Dr Richard Brunner

Research Associate (Sociology)
Associate (School of Health & Wellbeing)

email: Richard.Brunner@glasgow.ac.uk

School Of Social & Political, Sciences

Biography

I am part-time Research Associate in the Centre for Disability Research, Department of Sociology. My current focus is research in collaboration with Glasgow Disability Alliance, a disabled people's organisation. We are producing evidence seeking to remove barriers to disabled people's participation; reduce disabled people's poverty and increase disabled people's employment; transform social care and independent living outcomes; and reduce the drivers of mental distress. We are focusing on Scotland and Glasgow in particular. Prior to this, I researched disabled peoples' experiences in England and Scotland during Covid-19, in a collaboration between University of Glasgow and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

My Ph.D. in Sociology (University of Glasgow, 2011-2015) explored what people are able to do and be after being in psychiatric hospital using qualitative methods and the capabilities approach. From 2015-2019 I became Research Associate with What Works Scotland also at University of Glasgow, facilitating Collaborative Action Research with public services. Prior to these I worked as Research Fellow at University of Strathclyde in the School of Education (2008-11), conducting qualitative research into topics including disabled parents, educational transitions, domestic abuse prevention, and teaching and human rights. My previous career included support work with homeless people, mental health advocacy, community development, and policy work in the statutory and third sectors with a focus on equality and diversity, disability and mental health. I have written, published, collaboratively produced, and disseminated widely from my research, seeking conceptual and empirical impact in academic, policy, practice and social contexts. I have an MSc. in Social Policy (LSE, 2002), an MSc. in Social Research (GCU, 2010), and a degree in Sociology from the University of East London (1989).

Research interests

I have conducted extensive qualitative social scientific research, including action research approaches, with a wide range of marginalised groups and also with professionals. My ongoing research seeks to understand the experiences and inequalities of people with mental distress, disabled people, people with health issues, and other easy-to-ignore groups, using sociological concepts. I seek to use these empirical and conceptual understandings to empower marginalised groups, challenge oppression, influence public policy, and improve social justice outcomes. I also have an ongoing interest in the role of public services in improving outcomes for marginalised groups and individuals. I have an ongoing interest in applications of the capabilities approach to frame how we understand human outcomes. A lot of my research has been interdisciplinary and collaborative.

Publications

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Jump to: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2005

Number of items: 67.

2023

Brunner, R. (2023) What works in community-based adult social care in Scotland? Documentation. University of Glasgow and Glasgow Disability Alliance.

Scherer, N., Wiseman, P. , Watson, N. , Brunner, R. , Cullingworth, J. , Hameed, S., Pearson, C. and Shakespeare, T. (2023) 'Do they ever think about people like us?': The experiences of people with learning disabilities in England and Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical Social Policy, 43(3), pp. 423-447. (doi: 10.1177/02610183221109147) (PMID:37461432) (PMCID:PMC9240722)

Brunner, R. (2023) What works in social care? Preliminary research report. Documentation. University of Glasgow.

Brunner, R. , Burke, T., Scobie, M. and Lawson, S. (2023) A Time to be Bold Scotland-wide learning from the GDA Future Visions projects. Documentation. University of Glasgow and Glasgow Disability Alliance.

Scobie, M., Brunner, R. and McAloon, F. (2023) Navigating social care, independent living and human rights. Four Community Navigator cases from Future Visions for Social Care. Documentation. University of Glasgow and Glasgow Disability Alliance.

Zarkou, N. and Brunner, R. (2023) How should we think about “unmet need” in social care? A critical exploratory literature review. Documentation. University of Glasgow.

2022

Cullingworth, J. , Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2022) Not the usual suspects: creating the conditions for and implementing co-production with marginalised young people in Glasgow. Public Policy and Administration, (doi: 10.1177/09520767221140439) (Early Online Publication)

Bennett, H. and Brunner, R. (2022) Political and ethical dilemmas in multi-agency participatory research: the role of the buffer zone. Methodological Innovations, 15(3), pp. 387-399. (doi: 10.1177/20597991221129775)

Cullingworth, J. , Watson, N. , Shakespeare, T., Brunner, R. , Pearson, C. and Scherer, N. (2022) “They have been a saving grace in all this”: the role of the third sector in disabled people’s experiences of COVID-19 and implications for sector–state relations. Voluntary Sector Review, (Early Online Publication)

Pearson, C. , Watson, N. , Brunner, R. , Cullingworth, J. , Hameed, S., Scherer, N. and Shakespeare, T. (2022) Covid-19 and the crisis in social care: exploring the experiences of disabled people in the pandemic. Social Policy and Society, (doi: 10.1017/S1474746422000112) (Early Online Publication)

Brunner, R. and Glasgow DPO Network, (2022) Ending Poverty and Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled People in Glasgow beyond Covid-19. Documentation. Glasgow Disability Alliance and University of Glasgow, Glasgow.

