When working in frontline practice having the time for, and access to, current research can be difficult. Every week, join Dr Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon as they interview researchers about how their work can be used to inform and develop social work practice. The show is for anyone who is interested in social work and for anyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest research and use this to inform their practice. The Portal Podcast explores the work of a different social sciences researcher in each episode and aims to support people to access, understand, and make use of research.
To access more information about the show (including transcripts for each episode) or to get in touch, click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When working in frontline practice having the time for, and access to, current research can be difficult. Every week, join Dr Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon as they interview researchers about how their work can be used to inform and develop social work practice. The show is for anyone who is interested in social work and for anyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest research and use this to inform their practice. The Portal Podcast explores the work of a different social sciences researcher in each episode and aims to support people to access, understand, and make use of research.
To access more information about the show (including transcripts for each episode) or to get in touch, click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Jenni Guthrie about her work exploring the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent social workers and students. Jenni shares insight into the lack of research in this area, the challenges autistic professionals face in social work, and the strengths they bring to the profession.
She discusses her completed collaborative autoethnography project co-created with neurodivergent students and newly qualified social workers, which examined the value of safe, neuro-affirming community spaces. Key findings highlighted the importance of organisational support, neurodivergent facilitators, and recognition of the impact of ableism, racism, and the conflation of both.
The conversation also explores the stigma connecting autism with “risk,” the barriers of diagnosis as privilege, and the compounded challenges of autistic burnout versus social work burnout. Jenni calls for regulators and organisations to actively welcome neurodivergent practitioners and invest in research, training, and safe spaces.
For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.