EdiTH England

Edith is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Practice at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Edith’s PhD (2017-2020, Cardiff University School of Geography and Planning) looked at the implementation of homelessness law and policy in Wales, comparing and contrasting the experiences of frontline workers with applicants. Edith has worked extensively with third sector and statutory organisations (including Shelter Cymru, Crisis, Centre for Homelessness Impact, NHS Wales and Welsh Government). Edith was awarded a Audrey Jones Women in Wales Award 2021 for highlighting the impact of Welsh homelessness law on women, and the 2021 Valerie Karn Best Paper Prize from the Housing Studies Association for work looking at the emotional entanglements of frontline ‘bureaucratic’ work.

With Shelter Cymru and funded by Welsh Government (LGBTQ+ Aware) Edith completed a two year study into the experiences of homelessness trans people (including a collaboration with End Youth Homelessness Cymru). Edith also worked with Dr Neil Turnbull to look at the experiences of LGBTQ+ in Gwent, Wales, which won a Wales Online Equality and Diversity Award 2022.

Edith is interested in how principles of care interact with resource distribution. More recent projects include a larger investigation into the complexities of service provision in the domestic abuse/VAWG sector (with Dr Josie Henley, Cardiff University) and a large scale survey of prevalence and patterning of LGBTQ+ homelessness across the UK (with Dr Neil Turnbull). Edith is especially interested in ways to use queer standpoints and perspectives to unpack and address ‘wicked problems’ in social policy.

Edith’s primary research areas are homelessness (especially as intersecting gender and sexuality), frontline service worker experiences, disability rights (especially autism and ADHD/ neurodiversity) and care ethics.