Dr Helen Gleeson


Dr Helen Gleeson
NameDr Helen Gleeson
Job titleResearch Fellow in Social Work / Social Policy
Research institute
Primary appointmentMental Health & Social Work
Email addressh.gleeson@mdx.ac.uk
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0505-5281
Contact categoryAcademic staff

Biography

Biography

Dr Helen Gleeson is a research fellow in the Department of Mental Health and Social Work where she has worked since 2016. She received her PhD in psychology from National University of Ireland, Galway in 2013 where her thesis explored the relationships between young people and the police in Ireland. 

Through her research she has worked with local authorities, youth offending services, NHS services and partners on evaluation studies, systematic reviews and evidence reports.  

Teaching

Module lead for SWK2203 Approaches to Health and Social Care Research

Supervisor on Think Ahead (Mental Health Social Worker MA programme)

Co-supervisor for PhD and DProf students

Supervision

Doctoral ResearcherAwardStatusRole
Merve CetinkayaPhDEnrolled StudentSupervisorSep 2023 - Present

Education and qualifications

PhD (psychology)

Thesis title: 'Young people's attitudes towards the police in Ireland: A mixed methods study'

20 Nov 2013
National University of Ireland, Galway
HDip (Psychology)
30 Jun 2009
National University of Ireland, Galway
BA Hons (English and Psychological Studies)
30 Jun 2008
National University of Ireland, Galway
PGCE - Higher Education
30 Jun 2018
Middlesex University

Grants

Review of prevalence and impact of cyberbullying linked to social media on the mental health of young people.
01 Sept 2013
HSE Office for Suicide Prevention (Ireland)
Systematic evidence review of community mental health promotion strategies
01 Jan 2015
HSE Office for Suicide Prevention (Ireland)
Rapid evidence review: Drinking problems and interventions in Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
01 Jan 2019
Alcohol Change UK
Exploring ethnic disproportionality in Hackney youth offending services.
01 Jul 2021
Hackney youth offending services
Phase 2: Qualitative study exploring ethnic disproportionality in Hackney youth offending services
01 Sept 2022
Hackney Youth Offending Services

Projects

  • Virtual reality simulation as a means of increasing mental health nursing students’ empathy for patients experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations: an evaluation.

Prizes and Awards

Research outputs

Navigating social work practice research challenges: collaboration, participant rights and ethics

Gleeson, H., Allain, L. and Hingley-Jones, H. 2024. Navigating social work practice research challenges: collaboration, participant rights and ethics. European Social Work Research. 2 (2), pp. 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1332/27551768Y2024D000000011

The risk matrix : drug-related deaths in prisons in England and Wales, 2015–2020

Duke, K., Gleeson, H., MacGregor, S. and Thom, B. 2024. The risk matrix : drug-related deaths in prisons in England and Wales, 2015–2020. Journal of Community Psychology. 52 (8), pp. 1056-1077. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22989

Evidence based practice and social work: Developing critically engaged research minded practitioners through enhancing research methods teaching

Gleeson, H. and Pezzella, A. 2024. Evidence based practice and social work: Developing critically engaged research minded practitioners through enhancing research methods teaching. in: Przeperski, J. and Baikady, R. (ed.) The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work Teaching Taylor & Francis (Routledge).

Learning to become evidence based social workers: student views on research education and implementation in practice

Gleeson, H., Pezzella, A. and Rahman, N. 2023. Learning to become evidence based social workers: student views on research education and implementation in practice. Social Work Education. 42 (3), pp. 285-301. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2021.1965113

Building cultures of participation: involving young people in contact with the criminal justice system in the development of drug interventions in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy and Poland

Duke, K., Gleeson, H., Dabrowska, K., Herold, M., Rolando, S. and Thom, B. 2023. Building cultures of participation: involving young people in contact with the criminal justice system in the development of drug interventions in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy and Poland. Youth Justice. 23 (1), pp. 97-116. https://doi.org/10.1177/14732254221075206

Young people on the 'edge of care': perspectives regarding a residential family intervention programme using social pedagogic and systemic approaches- striving for 'humane practice'

Allain, L., Hingley-Jones, H., McQuarrie, T., Gleeson, H., Apeah-Kubi, D., Ogunnaike, B. and Lewis-Brooke, S. 2023. Young people on the 'edge of care': perspectives regarding a residential family intervention programme using social pedagogic and systemic approaches- striving for 'humane practice'. Journal of Social Work Practice. 37 (2), pp. 247-261. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2022.2162490

North London social work teaching partnership practice educator research project

Hingley-Jones, H., Apeah-Kubi, D. and Gleeson, H. 2023. North London social work teaching partnership practice educator research project. London, UK Middlesex University.

