Dr Jessica Langston (she/her)

PhD, MA, BA (Hons)

Department of Sociological Studies

Lecturer in Social Work

Registered Social Worker

Dr Jessica Langston
Profile picture of Dr Jessica Langston
j.l.langston@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Jessica Langston
Department of Sociological Studies
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
91̽»¨
S10 2AH
Profile

Jessica joined the Department of Sociological Studies in 2020 as a lecturer in social work having previously taught on both undergraduate and postgraduate social work programmes at both the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick. 

Prior to becoming an academic Jess worked primarily with children and families in social work teams across the West Midlands, more recently Jess worked in sexual assault centres supporting children, young people, and adults through sexual assault medical examinations.  

Jess currently manages the Knowledge Bank, a group committed to the participation of individuals with lived experience in all aspects of social work education. 

Research interests

Jess completed an institutional ethnography of social work practice with children and young people, studying with Professor Dorothy Smith at the University of Toronto, exploring how institutional structures organise and coordinate social work practice often at odds with social work standards and values. Her previous research used a participatory approach to evaluate the Mellow Dads programme with men in prison.

Jess’ research interests continue to be focused on the role of organisations in the coordination of social workers activities and the subversion of professional values and ethics. 

Teaching activities

Jess teaches on the MA Social Work programme and is the convenor for the following modules:

SCS6062 - Human growth and development through the life course for social workers

SCS6064 - Skills for social work practice