Current and Recent Projects

Social Work Online Team Training (SWOTT) toolkits was developed by Professor Michaela Rogers to enable a new structured approach to group CPD. Each toolkit consists of two learning activities: an online module and a group critical reflective supervision. All toolkits are evidence-informed and has proved popular in councils, charities and the health sector. They offer flexible and accessible CPD requiring short bursts of activity. We run regular free trials for organisations to trial the toolkits. There are toolkits on: introduction to coercive control, introduction to trauma informed practice and domestic abuse and women with learning disabilties. To find out more, visit out website.

This project was a small scale evaluation commissioned through Yorkshire and Humber Police force. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of practitioner workshops delivered across the Yorkshire and Humber region in addressing technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (TF VAWG). The workshops are part of a regional initiative led by the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YH ROCU) to improve the response of professionals, particularly those in policing, health, and social care, to TF VAWG. 

This project explores how perpetrators of domestic abuse use technology, including the settings in which it occurs and the impacts on victim-survivors. The study will gather insights from domestic abuse practitioners about their experiences and observations of technology use in cases of domestic abuse.

This is the first UK-wide survey of its kind, involving participants from across the United Kingdom. The findings will inform training, shape policy, and support advocacy efforts for victim-survivors.

This survey has been conducted three times in Australia and now we would like to explore the issue in the UK. A key aim of this project is to compare the use of technology in domestic abuse across Australia and the United Kingdom. Interested in taking part? Click here to complete the survey.

This project was born from a key interest from Dr Loren Parton and Professor Michaela Rogers about aiming to understand the widespread and diverse experiences of technology-facilitated violence and abuse from those who want to share their experiences of this behaviour. In order to gather these accounts, an innovative methodology has been adopted in which individuals can anonymously post their information. We hope to gain a deeper insight into the outcomes and impacts experienced by individuals who have experienced any of these types of behaviours. In addition, we aim to use the findings of this project to help services offer responsive and sensitive support. Do you have experiences to share? click here for a link to our website

Co-led by Dr Anastasia Karpunina and Professional Michaela Rogers, this NIHR funded study will test whether training using artificial intelligence (AI) avatars can help newly qualified social workers to better recognise and respond to coercive control. AI avatars are computer-generated characters that can speak, show emotion, and react to learners in real time. The study will answer the question of whether this approach works well for social workers in children’s social care. We will use different scenarios to show different types and contexts of coercive control.  Survivors, along with practitioners and trainers, have already shaped the design of this study through surveys, focus groups, interviews, workshops, and consultations. They will continue to advise us throughout the study.

VOICE (Valuing Our Insights: Culturally Informed Engagement for South Asian Child Sexual Abuse Survivors) is a community-centred research study exploring how South Asian women who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) navigate disclosure and access support from health and social care professionals. To read more about this project and take part, click here

Professor Michaela Rogers is leading a 20 month NIHR funded project alongside Co-investigators Dr Kelly Lockwood (University of Salford), Dr Jenni Berlin and Samira Obed (UserVoice), Public co-applicant Viv Young and Research Associate, Dr Loren Parton (University of Sheffield). The study aims to understand the experiences, perspectives and social care needs of women with domestic violence and abuse (DVA) experiences on their release from prison. To read the latest blog, click here

During summer 2023, undergraduate student Connie Copley undertook a qualitative research project through the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scheme, titled 'Exploring Everyday Sexism and the Generational Normalisation of Technology Facilitated Abuse'. Supervised by Dr Michaela Rogers, Connie research focused specifically on cis women's past experiences of TFA in secondary school, exploring whether there is a culture of normalisation around such abuse, and how 'everyday sexism' impacts this normalisation.

This film is based on interviews with people who are recovering from childhood sexual abuse. The creation of this film was inspired by Dr Claire Cunnington's Wellcome Trust funded research at the University of Sheffield, and the film itself was funded by Research England. 

Film description: Amy is preparing for her art exhibition when a comment reignites traumatic childhood memories. She wants to help but struggles with family loyalty.

This vitally important art installation uses ceramics to depict the impact of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). To create works that reflect the physical, psychological and emotional effects of DVA, artist Angie Hardwich has collaborated with Professor Parveen Ali (Health Sciences School). In a series of consultations, survivors discussed those effects. The artwork incorporates their words, giving the installation a powerful immediacy which Angie hopes will help raise awareness of DVA and give hope to others.

This project, led by ShIVAR co-convenors, Professor Parveen Ali and Professor Michaela Rogers, investigates the impacts of DVA on individuals and marginalised groups. It aims to bring together academics and professionals from multiple disciplines to highlight DVA experiences of marginalised communities, and to identify gaps in current policy, practice, and research.