Exploring gendered differences among polish migrants in the UK in problematic drinking and pathways into and through alcohol treatment

Gleeson, H., Herring, R. and Bayley, M. 2022. Exploring gendered differences among polish migrants in the UK in problematic drinking and pathways into and through alcohol treatment. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. 21 (3), pp. 1120-1140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2020.1836697

Assessing suicide ideation among older adults: a systematic review of screening and measurement tools

Gleeson, H., Roesch, C., Hafford-Letchfield, T. and Ellmers, T. 2022. Assessing suicide ideation among older adults: a systematic review of screening and measurement tools. International Psychogeriatrics. 34 (5), pp. 439-452. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610221002659

‘…Be the change, you want to see…’: Evaluation of a pilot mentor scheme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic social work students

Hingley-Jones, H., Apeah-Kubi, D., Quaife, M. and Gleeson, H. 2022. ‘…Be the change, you want to see…’: Evaluation of a pilot mentor scheme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic social work students. London, UK Department of Mental Health and Social Work.

A scoping review exploring the 'grey area' of suicide-related expression in later life: developing a conceptual framework for professional engagement

Hafford-Letchfield, T., Jain, B., Gleeson, H., Roesch, C. and Ellmers, T. 2022. A scoping review exploring the 'grey area' of suicide-related expression in later life: developing a conceptual framework for professional engagement. Ageing & Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22000642

The engagement of young people in drug interventions in coercive contexts: findings from a cross-national European study

Duke, K., Gleeson, H., Dabrowska, K., Herold, M. and Rolando, S. 2021. The engagement of young people in drug interventions in coercive contexts: findings from a cross-national European study. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy. 28 (1), pp. 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2020.1763917

Knowledge and policy about LGBTQI migrants: a scoping review of the Canadian and global context

Lee, E., Kamgain, O., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Gleeson, H., Pullen-Sansfaçon, A. and Luu, F. 2021. Knowledge and policy about LGBTQI migrants: a scoping review of the Canadian and global context. Journal of International Migration and Integration. 22 (3), pp. 831-848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-020-00771-4

Expansive learning: online nurse education that is co-produced, creative and critical

Lambert, N., Pezzella, A., Vargas, A., Willimott, J. and Gleeson, H. 2021. Expansive learning: online nurse education that is co-produced, creative and critical. RCN Education Forum National Conference & Exhibition 2021. Stepping up: educating the nursing workforce in challenging times. London (Online) 20 - 21 Apr 2021

'He just gave up': an exploratory study into the perspectives of paid carers on supporting older people living in care homes with depression, self-harm, and suicide ideation and behaviours

Hafford-Letchfield, T., Gleeson, H., Ryan, P., Billings, B., Teacher, R., Quaife, M., Flynn, A., Zanone Poma, S. and Vicentini, S. 2020. 'He just gave up': an exploratory study into the perspectives of paid carers on supporting older people living in care homes with depression, self-harm, and suicide ideation and behaviours. Ageing & Society. 40 (5), pp. 984-1003. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X18001447

Framing 'drug prevention' for young people in contact with the criminal justice system in England: views from practitioners in the field

Duke, K., Thom, B. and Gleeson, H. 2020. Framing 'drug prevention' for young people in contact with the criminal justice system in England: views from practitioners in the field. Journal of Youth Studies. 23 (4), pp. 511-529. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2019.1632818

"Roll back the years": A study of grandparent special guardians' experiences and implications for social work policy and practice in England

Hingley-Jones, H., Allain, L., Gleeson, H. and Twumasi, B. 2020. "Roll back the years": A study of grandparent special guardians' experiences and implications for social work policy and practice in England. Child & Family Social Work. 25 (3), pp. 526-535. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12718

Preventing and responding to depression, self-harm, and suicide in older people living in long term care settings: a systematic review

Gleeson, H., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Quaife, M., Collins, D.A. and Flynn, A. 2019. Preventing and responding to depression, self-harm, and suicide in older people living in long term care settings: a systematic review. Aging and Mental Health. 23 (11), pp. 1467-1477. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2018.1501666

Rapid evidence review: drinking problems and interventions in black and minority ethnic communities

Gleeson, H., Thom, B., Bayley, M. and McQuarrie, T. 2019. Rapid evidence review: drinking problems and interventions in black and minority ethnic communities. Alcohol Change UK.

Exploring pathways through and beyond alcohol treatment among Polish women and men in a London Borough

Herring, R., Gleeson, H. and Bayley, M. 2019. Exploring pathways through and beyond alcohol treatment among Polish women and men in a London Borough. Alcohol Change UK.