Bennett, H. and Brunner, R. (2022) Nurturing the buffer zone: conducting collaborative action research in contemporary contexts. Qualitative Research, 22(1), pp. 74-92. (doi: 10.1177/1468794120965373)

Brunner, R. and Glasgow DPO Network, (2022) Transforming participation for disabled people in Glasgow beyond Covid 19. Documentation. Glasgow Disability Alliance and University of Glasgow, Glasgow.

Shakespeare, T., Watson, N. , Brunner, R. , Cullingworth, J. , Hameed, S., Scherer, N., Pearson, C. and Reichenberger, V. (2022) Disabled people in Britain and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Policy and Administration, 56(1), pp. 103-117. (doi: 10.1111/spol.12758) (PMID:34548712) (PMCID:PMC8446989)

2021

Cullingworth, J. , Brunner, R. and Shakespeare, T. (2021) Disabled People in Britain and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. [Website]

Shakespeare, T., Watson, N. , Brunner, R. , Cullingworth, J. , Hameed, S., Pearson, C. , Scherer, N. and Reichenberger, V. (2021) Disabled people and the impact of COVID-19: four urgent messages for the government. [Website]

2020

Brunner, R. (2020) Social Policy and the Capability Approach. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 21(3), pp. 301-303. (doi: 10.1080/19452829.2020.1778229)[Book Review]

Pearson, C. , Brunner, R. , Porter, T. and Watson, N. (2020) Personalisation and the promise of independent living: where now for cash, care and control for disability organisations across the UK? Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 22(1), pp. 285-295. (doi: 10.16993/sjdr.742)

2019

Brunner, R. , Craig, P. and Watson, N. (2019) Evaluability assessment: an application in a complex community improvement setting. Evaluation, 25(3), pp. 349-365. (doi: 10.1177/1356389019852126) (PMID:31379464) (PMCID:PMC6628461)

Brunner, R. (2019) Critical realism and the ‘fourth wave’: deepening and broadening social perspectives on mental distress. In: Watson, N. and Vehmas, S. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Disability Studies [2nd Edition]. Routledge: London. ISBN 9781138365308

2018

Brunner, R. , Bennett, H., Bynner, C. and Henderson, J. (2018) Collaborative Action Research and Public Services: Insights into Methods, Findings and Implications for Public Service Reform. Other. What Works Scotland.

Brunner, R. (2018) Lived Experiences of Mental Distress: What Can the Capabilities Approach Tell Us? Qualitative Research on Mental Health (QRMH7), Berlin, Germany, 20-22 Sept 2018. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2018) What Does Applying Martha Nussbaum’s Domains Model of the Capabilities Approach Tell Us about the Social Justice Experiences of People with Mental Distress? British Sociological Association 50th Anniversary Medical Sociology Conference 2018, Glasgow, UK, 12-14 Sept 2018. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2018) Evaluating Threshold Domain Achievement: Methodological Findings from a Qualitative Study with People That Have Been in Psychiatric Hospital. Human Development and Capabilities Association Annual Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 30 Aug-01 Sept 2018. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. and Bennett, H. (2018) Nurturing the Buffer Zone: Conducting Collaborative Action Research with Public Service Practitioners in Scotland. Social Policy Association Annual Conference, York, UK, 11-13 July 2018. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. and Bennett, H. (2018) Nurturing the Buffer Zone: Conducting Collaborative Action Research with Public Service Practitioners in Scotland. University of Glasgow Sociology Seminar Series, Glasgow, UK, 10 Jan 2018. (Unpublished)

Cullingworth, J. , Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2018) The Operation Modulus Approach: Further Lessons for Public Service Reform. Other. What Works Scotland.

