. and Harbin, F. (eds). Transformative Learning for Social Work. Learning For and In Practice,154-167. London: Palgrave McMillan, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Book Groups and Fiction A 'Novel' Approach to Teaching and Learning.’ In Stone, C. and Harbin, F. (eds). Transformative Learning for Social Work. Learning For and In Practice, 168-180. London: Palgrave McMillan, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Fiction, Book Groups and Social Work Education.’ In Brewer, G. and Hogarth, R. (eds). Creative Education, Teaching and Learning,167-177. London: Palgrave McMillan, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M L. ‘When actual meets virtual; social work book groups as a teaching and learning medium in social work education.’ In Westwood, J. (ed). Social Media in Social Work Education, 40-52. Northwich: Critical Publishing, 2014.
  • Westwood, J.L., Taylor, A.M.L. and McKendrick, D. ‘Student Social Workers use of Social Media: findings from a cross-national survey.’ In Westwood, J. (ed). Social Media in Social Work Education, 17-28. Northwich: Critical Publishing, 2014.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. and Hemmington, J. ‘Diversity in Mental Health Assessment.’ In Matthews, S., O’Hare, P. and Hemmington, J. (eds). Approved Mental Health Practice: Essential themes for students and practitioners, 99-117. London: Red Rose Press, 2014.

Full Papers:

  • Campbell, A., Millen, S., Guo, L., Jordan, U., Taylor-Beswick, A., Rintoul, C. and Diamond, A. ‘Reducing opioid related deaths for individuals who are at high risk of death from overdose: a co-production study with people housed within prison and hostel accommodation during Covid-19’. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 2023.
  • MacDonald, M., Conley Wright, A., Taylor-Beswick, A., Gillespie, K. and Collings, S. ‘Digital Relationality, Rights, Resilience: Conceptualising a Digital Social Ecology for Children’s Birth Family Relationships When in Care or Adopted.’ The British Journal of Social Work, 53:1. pp.216–235, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digitalising social work education: preparing students to engage with 21st century practice need.’ Social Work Education, 42:1. pp.44-64, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. and Belluigi, D.Z. ‘At the interstices of ethics, the digital and research in higher education.’ British Educational Research Journal BERA Research Intelligence, 155. pp.38-39, 2022.
  • Goldkind, L., LaMendola, W. and Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Tackling Covid19 is a Crucible for Privacy.’ Journal of Technologies in Human Services, 38:2. pp.89-90, 2020.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Social Work and Digitalisation: Bridging the Knowledge Gaps.’ Social Work Education, 36:8. pp.869-879, 2017.
  • Anthony, B., Baker, L., Brady, S.R., Counselman-Carpenter, B., Cummings, S., Curington, A. M., Ferrari, K. D., Fink-Samnick, E., Goldkind, L., Joiner, J.M., Jones, N., King, D.M., Marquart, M., Parga, J., Quinn, C., Rembold, L., Schwartz, S.L., Simpson, J., Singer, J. B., Taylor, A.M.L.; Young, J. A. and Zgoda, K. ‘Technology in Social Work Education: Educators’ Perspectives on the NASW Technology Standards for Social Work Education and Supervision.’ University at Buffalo School of Social Work, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 2017.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Book Groups in Social Work Education: A Method for Modelling Groupwork Practice.’ Groupwork, 25:2. pp.75-88, 2015.
  • Scourfield, J. and Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Using a Book Group to Facilitate Student Learning About Social Work.’ Social Work Education, 33:4. pp.533-538, 2013.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘The future of the professions: how technology will transform the work of human experts.’ Social Work Education: The International Journal, 35:3. pp.371-372, 2016.

Book Reviews:

  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘A Critical Approach to Human Growth & Development.’ British Journal of Social Work, 45:3. pp.1366–1368, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Reading groups, libraries and social inclusion: experiences of blind and partially sighted people.’ Disability and Society, 29:7. pp.1172-1173, 2014. 

Thesis (Ed.D.):

  • Taylor, A.M.L. Examining the contribution of social work education to the digital professionalism of students in readiness for practice in the connected age. University of Central Lancashire. 253 pages, 2019.
  • Insights on emerging trends in digital, innovation and science, developed for Horizon Scan 2024 to support decision-makers in the UK Parliament. [Invited reviewer] UK Parliament, POST NOTES https://post.parliament.uk/horizon-scan-2024/digital-innovation-and-science/#heading-3

Research Reports:

  • Campbell, A., Millen, S., Jordan, U., Guo, L., Taylor Beswick, A.M.L, and Diamond, A. ‘Reducing opioid related deaths for individuals who are at risk of death from overdose on release from prison and within the homeless hostels for drug users; an issue further complicated by the impacts of COVID-19. [report]’ Queen’s University Belfast. 35 pages, 2022.
  • Kent, C. and Taylor-Beswick, A.M. L. ‘The Digitally Professional Physiotherapist’ [Blog] https://news.cumbria.ac.uk/blog/the-digitally-professional-physiotherapist, 2024.

