More

Professor Julie Fish

Job: Chair in Social Work & Health Inequalities

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: School of Applied Social Sciences

Address: De Montfort, University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0)116 257 7750

E: jfish@dmu.ac.uk

W: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/hls

Social Media: www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/browse?type=author&value=Fish%2C+Julie

 

Close all sections
Open all sections

Personal profile

Professor Julie Fish, Chair in Social Work and Health Inequalities

Director of the Centre for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans and Queer Research at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK .

Deputy Director, Institute of Health, Health Policy & Social Care

Julie Fish was written widely on LGBT health and health inequalities. Her edited collection is published by the Policy Press, Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities: International perspectives in Social Work. She has conducted several projects in LGB people with cancer funded by the Department of Health, the ESRC and Macmillan Cancer Support. She has been a member of a number of government advisory groups. 

  • LGBT health inequalities
  • Service user involvement/ co-production approaches
  • Critical/qualitative health research
  • Health and wellbeing among BAME people from LGB communities
  • Identities and intersectionality

 

Research group affiliations

  • Director, Centre for LGBTQ Research
  • Deputy Director, Institute of Health, Health Policy & Social Care

Publications and outputs

  • Methods of attempted suicide and risk factors in LGBTQ+ youth
    dc.title: Methods of attempted suicide and risk factors in LGBTQ+ youth dc.contributor.author: Wang, Yuanyuan; Feng, Yi; Han, Meng; Duan, Zhizhou; Wilson, Amanda; Fish, Julie; Sun, Shufang; Chen, Runsen dc.description.abstract: Background This study aimed to identify patterns of attempted suicide methods and risk factors in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other gender/sexual minority (LGBTQ+) youth by comparing them to non-LGBTQ+ youth. Methods A total of 9281 Chinese college students completed the study, 8313 participants were included in the analysis of which 1032 were LGBTQ+ youth and 7281 were non-LGBTQ+ youth. Sociodemographic information was collected along with several scales and self-report items. This included anxiety scores using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, depression scores using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, mania score using the Altman Self-Rating Mania (ASRM), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) victimization using the World Health Organization's definition. Self-report items were used to further collect history of non-fatal self-injurious behaviors, parents' related risk factors, history of suicide attempts, and methods of attempted suicide. Results The prevalence of attempted suicide in LGBTQ+ youth was 4.2%, which in comparison was more than four times higher than non-LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth 19–22 years old were at a significantly higher risk of attempting suicide than non-LGBTQ+ youth. The most common method of attempted suicide was cutting of the wrist, followed by jumping from a high height. There were some common suicide risk factors that were similar between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youth, such as living in a rural area, having a history of a psychiatric disorder, and having a history of non-fatal self-injurious behaviors. The associated increased risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth were having a higher score for CTQ-emotional abuse and CTQ-sexual abuse. Limitation The causality of risk factors to attempted suicide cannot be assumed due to the cross-sectional nature of the survey. Also, due to the relatively small sample size within the subgroups, we did not assess LGBTQ+ youth separately according to the different sexuality groups. Conclusion LGBTQ+ youth showed a higher prevalence of attempted suicide when compared to their heterosexual peers. Emotional and sexual abuse showed higher rates among LGBTQ+ youth, the cumulative effects of childhood trauma might explain the difficulties in developing healthy coping styles.
  • What Are LGBT+ Inequalities in Health and Social Support—Why Should We Tackle Them?
    dc.title: What Are LGBT+ Inequalities in Health and Social Support—Why Should We Tackle Them? dc.contributor.author: Fish, Julie; Almack, Kathy; Hafford-Letchfield, Trish; Toze, Michael dc.description.abstract: Introduction Health inequalities are differences in health experiences and outcomes which arise through the everyday circumstances of people’s lives and the appropriateness of the systems put in place to support them. Such differences stem from social inequalities. As they can be alleviated through social policy, they are a key concern for global public health. Worldwide, they are the focus of governmental efforts to reduce avoidable differences in health (e.g., in the UK, Health equity in England 2020 [1] and in the USA, Healthy People 2030 [2]). The salience of health inequalities in public life cannot be over-emphasized; for example, it has informed policymaking since Engels’ [3] 1845 ground-breaking text on the condition of the working class in England and numerous policy initiatives since then (e.g., in the UK, The Black Report 1979, The Acheson Inquiry 1998, Fair Society, Healthy Lives 2010). In an international context, the World Health Organization (WHO) [4] has developed an equity framework for the Social Determinants of Health which identifies structural determinants including the socio-economic context, the processes of government, public policies, cultural and social value together with people’s protected characteristics. However, while gender, social class and ethnicity are acknowledged as influences on people’s circumstances, living conditions, health behaviors and psychosocial well-being; the influence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) on health equity for LGBT+ people is overlooked. This contributes to the subordinate status of SOGI in international policymaking, practice developments and the funding of research to inform evidence-based decision-making. dc.description: open access article