2017

Brunner, R. (2017) Why do people with mental distress have poor social outcomes? Four lessons from the capabilities approach. Social Science and Medicine, 191, pp. 160-167. (doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.09.016) (PMID:28923521)

Brunner, R. and Pradeau, G. (2017) Public service reform and participatory budgeting: How can Scotland learn from international evidence? [Audio]

Brunner, R. , Craig, P. and Watson, N. (2017) Evaluability Assessment of Thriving Places: a Report for Glasgow Community Planning Partnership. Other. What Works Scotland.

Brunner, R. (2017) Compatibilities and Synergies Between Critical Realism and the Capabilities Approach in Explaining Social Outcomes. British Sociological Association Conference, Manchester, United Kingdom, 4-6 April 2017. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2017) Creating Capabilities in Areas of Multiple Deprivation: A Case Study of a Homework and Cooking Club in Glasgow’s East End. Workshop on Healthy, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, Bradford, United Kingdom, 13-14 July 2017. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2017) How Can the Capabilities Approach Contribute to Understanding Inequalities in Outcome for People with Mental Distress? Social Policy Association Annual Conference 2017, Durham, United Kingdom, 10-12 July 2017. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2017) Why do People with Mental Distress Have Poor Social Outcomes? Four Lessons from the Capabilities Approach. BSA Medical Sociology Conference 2017, York, United Kingdom, 13-15 Sept 2017. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2017) Public Services as Conversion Factors: Exploring the Theory and Practice. Cambridge Capabilities Conference, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 19-21 June 2017. (Unpublished)

2016

Brunner, R. , Bennett, H., Bynner, C. and Henderson, J. (2016) "Challenge Current Practice and Assumptions! Make waves!!” : What Works Scotland Collaborative Learning Event 23 & 24 February 2016 Queens Hotel, Perth. Other. What Works Scotland, Glasgow.

Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2016) Operation Modulus: Putting Christie into Practice in Gorbals. Working Paper. What Works Scotland.

Brunner, R. (2016) Mental Health Recovery Reframed: Towards a Capabilities Model of Mental Distress [poster]. The Meanings of Recovery: A Dialogue Across the Sociologies of Mental Health, Physical Illness, Injury and Addiction, Surrey, UK, 11-12 July 2016.

Brunner, R. (2016) What Can the Capabilities Approach Tell Us about the Social Justice Experiences of People with Mental Distress? Findings from a Recent Qualitative Study. Institute of Health and Wellbeing IHW, Disability and Social Science Group, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 16 March 2016. (Unpublished)

2015

Bennett, H., Bland, N., Brunner, R. , Bynner, C. , Cook, A. and Henderson, J. (2015) Collaborative Action Retreat Report: Summary of Retreat Held in June 2015. Project Report. What Works Scotland, Glasgow.

Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2015) Capabilities, Public Service Reform and Social Justice. Marginalisation, Stigma and Choice? A Workshop Jointly Organised by the Behavior, Structure and Interventions Research Network and Policy Scotland, Glasgow, UK, 22-23 June 2015. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2015) Disability and justice: the capabilities approach in practice. Disability and Society, 30(2), pp. 310-312. (doi: 10.1080/09687599.2014.984931)[Book Review]

Brunner, R. and Watson, N. (2015) What can the capabilities approach add to policy analysis in high-income countries? Working Paper. What Works Scotland.

2014

Cassidy, C., Brunner, R. and Webster, E. (2014) Teaching human rights? 'All hell will break loose!'. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 9(1), pp. 19-33. (doi: 10.1177/1746197913475768)

Brunner, R. (2014) Conversion Factors Re-Examined: Using Capabilities as an Analytical Framework for Qualitative Research in Mental Health. Human Development and Capabilities Association Annual Conference, Athens, Greece, 02-05 Sep 2014. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2014) Mental Health Reframed: Towards a Capabilities Model of Mental Distress. Institute of Health and Wellbeing Student-led Conference, University of Glasgow, UK, 05 Jun 2014. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2014) Survivors, Thrivers and Outsiders: Using the Capabilities Approach to Reconceptualise Mental Distress within a Social Framework. Disability Studies Conference, University of Lancaster, 9-11 Sep 2014. (Unpublished)

Wilson, A., Hunter, K., Spohrer, K., Brunner, R. and Beasley, A. (2014) Mentoring into higher education: a useful addition to the landscape of widening access to higher education? Scottish Educational Review, 46(2), pp. 18-35.

