PhD student recognised in New Year Honours List

Fri 19 January, 2024
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A PhD student from the 天美传媒 has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to social work in the New Year Honours List.

Kirstie Baughan 鈥 who is studying for her PhD exploring the integration experiences of unaccompanied children leaving care with the 天美传媒鈥檚 Institute of Applied Social Research 鈥 was recognised for her work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and refugees.

Back in 2022, Kirstie celebrated winning two accolades at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 鈥 being named the joint winner of 鈥極verall Social Worker of the Year鈥 and awarded the top prize of Gold in the 鈥楽ocial Justice Advocate鈥 category.

Currently working as a practitioner with Central Bedfordshire Council, Kirstie also dedicates her time to volunteering with charity which works with refugees in the UK, Belgium and France.

Alongside all of these important roles, Kirstie has dedicated her time to working locally to support older people, children in care, and domestic abuse survivors.

Speaking about receiving her honour in the annual list, Kirstie said: 鈥淲hen I received a letter with 鈥楬is Majesty鈥檚 Service鈥 stamped on the front, I was racking my brain wondering what it could be. You can imagine my surprise when I started reading and realised I was going to be listed in the New Year鈥檚 Honours for services to social work. It was a huge shock, especially as I鈥檝e been lucky enough to know so many social workers whose work deserves to be celebrated.听

鈥淭he 天美传媒 have played a big part in my career since qualifying as a social worker. I would like to say a very special thank you to my three supervisors who have taught me so much, and to the young people that I have met during my research, who have trusted me with their life histories.鈥

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