  • Older LGBT+ Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: Setting a Research Agenda
    dc.title: Older LGBT+ Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: Setting a Research Agenda dc.contributor.author: Westwood, Sue; Willis, Paul; Fish, Julie; Hafford-Letchfield, Trish; Semlyen, Joanna; King, Andrew; Beach, Brian; Almack, Kathryn; Kneale, Dylan; Toze, Michael; Becares, Lara dc.description.abstract: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+a (LGBT+) people report poorer health than the general population and worse experiences of healthcare particularly cancer, palliative/end-of-life, dementia and mental health provision. This is attributable to: a) social inequalities, including ‘minority stress’; b) associated health-risk behaviours (e.g. smoking, excessive drug/alcohol use, obesity); c) loneliness and isolation, affecting physical/mental health and mortality; d) anticipated/experienced discrimination and e) inadequate understandings of needs among healthcare providers. Older LGBT+ people are particularly affected, due to the effects of both cumulative disadvantage and ageing. There is a need for greater and more robust research data to support growing international and national government initiatives aimed at addressing these health inequalities. We identify seven key research strategies: 1) Production of large datasets; 2) Comparative data collection; 3) Addressing diversity and intersectionality among LGBT+ older people; 4) Investigation of healthcare services’ capacity to deliver LGBT+ affirmative healthcare and associated education and training needs; 5) Identification of effective health promotion and/or treatment interventions for older LGBT+ people, and sub-groups within this umbrella category; 6) Development an (older) LGBT+ health equity model; 7) Utilisation of social justice concepts to ensure meaningful, change-orientated data production which will inform and support government policy, health promotion and healthcare interventions. dc.description: The file author's final peer reviewed version can be found by following the URI link. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • Applying a Capabilities Approach to Understanding Older LGBT People’s Disclosures of Identity in Community Primary Care
    dc.title: Applying a Capabilities Approach to Understanding Older LGBT People’s Disclosures of Identity in Community Primary Care dc.contributor.author: Toze, Michael; Fish, Julie; Hafford-Letchfield, Trish; Almack, Kathryn dc.description.abstract: Internationally, there is increasing recognition that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) populations experience substantial public health inequalities and require interventions to address these inequalities, yet data on this population is often not routinely collected. This paper considers the case study of the UK, where there are proposals to improve government and health data collection on LGBT populations, but also a degree of apparent uncertainty over the purpose and relevance of information about LGBT status in healthcare. This paper applies a health capabilities framework, arguing that the value of health information about LGBT status should be assessed according to whether it improves LGBT people’s capability to achieve good health. We draw upon 36 older LGBT people’s qualitative accounts of disclosing LGBT status within UK general practice healthcare. Participants’ accounts of the benefits and risks of disclosure could be mapped against multiple domains of capability, including those that closely align with biomedical accounts (e.g., longevity and physical health), but also more holistic considerations (e.g., emotion and a liation). However, across all domains, individuals tend to assess capabilities at an individual level, with relatively little reference to population-level impact of disclosure. Clearer articulation of the benefits of disclosure and data collection for the collective capabilities of LGBT populations may be a beneficial strategy for improving the quality of information on LGBT populations. dc.description: Data from PhD research University of Lincoln open access article
  • Minority Stress among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in the UK: A Service Provider Perspective
    dc.title: Minority Stress among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in the UK: A Service Provider Perspective dc.contributor.author: Rehman, Zaqia; Jaspal, Rusi; Fish, Julie dc.description.abstract: Mental health inequalities among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people from lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) communities persist and remain under-researched. This study is the first in the UK to explore, from the perspective of service providers, minority stress experienced by BAME LGB people. Twenty-three participants were interviewed and data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Minority stress theory was utilised to inform the analysis, yielding the following themes: (1) Stress induced by conflicting sociocultural norms, (2) interpersonal inhibitors of coming out, (3) and problematic coping. BAME LGB individuals are exposed to stressors due to their intersecting sexual, gender, religious, and cultural identities. Major psychological stressors include stigmatised identity, expectations of a heterosexual marriage, and maladaptive coping strategies. This study sheds light on the potential steps that can be taken to ensure effective coping responses among BAME LGB people. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • Incorporating photographic data in health psychology research: the LGBT persons living with MS study
