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In recognition of Professor Brian Taylor
Brian Taylor graduated, surprisingly, in Physics, but one can
see how he has applied concepts from natural sciences into
his approach to social sciences, emulating research precision
and excellence in his delivery of education and research and
developing daily practice. He has worked as a social work
practitioner, manager, trainer, lecturer and researcher. He has
worked tirelessly and selflessly for the progression of the
social work profession locally, nationally and internationally.
He was a core contributor to a regional model of
multidisciplinary assessment for Older People (NISAT) which
led to research on dementia and risk in decision making. He has been influential in
the development of the PiP Framework (most recently the 'Advance Scholarship
Award'). Brian straddles the professional and academic worlds with ease and
expertise. He has provided outstanding leadership in developing the profile of social
work in daily practice and research. He has fostered the talents of his colleagues
and students by being the most excellent of leaders, supervisors and
administrators.
He spearheaded the development of systematic literature reviewing in social work,
enhancing understanding of how methodological approaches to searching
bibliographic databases would underpin evidence-based practice. The MSc in
Professional Development; a pioneering development was predicated on enhancing
professional social workers knowledge, skill and understanding of research. His
recent seminal work, to include service users and carers in research training,
culminated in the launch the MSc in 'Development and Co-Production in Social
Care Research':
Service User: "As a service user student on the Research Methods Programme,
Professor Taylor's support, inspiration and belief in parity of participation has been
invaluable".
Through his PhD supervision, he fostered the evidenced based approach, enabling
candidates to advance professional knowledge across a diverse range of topics so
their dissemination of findings contributed to enhancing social work practice:
Student "…an outstanding PhD supervisor on all fronts. He is incredibly
knowledgeable, capable, highly intelligent, curious, meticulous, understanding,
supportive, motivating, humorous and most of all modest and authentic".
Brian has achieved international eminence in the research community for his work
on, but not exclusively, decision making, assessment, risk, use of knowledge in
social work. Citations for his publications confirm the high esteem of his articles. His
books are regarded as core texts for many practicing social workers and
academics.