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Soosan Philip

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Senior Lecturer

Soosan Philip is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), with extensive experience across practice, teaching, research, and community engagement. She is a Professional Doctorate researcher and a qualified Practice Educator, with a strong commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable social work practice.
Soosan brings over a decade of international and UK-based social work experience, alongside more than seven years in higher education. Her work bridges academia, practice, and community development, with a particular focus on supporting marginalised and migrant communities.

Email: [email protected] 

Faculty:
Faculty of Health, Education and Social Care
School:
Allied Health and Social Care
Location:
Peterborough
Background

Soosan has a diverse professional background spanning statutory and community-based social work in both India and the UK. She previously served as a Principal Social Worker in adult social services in West Northamptonshire, where she contributed to leadership and practice development.

She holds a master’s degree in social work from India and has extensive international practice experience, enriching her teaching and research with global perspectives.

In addition to her academic role, Soosan is actively engaged in civic and community leadership. She is an elected Councillor for West Hunsbury Parish (West Northamptonshire). She also works closely with local communities, particularly ethnic minority migrant groups requiring care and support.

She is the Founder and Director of Bridge & Belong Communities CIC, an organisation focused on inclusion, belonging, and empowerment of ethnic minority communities. She also serves as Research and Development Lead for Jeevan Trust, contributing to community-based research and interventions.

Research interests
  • Migration, integration, and transnational social work
  • Equality, diversity, and inclusion
  • Intersectionality in social work practice
  • Domestic abuse and safeguarding
  • Transition and support for overseas-qualified social workers
  • Early help and prevention (children and adults)
  • Community development and participatory approaches
  • Service user involvement and co-production
Teaching

Soosan is an experienced higher education educator and currently leads and contributes to teaching across social work programmes at ARU Peterborough.

Current modules include:

  • Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice (Module Lead)
  • Principles of Social Work (Module Lead)

She is also the Lead for the Service User Participation and Advisory Group Project, embedding lived experience into teaching, curriculum development, and student learning.

Qualifications
  • Professional Doctorate Researcher (In Health and Social Care)
  • Master of Social Work
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Qualified Practice Educator
  • PG Cert in Everyday Psychology: University of Oxford
Memberships, editorial boards
  • Social Work England (Registered Social Worker)
  • British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
  • Member, University of Oxford Alumni Network
  • Social Policy Association (SPA)
  • The National Organisation for Practice Teaching (England)