Joy Walker

Profile

I am a lecturer in Health and Social Care in the School of Health at the University of Bradford. My research interests include family, parent-child interactions, sex education and teenage pregnancy. These research interests have inspired my proposed PhD study to explore delayed transitions into parenthood, identity and intergenerational exchange.

My research plans to embrace qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) methodology to explore fertility issues in relation to identity and intergenerational exchange within the family. A wide range of women and men’s experiences will be examined.

QLR methodology will be used in the context of fertility challenges encountered during the uncertainty of becoming a parent to understand a highly complex and sensitive issue amidst the dynamics of everyday life. The context of understanding contemporary aspects of fertility will be tracked through its formation. Social and cultural factors will be investigated such as ‘expected fertility’ and ‘proper families’. Follow up interviews will be at 6 months and 18 months after the initial interview with individuals and their parents.

A part-time PhD lends itself to this QLR methodology with a longer follow up period to track changes and offer participants flexibility in timescales given the sensitive nature of the study.

Background

Previously I have worked as a Senior lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University, as an NHS Research Fellow and in diverse primary care settings in both Leeds and Bradford.

Research studies and published reports

Walker, J (2010) Evaluation of the Intensive Family Support Service through its service user experience in the North East and East areas of Leeds, Leeds.

Cattan M, Green J, Newell C, Ayrton R, Walker J (2008) Child- Parent Interaction in relation to road safety education. Part 1. A Critical Literature Review. Department for Transport, London

Wright, N. & Walker, J (2006) Homelessness and drug use - a narrative systematic review of interventions to promote sexual health. AIDS Care, 18, 5, pp.467 ?478

Hands, Y., Millar, C., Walker, J., Copeman, J. & Henderson, L. (2006) Epilepsy health promotion - an educational journey. Nurse Education in Practice, 6, 5, pp.281 ? 287

Walker, J. & Milton, J (2006) Teachers? and parents? roles in the sexuality education of primary school children: a comparison of experiences in Sydney, Australia and Leeds, the United Kingdom. Sex Education  6, No. 4 - in press November 2006.)

Walker, J. (2004) Parents and Sex Education - Looking Beyond the Birds and the Bees. Sex Education, 4, 3, pp. 239-254

Walker, J., Green, J. and Tilford, S. (2003) An Evaluation of school sex education team training. Health Education, 103, 6, pp. 320-329

Walker, J. and Walker, R. (2002) Home Zones: Child health benefits from neighbourhood action and subsequent policy change. ChildRIGHT. No. 184, March Edition, pp 18-19

Walker, J. (2001) A qualitative study of parents' experiences of providing sex education for their children: the implications for health education Health Education Journal 60, 2, pp. 132-146

Walker, J (2010) Evaluation of the Intensive Family Support Service through its service user experience in the North East and East areas of Leeds, Leeds.

My Masters dissertation ‘Sex Education and reducing teenage pregnancy – parents as health educators?’ (Distinction awarded from Leeds Metropolitan University)

My undergraduate dissertation ‘A Phenomenological study of parents’ perceptions of support following their child’s diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.’ was awarded a Commendation for First Class dissertation)

Presentations

Walker J.L. (2014) Understanding kinship and (in)fertility. Human Reproductive Study Group Conference. Lancaster University, 24th July 2014.