    dc.title: Incorporating photographic data in health psychology research: the LGBT persons living with MS study dc.contributor.author: Papaloukas, P.; Fish, Julie; Williamson, I. R. dc.description.abstract: This study explores the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) individuals living with the chronic condition of multiple sclerosis (MS) whose effects are both specific and profound. Long-term conditions have been under-explored in LGBT communities outside of the context of HIV, especially via a multi-methodological qualitative approach. The research employs an innovative integrative conceptual framework, in order to investigate this topic. It is posited within a critical health psychology epistemological paradigm, theoretically informed by phenomenological psychology and visual ethnography. The integrated data have been collected via interviews and participant-authored photographs which have been analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Twenty-eight participants, including participants from several European countries, have taken part. The analysis of the data has produced several themes. For the purposes of this paper we specifically discuss the theme of ‘Living with MS: Visual and verbal accounts of adjusting to disability and ableism in the LGBT communities’. MS is a transformative condition which alters the core self of individuals and fundamentally alters their perceived, and felt relations with other members of the LGBT communities. Their life is infused by heteronormativity assumptions, and influenced by heterosexist and ableist experiences, creating a new lifeworld. We discuss insights from the study, applications for intervention and aware-raising and consider additional opportunities for applied and impactful opportunities which the participant-authored photos have provide us with. We illustrate this with our reflections on a recent dissemination and engagement event which took the form of a public photographic exhibition.
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* individuals living with multiple sclerosis: a visual ethnophenomenological exploration
    dc.title: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* individuals living with multiple sclerosis: a visual ethnophenomenological exploration dc.contributor.author: Fish, Julie; Williamson, I. R. dc.description.abstract: Background: The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans*(LGBT) individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS). There is little research on how members of sexual and gender-related minorities navigate the challenges of chronic illness. There has not been any research conducted within LGBT populations in an MS context, even though the impacts of MS are severe and specific in relation to aspects of identity, community participation and socio-cultural status. Method: The study uses a multi-qualitative methodological approach informed by an integrative theoretical framework influenced by critical health psychology, phenomenology and visual ethnography. Interviews are used with photographs authored by the participants. The data are analysed by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Sixteen LGBT individuals within and beyond Europe have taken part in the study. Findings: This presentation focuses on two themes which are illustrated through a series of extracts and images: In ‘Narratives of biographical metamorphosis’ we discuss the transformative nature of MS with regard to issues pertaining to identity and well-being. In ‘Navigating landscapes of heterosexism and ableism’ we explore the everyday challenges of being a disabled non-heterosexual individual and specifically in relation to interpersonal relationships and socio-economic status. Discussion: Ideas of LGBT-affirmative psychosocial support for people with chronic illnesses are explored. We offer recommendations of how the wellbeing of disabled individuals might be enhanced (information on accessibility informed by disabled persons themselves; awareness campaigns on the invisibility of chronic illness and disability). Finally, visually-informed dissemination opportunities are discussed.
  • Engagement event SUI with Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Services
    dc.title: Engagement event SUI with Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Services dc.contributor.author: Szabo, A.; Turgoose, Di; Fish, Julie dc.description.abstract: This inter-disciplinary project’s aim was to build research capacity collaboratively with service providers in Sexual Violence Domestic Violence (SVDV) services in Leicestershire at a networking event. This event builds on a successfully completed SVDV Research Network funded project managed by the same project team which explored Service User Involvement (SUI) in SVDV services. In this event the SVDV Research group has teamed up with the re-launched Social Work & Social Justice Justice Participation Research Group. SUI is an area of expertise at DMU since the establishment of the Centre for Social Action, evidenced by contributions to the SWSJPRG seminar held 27/11/17, and the World Social Way Conference that SWSJPRG organises on 23/03/2018. There is also an established SVDV Research Network at DMU. At the event we brought together experts and key-stakeholders involved in SVDV (perpetrator and victim) services to exchange ideas on SUI in service design and delivery. SUI was recently incorporated as a quality standard in commissioning; yet nationally there are