Leading UK academic, Professor Jan Fook delivered University of the West of Scotland’s Morag Faulds Memorial Lecture at its Paisley Campus on 22 June 2009.

Professor Fook, a leading researcher in the area of professional Social Work practice, based at the University of Southampton, delivered an address entitled Using critical reflection to understand practice to over 100 members of the public.

Professor Fook’s work includes critical reflection, critical social work, professional practice and research. Throughout the course of her career she has been keenly involved in developing social work education, particularly using innovative and reflective methods, and also has experience teaching practice skills and field education. Her research work involves the empirical research of professional practice, and developing better methods for representing the complexity of this.

The Morag Faulds Memorial Lecture was established in 2008 to commemorate an approach to social work practice and education, promoted by Morag Faulds. She was instrumental in establishing the first undergraduate social work programme in Scotland in 1975, at the then Paisley College, from which developed the University.

Morag Faulds established a legacy of excellence in practice, placing particular emphasis on the quality of student placements and setting rigorous standards which students were required to meet. Prior to establishing the social work course at the then Paisley College, Morag Faulds worked as a medical social worker in both England and Scotland, subsequently becoming the first Director of Social Work for Inverness-shire. Morag Faulds also contributed to the work of a number of organisations, including chairing Barnardo's policy committee and undertaking the role of founding chairperson of the Scottish Child and Family Association.

Paul Martin, Dean of University of the West of Scotland’s Faculty of Education, Health and Social Sciences, said: “Jan Fook is a leading academic expert in the field of social sciences in the UK and we were delighted that she delivered our annual Morag Faulds Memorial Lecture.”