2013

Brunner, R. (2013) The Capabilities Approach, Mental Distress and Social Justice. Human Development and Capabilities Association Annual Conference, Managua, Nicaragua, 9-12 Sep 2013. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2013) The Capabilities Approach, Mental Distress and Social Justice. 11th European Sociological Association Annual Conference: Crisis, Critique and Change, University of Turin, Italy, 28-31 Aug 2013. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2013) Mental Health, Employment and Social Justice: A Capabilities Analysis. Disability and Mental Health Research Day, University of Strathclyde, UK, 14 Nov 2013. (Unpublished)

2012

Anam, S., Brunner, R. , Din, A., Hunter, K., Javaid, A., Mehmood, O., Raif, Z., Raza, L., Sadiq, R. and Sattar, A. (2012) BME Youth Unemployment: A Fresh Perspective. Project Report. Active Life Club, Glasgow.

Brunner, R. (2012) How Might the Capabilities Approach Enhance the Social Understanding of Mental Distress? A Critique and Development of Existing Models. Institute of Health and Wellbeing Student-led Conference, University of Glasgow, UK, 26 Nov 2012. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2012) How Might the Capabilities Approach Enhance Understanding of Lived Experiences of Mental Distress? A Review of Literature. Disability Studies Conference: Disability, Poverty and Neo-Liberalism, University of Lancaster, UK, 11-13 Sep 2012. (Unpublished)

2011

Stalker, K. O., Brunner, R. , Maguire, R. and Mitchell, J. (2011) Tackling the barriers to disabled parents’ involvement in their children’s education. Educational Review, 63(2), pp. 233-250. (doi: 10.1080/00131911.2010.537313)

2010

Brunner, R. , Emejulu, A. and Hunter, K. (2010) Methodologies for Studying the Well-Being of Minority Ethnic Groups in Scotland. British Sociological Association Annual Conference - Inequalities and Social Justice, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK, 7-9 Apr 2010. (Unpublished)

Brunner, R. (2010) A Baseline Study of Domestic Abuse Prevention Activities in Seven Local Authorities in Scotland. Project Report. National Children and Young People's Prevention Network, Scotland.

Brunner, R. (2010) Disabled Parents’ Involvement in Their Children’s Education: Implications for Policy and for Models of Mental Distress. Social Policy Association Annual Conference, University of Lincoln, UK, 05-07 Jul 2010. (Unpublished)

Finlay, I., Brunner, R. and Seagraves, L. (2010) Narrowing the Achievement Gap: What and How Schools Learn Through Involvement in the Specialist Schools Achievement Programme, Phase One Report. Project Report. Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, London.

Wilson, A., Brunner, R. and Seagraves, L. (2010) Narrowing the Achievement Gap: What and How Schools Learn Through Involvement in the Specialist Schools Achievement Programme, Phase Two Report. Project Report. Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, London.

2009

Brunner, R. (2009) Disabled Parents’ Involvement in Their Children’s Education: Preliminary Mental Health Findings. Scottish Education Research Association Annual Conference, Perth, UK, 27 Nov 2009. (Unpublished)

Maguire, R., Brunner, R. , Stalker, K. and Mitchell, J. (2009) Disabled Parents’ Involvement in their Children’s Education: Guidance for Schools. Project Report. CfBT Education Trust, Reading.

2008

Brunner, R. , Novotny, V. and Zakaria, P. (2008) Assessment of Students’ Additional Support Needs: Baseline Study of the Current Structures. Project Report. Scottish Funding Council, Edinburgh.

2007

Brunner, R. (2007) Exploring Disability Disclosure Amongst College and University Staff in Scotland. Project Report. Equality Forward, Stirling.

Brunner, R. (2007) Exploring Disability Disclosure Amongst College and University Staff in Scotland: Developmental Findings. Social Policy Association Annual Conference, University of Birmingham, UK, 23 Jul 2007. (Unpublished)

2005

Brunner, R. (2005) Asylum Matters for Scotland. Project Report. Atlas Partnership, Glasgow.

Brunner, R. (2005) Evolving Practice and Developing Policy. Project Report. Atlas Partnership, Glasgow.

This list was generated on Fri Apr 19 16:08:13 2024 BST.