few examples of good practice. In order to achieve these aims, the team organised this one-day engagement event to: disseminate research findings; facilitate the exchange of good practice and networking among participants; and gather feedback on the findings from the SVDV Research Network project. The event included presentations and panel discussions and was intended to inform the development of a DMU-led grant application, an infographic on SUI in SVDV services and the production of a journal article. Potential participants include service providers (e.g. Women’s Aid, Living Without Abuse, Jenkins Centre, Sexual Assault Referral Centre), alongside Service Users (e.g. LCC SVDV Scrutiny Group), staff from LCC community safety team, representatives from the Police & Crime Commissioner and co-commissioning groups, as well as visiting speakers with experience of achieving SUI in SVDV services
  • Disclosure in lesbian, gay and bisexual cancer care: towards a salutogenic healthcare environment
    dc.title: Disclosure in lesbian, gay and bisexual cancer care: towards a salutogenic healthcare environment dc.contributor.author: Fish, Julie; Brown, Jayne; Williamson, I. R. dc.description.abstract: Background: The literature on sexual orientation disclosure is arguably one of the most developed in the field of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in healthcare in English speaking countries however, relatively little research has been conducted into disclosure in cancer care. Studies have been mainly undertaken in primary care where distinct circumstances pertain and where the benefits of disclosure include obtaining appropriate health information, treatment advice and avoiding misdiagnosis. Methods: We conducted an in-depth qualitative study primarily recruiting patients through oncology care in hospital settings and through LGB community cancer support groups. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 30 LGB patients with different cancer types. Results: Data were analysed using thematic analysis and interpreted and interrogated through salutogenesis theory which offers a useful lens through which to consider the health promoting effects of sexual orientation disclosure in cancer care. We present three themes as part of the analysis: Authenticity as a driver for disclosure in cancer care, Partners as a (potential) salutogenic resource and Creating safe, healing environments conducive to disclosure. The findings are reported and discussed in relation to three inter-related concepts from current salutogenesis theorising including a sense of coherence, generalised resistance resources and healing environments which can facilitate sexual orientation disclosure. Conclusion: Our findings enable a more nuanced approach to understanding disclosure in this context. This study contributes to the literature through its articulation of the salutogenic potential of disclosure (if responded to appropriately) for LGB patients as individuals, in relationship to their partners or carers and the role of creating a visible healing-oriented optimal environment to promote quality of life and recovery. dc.description: open access article
  • All the lonely people, where do they all belong? An interpretive synthesis of loneliness and social support in older lesbian, gay and bisexual communities.
    dc.title: All the lonely people, where do they all belong? An interpretive synthesis of loneliness and social support in older lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. dc.contributor.author: Fish, Julie; Weis, Christina dc.description.abstract: Purpose: Loneliness is a phenomenon which affects people globally and constitutes a key social issue of our time. Yet few studies have considered the nature of loneliness and social support for older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people; this is of particular concern as they are among the social groups said to be at greater risk. Design/methodology/approach: Peer-reviewed literature was identified through a search of Scopus, PsycINFO and PubMed. A total of 2,277 papers were retrieved including qualitative and quantitative studies which were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Findings: Eleven papers were included in the review and findings were synthesised using thematic analysis. The studies were conducted in five countries worldwide with a combined sample size of 53,332 participants, of whom 4,288 were drawn from among LGB communities. The characteristics and circumstances associated with loneliness included including living arrangements, housing tenure, minority stress and geographical proximity. Research limitations/implications: The review suggests that among older LGB people, living alone, not being partnered and being childfree may increase the risk of loneliness. This cohort of older people may experience greater difficulties in building relationships of trust and openness. They may also have relied on sources of identity-based social support that are in steep decline. Future research should include implementation studies to evaluate effective strategies in reducing loneliness among older LGB people. Practical implications: Reaching older LGB people who are vulnerable due to physical mobility or rural isolation and loneliness because of bereavement or being a carer are concerns. A range of interventions including individual (befriending), group-based (for social contact) in addition to potential benefits from the Internet of Things should be evaluated. Discussions with the Voluntary and Community Sector suggest that take up of existing provision is 85:15 GB men vs LB women. Originality/value: We sought to interrogate the tension between findings of lower levels of social support and discourses of resilient care offered by families of choice. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.

