Director of the Social Futures Institute
Dr Barbara McGuinness
Barbara’s academic background is in moral and political philosophy, having graduated with a first degree in politics from Newcastle University, moving on to an MA (York) then PhD (Newcastle) both in moral and political philosophy.
Her research interests are in contemporary Anglo American moral philosophy, justice in diverse societies, applied ethics, diversity and equality, professional ethics and human rights. More recently she has become involved in applied research in public policy, including areas such as older people's services, the third sector and volunteering.
As well as Director of the Social Futures Institute Barbara is Deputy Dean of the School of Social Sciences & Law. She has been a member, executive member and Chair of the organisation Through the Glass Ceiling, which is for women in senior posts in Higher Education. She has been a school governor, Chair of a Local Authority Budgetary Forum, and represents the University on two Local Strategic Partnerships, which has led to the interest in applied public policy research.