 

Digital Artefacts:

 

Conferences 

 

  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digital, Death and Dying’ [Invited Speaker], University of Cumbria, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Delivering effective digital innovation in higher education to improve the student experience: expert panel’ [Invited Speaker], The Times Higher Education and Perlego, Online, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘AI and Social Work: A Critical Conversation’ [Invited Speaker], Social Work Programme, University of Central Lancashire, Preston Campus, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘AI and Social Work: A Critical Conversation’ [Invited Speaker], Social Work Programme, University of Central Lancashire, Burnley Campus, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Born into the Troublesome, Living in the Liminal: Navigating Boundaries to Transform Realities’ [Inaugural Lecture], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib4IIPfIlRU University of Cumbria, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘The Realities of AI in Social Work: A Critical Conversation’ [Invited Speaker], BASW Conference, Expert Panel, BASW online, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Next steps for digital technology in higher education’ [Invited Speaker], Westminster Forum Briefings, Westminster, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘ASCILITE Panel on the Perils of Artificial Intelligence’ [Invited Speaker], https://open-publishing.org/international-conference-of-artificial-intelligence-in-higher-education-2024, -OPAP International Conference Of Artificial Intelligence In Higher Education, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Research Ethics Committee decision making where technologies are involved’ [Invited Speaker], THE digital universities UK, University of Exeter, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘ai way or the highway?’ [Invited Speaker], CIPD, Carlisle Branch, AI Conference, Carlisle, 2024
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘chalk, clicks, automation’ [Invited Speaker], Secondary Schools Senior Leaders Forum, Cumbria, 2024.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘No academic is an island: building bridges across disciplines’ [Poster Presentation], EAPRIL Conference, Belfast, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘From analogue to digital, leaning into the liminality’ [Invited speaker], Essex Council Heads of Childrens Social Care AI and Digital Conference, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘From analogue to digital’ [Invited speaker] University of Cumbria, Institute of Arts Research Conference, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Our lens on the important of youth work’ [Invited speaker with two CYZ young people] University of Cumbria, Better Tomorrows Cumbria, Youth Work Celebration Conference, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘History of Tech in Social Work’ [Invited speaker] Social Work England, World Social Work Week Seminar Series, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Exploring Safe Digital Practices in Social Care.’ [Invited speaker] Social Work Scotland Cyber-Security Conference, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digital Professionalism Mapping Tool.’ [Invited speaker] Northern Ireland Digital Social Work Conference, 2023.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Leaning into the Liminality.’ [Invited speaker] Launch of Barnardo’s Working Online Together research report and practice guidance, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Social Work Book Group with Lisa Cherry Author.’ [Organiser] International Social Work Book Group Event, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Post-pandemic Digital Social Work: Leading Through the Liminality.’ [Invited keynote] Social Work Scotland Leadership Workshop, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Post-pandemic social work /social care; what will we take forward, what we will leave behind, who will decide.’ [Invited keynote] ADSS National Social Care Conference, Cardiff, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Pre-pandemic, pandemic, post-pandemic social work education and practice; what will we take forward, what we will leave behind, who will decide.’ [Invited Visiting Professor Talks] Trinity College Dublin, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Sharing learning from a co-research project 'Nothing about us without us.’ [Paper] International Resilience Conference, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Pre-pandemic, pandemic, post-pandemic social work education.’ [Paper] University of Graz, Austria, 2022.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Exploring new and emerging technologies for supporting young people’s mental health.’ [Paper] Mood Movement Networking Event 3, 2021.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Adult Social Care Digital Turn.’ [Invited talk] Research in Practice, United Kingdom, 2021.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digitising Social Work Education; When Incidental Learning Isn't Enough.’ [Paper] JSWEC social work education and research conference, 2021.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. (2020) ‘The only way is ethics.’ [Invited talk] University Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Futuring Higher Education: Another Digital Turn.’ [Invited keynote] UCLan Digi Sector Community, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Social Work Book Group with Professor Dorothy E Roberts.’ [Organiser] International Social Work Book Group Event, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘pre-pandemic, pandemic, post-pandemic 'social' work.’ [Invited keynote] Anna Freud Centre, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Examining the Contribution of Social Work Education to the Digital Professionalism of Students in Readiness for Practice in the Connected Age; A Phenomenographic Research Study.’ [Paper] All Ireland Social Work Education and Research Forum, University College Cork, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digitalisation, Social Care, Social Need.’ [Invited keynote] Office of Social Services, Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland. Digital and Social Care Going Forward – Stakeholders Conference, 2020.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Digitalisation, Social Services, Social Need.’ [Invited keynote] European Social Care Network, Berlin, 2019.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Examining the Contribution of Social Work Education to the Digital Socialisation of Students in Readiness for Practice.’ [Paper] SWSD Social Work, Education and Social Development Conference, Dublin, 2018.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. and Hitchcock, L. ‘A Connected Community of Learning for Practice: Social Work Virtual Pal.’ [Paper] SWSD Social Work, Education and Social Development Conference, Dublin, 2018.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Researching the Contribution of Social Work Education to the Digital Socialisation of Students in Preparation for Practice in the Technological Age.’ [Paper] SocMedHE Social Media for Learning in Higher Education Conference, Sheffield, 2016.
  • Kellsey, D. and Taylor, A.M.L. ‘The Conference LearningWheel: Collating contextualised digital resources and capturing and a space and time for educators, students, and practitioners.’ [Paper] SocMedHE Social Media for Learning in Higher Education Conference, Hallam University, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Book Groups in Social Work Education.’ [Invited keynote] Community Care Live Conference, London, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. (2016) ‘The Digital Professional in Social Work.’ [Invited keynote] Norfolk County Council Teaching Partnership Launch Event, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Everybody's changing and I don't feel the same" (Keane, 2004): Researching Digital Socialisation in Social Work Education.’ [Invited keynote] #ASYEngage: Exploring the opportunities and challenges of social work encounters with social media research project seminar series, University of Sussex, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Social Media and Social Work.’ [Invited keynote] Blackpool County Council Turning the Tide Conference, Blackpool, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Digitalisation and Social Work.’ [Invited keynote] Making Research Count Conference, University of Central Lancashire, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Social Work Book Group and Digitalisation.’ [Invited keynote] World Social Work Day Event, East Sussex County Council, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Digital Professionalism in Social Work.’ [Invited keynote] World Social Work Day Event, East Sussex County Council, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Digitalisation and Social Work.’ [Paper] Thinking of the Future Conference, University of Stirling, 2016.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘When Actual Met Virtual: A teaching and learning methodology in social work education.’ [Paper] SocMedHE Social Media for Learning in Higher Education Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Researching the Contribution of Social Work Education to the Digital Socialisation of Students for Practice.’ [Paper] JSWEC Joint Social Work Education and Research Conference, University of London, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Researching the Contribution of Social Work Education to the Digital Socialisation of Students for Practice.’ [Paper] UCLan Teaching and Learning Conference, University of Central Lancashire, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Using Book Groups as a CPD Activity for Social Work Practitioners.’ [Invited keynote] Yorkshire and Humber Regional Annual Social Work Conference, Leeds, 2015.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Does Social Work Education Contribute to the Development of the Use of Self for Relationship Based Practice?’ [Paper] Conference of the Association for Psychosocial Studies, University of Central Lancashire, 2014.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘Mental Health and Deafness: A Critical Discussion for Social Work.’ [Invited keynote] WMHD World Mental Health and Deafness Conference, Queens University Belfast, 2014.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘The Silent Corner of Mental Health and Deafness: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue.’ [Paper] CeDR Centre for Disabilities Research Conference, Lancaster University, 2014.
  • Westwood, J. L., Taylor, A.M.L. and McKendrick, D. ‘Social networking sites for learning? Engaging social work students in online learning: Findings from a cross national research project.’ [Paper] JSWEC Joint Social Work Education and Research Conference, University of London, 2013.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘When Actual Met Virtual.’ [Paper] JSWEC Joint Social Work Education & Research Conference, University of London, 2013.
  • Taylor, A.M.L., Turner, D. and Bolton, J. ‘Collective Consciousness through Creative Connectivity.’ [Invited keynote] JSWEC Joint Social Work Education & Research Conference, University of London, 2013.
  • Taylor, A.M.L. ‘The Role of Technology for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.’ [Invited keynote] Mental Health and Distress: Collaborative Curriculum Development Symposium, Lancaster University, 2013.
  • Taylor-Beswick, A.M.L. ‘Social Work Book Group with Deborah Morgan Author.’ [Organiser] International Social Work Book Group Event, 2010.