View a full listing of Julie Fish's publications and outputs.

Key research outputs

Books

Fish, J. and Karban, K. (eds) (2015) Social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health inequalities: International perspectives. Bristol: The Policy Press.

Fish, J. (2012) Social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people: Making a difference. Bristol: The Policy Press.

Fish, J. (2006) Heterosexism in Health & Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Research interests/expertise

  • Older Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans health and social care. 
  • Health Equality and LGBT+ Health Inequalities
  • Qualitative methods
  • Public and Patient Involvement.

Areas of teaching


  • Participatory approaches to research
  • Survey design
  • Inclusivity in research
  • Intersectionality

Qualifications

BA (Hons) English, University of York

PGCE English and Drama, Bretton Hall, University of Leeds

MA Women's Studies, Wolverhampton University

PhD Lesbians' experiences of breast and cervical screening, Loughborough University

Courses taught

  • Doctoral Training Programme
  • Supervision of PhD students

Membership of external committees

Editor, Campbell Collaborative Group: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

East Midlands, Research Design Service Comittee

Australian Research Council Linkage Fund Out with Cancer (OWC): Multiple perspectives on LGBT cancer experiences, leading to development and evaluation of psycho-educational interventions and health-care guidelines PI Prof Ussher Member of advisory group.

Conference attendance

2018 ‘Queerying activism through the lens of the sociology of everyday life’, Sexualities and Social Work Conference, University of Montreal, 10th August.

https://sexualitysocialwork.wordpress.com/social-work-and-sexualities-conference-montreal-2018/

2016 Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer women’s health conference; connections- creativity-care. Invited keynote. The Jaspar Hotel, Melbourne, Australia. Victorian Aids Council & ACON Health Sydney. 27th May. http://www.vac.org.au/LBQWHC2016

2015 Teaching research in social work education. Presentation to the European Schools of Social Work conference, Bicocca University, Milan 29th June. Symposium with Prof. Steffan Hojer, University of Gothenberg and Prof. Silvia Fargon, University of Bolazano, Italy. 

Fish, J (2013) Health research with LGBT people.  Invited plenary presentation on LGBT health and health inequalities for University Hospitals Leicester staff.  3 July 2013

Fish, J (2013) International social work's role in tackling health inequalities: A new agenda for SWE?  Presentation to the 7th International conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health.  University of Southern California, Los Angeles.  23-28 June 2013

Fish, J (2013) Developing cultural competence for LGBT people with cancer.  Presentation to the 7th International conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health.  University of Southern California, Los Angeles.  23-28 June 2013.

On behalf of the Social Work and Health Inequalities Network, I joint convened two symposia at the Social Work in Health and Mental Health conference in Los Angeles in 'LGBT health inequalities' and 'SWHI in social work education'.

Fish, J (2013) LGBT Carers: Exploring Queer care.  Presentation to ESRC Carers' seminar: Individual carers: personalized needs.  De Montfort University.  4 June 2013

Fish, J and Lilley, G (2013) Older LGBT people: participation and inclusion in public services.  Invited plenary presentation to Family Outing, the Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, annual LGBT workers' conference.  17 May 2013 (led two workshops) 

Fish, J (2012) Making a difference in the lives of LGBT children and young people.  NSPCC Conference, NSPCC HQ Beaumont Leys, Leicester.  28 November 2012

Fish, J (2012) Taking action on LGBT health and social care inequalities.  Presentation to Social work and Social Development.  Stockholm, Sweden.  Joint World Social work conference.  8-12 July 2012

Fish, J and Karban, K (2012) Health inequalities at the heart of the social work curriculum.  Presentation to Social work and Social Development.  Stockholm, Sweden.  Joint World Social work conference.  8-12 July 2012

Fish, J (2011) Inter-professional working to reduce cancer inequalities in lesbian and bisexual women with breast cancer.  Presentation to 1st European Social Work Research Conference.  Oxford University, UK. March 23-25

Fish, J (2011) Coming out about breast cancer: Involving users and stakeholders. Public and Patient Involvement seminar. Leicester University. 24 May.

Fish, J (2011) Coming out about breast cancer: Involving users and stakeholders. Public and Patient Involvement seminar. University of Northampton 1 June.