Challenges to providing culturally sensitive drug interventions for black and Asian minority ethnic (BAME) groups within UK youth justice systems

Gleeson, H., Duke, K. and Thom, B. 2019. Challenges to providing culturally sensitive drug interventions for black and Asian minority ethnic (BAME) groups within UK youth justice systems. Drugs and Alcohol Today. 19 (3), pp. 172-181. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-11-2018-0068

Exploring the meaning of young people's attitudes towards the police. A qualitative study of Irish youth

Gleeson, H. 2018. Exploring the meaning of young people's attitudes towards the police. A qualitative study of Irish youth. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice. 55, pp. 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2018.10.004

Interventions to prevent and reduce young people’s substance use and criminal justice involvement trajectories

Gleeson, H., Duke, K., Clarke, Z. and Thom, B. 2018. Interventions to prevent and reduce young people’s substance use and criminal justice involvement trajectories. London, UK Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Middlesex University.

Vulnerable adults in the privately rented sector in England: a snapshot of current practice issues

Hafford-Letchfield, T., Gleeson, H. and Mohammed, R. 2019. Vulnerable adults in the privately rented sector in England: a snapshot of current practice issues. Practice: Social Work in Action. 31 (2), pp. 97-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2018.1455176

Student freedom and responsibility; academic citizenship and societal engagement: politics, professionalism and practice

Lambert, N., Pezzella, A. and Gleeson, H. 2018. Student freedom and responsibility; academic citizenship and societal engagement: politics, professionalism and practice. Philosophy and Theory of Higher Education Conference: ‘Student Being and Becoming in the Future University’. Middlesex University London, United Kingdom 11 - 12 Sep 2018

PMVA training for mental health nursing students

Price, D., Pezzella, A. and Gleeson, H. 2018. PMVA training for mental health nursing students. Mental Health: Proud to be different!. Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom 05 Jun 2018

Giving up? Exploring the perspectives of paid carers on supporting older people living in care homes with depression, self-harm and suicide ideation

Hafford-Letchfield, T., Gleeson, H., Billings, B., Teacher, R. and Quaife, M. 2018. Giving up? Exploring the perspectives of paid carers on supporting older people living in care homes with depression, self-harm and suicide ideation. Mental health, depression, suicidal ideation and behaviour in older people living in care homes. Middlesex University Early Evening Public Seminar 31 Oct 2018 pp. 1-13

The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in the Global North

Gleeson, H. and Kamgain, O. 2018. The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in the Global North. Social Work & Sexualities Conference. University of Montreal, Canada 09 - 10 Aug 2018

The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in Canada

Lee, E., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Pullen Sansfaçon, A., Kamgain, O. and Gleeson, H. 2018. The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in Canada. The Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD) 2018. Dublin, Ireland 04 - 07 Jul 2018 pp. 1-17

The mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI migrants in Europe post migration in relation to the global LGBTQI rights agenda

Gleeson, H. and Hafford-Letchfield, T. 2018. The mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI migrants in Europe post migration in relation to the global LGBTQI rights agenda. Mental Health, Refugees and Migration. Athens Greece 24 May 2018 pp. 1-14

EPPIC: 2nd National report executive summary (England) Descriptions of innovative approaches including professionals’ and young peoples’ perceptions and narratives

Thom, B., Duke, K. and Gleeson, H. 2018. EPPIC: 2nd National report executive summary (England) Descriptions of innovative approaches including professionals’ and young peoples’ perceptions and narratives. Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Middlesex University.

EPPIC: 2nd National report (England) Descriptions of innovative approaches including professionals’ and young peoples’ perceptions and narratives

Thom, B., Duke, K. and Gleeson, H. 2018. EPPIC: 2nd National report (England) Descriptions of innovative approaches including professionals’ and young peoples’ perceptions and narratives. Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Middlesex University.

The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in Canada in relation to the global LGBTQI rights agenda

Lee, E., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Pullen Sansfaçon, A., Kamgain, O., Gleeson, H. and Luu, F. 2017. The state of knowledge about LGBTQI migrants living in Canada in relation to the global LGBTQI rights agenda. Montréal, Canada Université de Montréal.

Systematic review of approaches to using patient experience data for quality improvement in healthcare settings

Gleeson, H., Calderon, A., Swami, V., Deighton, J., Wolpert, M. and Edbrooke-Childs, J. 2016. Systematic review of approaches to using patient experience data for quality improvement in healthcare settings. BMJ Open. 6 (8). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011907

Qualitative process evaluation of a school‐based group intervention (DISCOVER) for depression and anxiety for older adolescents

Weaver, T., Alford, S., Gleeson, H., Sclare, I., Lisk, S. and Brown, J.S.L. 2025. Qualitative process evaluation of a school‐based group intervention (DISCOVER) for depression and anxiety for older adolescents. Journal of Adolescence. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.70083
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