Fish, J (2011) Writing for Publication. Presentation to the Researcher Development Initiative in Social Work. University of Bedford. 7 June.

Fish, J (2011) Health and social care inequalities. Presentation to the HLS Health and Wellbeing showcase. 22 June.

Fish, J (2011) Making It Happen: Achieving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality in the NHS South West. Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton. 28 June.

Willis, P, Fish, J, Pugh, S, Bailey, L, Ward, N (2011) Exploring Queer Care in Social Work: Meeting the needs and interests of LGBT carers. Presentation to the 2011 JSWEC conference. University of Manchester, 14 July.

Karban, K and Fish, J (2011) Health inequalities – at the heart of the social work curriculum. Presentation to the 2011 JSWEC conference. University of Manchester, 14 July.

Fish, J, and Dhami, K (2011) Developing cultural competence in breast cancer services with LB women. Presentation to the 6th LGBT health summit, Cardiff City Hall. 1 September.

Fish, J (2011) Addressing LGBT health inequalities. Presentation to research seminar. University of Bradford. 10 November.

Panel member, National Cancer Equalities Initiative Conference, Hilton London Metropole. 22 March 2010

Fish, J Coming out about breast cancer: shaping the future through research. Joint Social Work Education and Research conference, University of Hertfordshire, 1-2 July.

Fish, J Coming out about breast cancer in lesbians and bisexual women. Paper presented to 4th LGBT health summit. Newcastle. Conference workshop supported by the RCN.

Fish, J Cancer inequality: What have sexual minority women’s experiences of breast cancer to do with it? BSA MedSoc conference Manchester. September 2009.

Beyond a single identity. Leicester University, June 2009. Member of conference organising steering group.

Developing work in social work and health inequalities
Online symposium, Health inequalities and the social work curriculum: Pacific Rim Perspectives. 9 November 2011.

Bywaters, P, Fish, J, Jones, D and Truell, R. Meeting with Professor Michael Marmot: Social work’s contribution to tackling health inequalities. 26 October.

Bywaters, P and Fish, J Meeting with Health Equity Team at UCL in relation to social work and health inequalities. 11 January.

Current research students

  • Completions:
  • Carlton Howson Telling it like it is: Black and ethnically minoritised students' experiences of HE
  • Hannah Begum  A study of South Asian male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (and engagement with support services)
  • Wendy Norton Gay men, fatherhood and surrogacy
  • Mike Ogunussi Deterritorialising Peace: Young People, Praxis, and the Sociology of Peace in Everyday Life

Externally funded research grants information

  • Fish, J. Williamson, I, Brown, J. Padley, W, Bell, K. (2018) More than a Diagnosis: Promoting good outcomes in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual cancer care: A qualitative study of patients’ experiences in clinical oncology. Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support. ISBN: 9781857214383 http://hdl.handle.net/2086/16125
  • 2014 Improving the cancer journey for LGBT people, Hope Against Cancer
  • 2013 ESRC Knowledge exchange programme.  Impact report.  8 May 2013.  RES-192-22-0111
  • 2012 The College of Social Work: led writing of curriculum guide for Physical Health, Dementia and End of Life Care..
  • 2011 ESRC Knowledge exchange programme: Developing professional knowledge about breast cancer in lesbian and bisexual women.
  • Reference: RES-192-22-0111
  • 2010 LGBT Carers seed corn funding from Birmingham university, collaboration with Birmingham and the University of Swansea
  • 2009 National Cancer Action Team: Coming out about breast cancer.
  • 2008 NHS Cervical Screening Programme: Cervical screening in lesbian and bisexual women: A review of the worldwide literature.
  • 2007 Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual women’s health. In collaboration with Stonewall. Funded by Lloyds/TSB Foundation.

Professional esteem indicators

  • Joint convenorship of Social Work and Health Inequalities Network (with Kate Karban) June 2010
  • JUC SWEC research committee member
  • Develop Social Work and Health Inequalities webpages for SCIE website
  • Contributing author to the Department of Health, Public Health Outcomes Framework LGBT companion document
  • Membership of ESRC peer review college
  • Contribution to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Suicide prevention strategy for LGBT people
  • Member of the Leicestershire Partnership Trust steering group for the introduction of a  LGBT IAPT service in Leicester
  • End of life care: the experiences and needs of LGB elders.  Led by Kathryn Almack, Nottingham University funded by Marie Curie Cancer Care
  • Podcast on social work and health inequalities.  Interview by Patricia Fronek, Griffith University, Australia
  • World Social Work Day at Westminster 19 March 2013
  • Development of international teaching resources for World Social Work Day

Case studies

Supporting LGBT People with Cancer: Practice guidance. 

Lesbian and bisexual women and breast cancer: policy briefing. London: Breast Cancer Care.

Commissioned by the NHS Screening programme to undertake a systematic review which led to a change in the screening guidelines for lesbian and bisexual women

Policy applications of my research

2013 Contributing author to the Department of Health, Public Health Outcomes Framework LGBT companion document

2012 Leicester City Council, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. March 2012

2011 Her Majesty's Government, Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality: Moving Forward. London: HMG

2010 Department of Health, Equality and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. Equality Impact Assessment. London: DH

2010 Memorandum submitted by Stonewall to UK Parliament

Media coverage

Moszynski, P (2010) Lesbians and bisexual women urged to take up cervical cancer screening, British Medical Journal, 2009; 340:b5667

Reviews of my work 

Reviews of Social work and LGBT people Bristol: The Policy Press

"The book ... provide(s) a framework, which underpins the knowledge, skills and values, from which to develop best practice to work with LGBT people ... is (a) high ambition.  That all of these aims are achieved is due, in no small measure, to the systematic and skilful crafting of the content of this work.  The text has a pattern without ever being formulaic."  John Hancox, New Zealand, Journal of Social Work, 2013 vol 13, no 6, 653-655

Julie Fish ... "provides detailed discussions of complex areas of social work practice and integrates a very extensive discussion of relevant research in each chapter.  The arguments about the need for a specific focus on substance misuse, for example, are compelling and avoid a reductive approach to the complex evidence from research."  Dharman Jeyasingham, UK, British Journal of Social Work, vol 42, issue 6, 1217-1219

"Julie Fish provides an accessible and appealing work to practitioners and students who want to deal with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) service users in an appropriate way.  If anyone, (still) hesitates to see the importance of the LGBT issue in social work, Fish's chain of reasoning is convincing, pragmatic and straightforward."  Andrea Nagy, University of Innsbruck, Austria, International Social Work, 2013, 56:105.

 

Reviews of colleague's work

Fish, J. (2013). The social work dissertation. Carey, M Book review, British Journal of Social Work 43 (8): 1667-1668

International conferences and collaborations

2019 The inaugural INQYR international symposium on LGBTQ youth research, 31 October, Faculty of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

2018 ‘Queerying activism through the lens of the sociology of everyday life’, Sexualities and Social Work Conference, University of Montreal, 10th August. https://sexualitysocialwork.wordpress.com/social-work-and-sexualities-conference-montreal-2018/

2017, 12-16 Oct Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Grant: ‘Queery’ing resilience: Leveraging information & communication technologies to negotiate gender and sexual minority youth identity and wellbeing within diverse global contexts, PI Dr Shelley Craig, Factor-Inwentash, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Grant writing workshop. $2 million CAN. Awarded.

2016 Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer women’s health conference; connections- creativity-care. Invited keynote. The Jaspar Hotel, Melbourne, Australia. Victorian Aids Council & ACON Health Sydney. 27th May.

Keynotes and conferences

Fish, J. (2019) (keynote) Social work and LGBT health inequalities, Social work in health and mental health international Conference, July 25 2019.

Fish, J. (2019) (keynote) Older LGBT+ health and healthcare inequalities, University of York, Research Collaborative event for Wellcome Foundation, 8 May 2019.

Fish, J. (2018) (keynote) Tackling older LGBT health and social care inequalities, Taking Pride in Ageing: Improving services for older LGBT people Conference. Chester Town Hall, Body Positive. 12 July 2018

Fish, J. Improving Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual patient experiences, Health Education England, Inclusive leadership conference, Leeds. 23 March 2017.

Fish, J. & Draper, D. Lesbian health inequalities, Public Health England Conference, Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGB&T) people and communities 2nd National Conference – 14 January 2016, The Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre, London.

Fish, J. Time is on the side of the outcast: Twenty years of LGBT research at DMU

Inaugural Lecture at De Montfort University, 11th November 2015.

[119 audience members]

julie-fish

LGBT-health-book

social work and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people making a difference

ESRC

coming out about breast cancer

Supporting LGBT with cancer