Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
My research focuses on child exploitation, child trafficking, modern slavery, and international child protection, addressing cross-cutting social issues that span child protection, criminal justice, social policy, migration, immigration, and human rights. I examine how children and young people experience contemporary childhood and adolescence in diverse social, cultural, and political contexts, with a particular focus on protection, resilience, and participation. My work critically analyses policy and practice responses to the social issues affecting children, exploring how systems can better uphold children's rights and wellbeing.
My research uses qualitative, child-centred, and participatory approaches to foreground children’s voices and lived experiences. I focus on child protection, children’s rights, and the experiences of children affected by exploitation, trafficking, migration, and structural inequalities. My work also explores international child protection systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, examining how local, national, and global responses can strengthen child wellbeing and protection. Across my research, I am committed to promoting meaningful participation by children and young people in research, policy, and practice, generating evidence that supports child-centred and rights-based approaches.
Willing to supervise doctoral students
A wide range of projects that explore child abuse, child protection and child welfare. Topics may include child abuse and trauma, exploitation, trafficking, migration and modern slavery.
External positions
External Examiner, University of Wales
11 Jul 2018 → 30 Sept 2022
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Dive into the research topics where Alinka Gearon is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Projects
- 1 Active
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Community engagement in co-developing research on child exploitation prevention
Gearon, A. (PI)
7/06/24 → …
Project: Research-related funding
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Introduction
El-Hoss, T., Gearon, A. & Brown, L., 17 Jan 2025, The Development of Child Protection Systems and Practice in Low- to Middle-Income Countries. Brown, L., El-Hoss, T. & Gearon, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Bristol, U. K.: Policy Press, p. 1-18 18 p.Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
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Lessons from low- to middle-income countries on the development of child protection systems
Brown, L., El-Hoss, T. & Gearon, A., 17 Jan 2025, The Development of Child Protection Systems and Practice in Low- to Middle-Income Countries. Brown, L., El-Hoss, T. & Gearon, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Bristol, U. K.: Policy Press, p. 241-255 15 p.Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (SciVal) -
The Development of Child Protection Systems and Practice in Low - to Middle-Income Countries
Brown, L., El-Hoss, T. & Gearon, A., 17 Jan 2025, 1 ed. Bristol, U. K.: Policy Press. 282 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Child trafficking and exploitation: Social work practice and children’s rights
Gearon, A., 30 Sept 2024, The Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research: Knowledge-Building, Application, and Impact. Fernandez, E., Welbourne, P., Lee, B. & Ma, J. L. C. (eds.). 1st ed. Abingdon, U. K.: Routledge, p. 752-767 16 p.Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
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Exploring the Experiences of Young People Trafficked into and within England
Gearon, A., 22 Jul 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
Thesis
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'Child trafficking': Experiences of separated children on the move
Gearon, A. (Author), Brown, S. (Supervisor) & Butler, I. (Supervisor), 19 Jun 2016Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › PhD
File
Activities
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Practice Enquiry: Regional organisations
Gearon, A. (Organiser)
28 Aug 2024Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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JUSWA (External organisation)
Gearon, A. (No value)
1 Oct 2024 → …Activity: Other contribution to the discipline › Role on a committee, board or panel
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Collaborative research proposal
Gearon, A. (No value)
11 Nov 2024 → 14 Apr 2025Activity: Knowledge Exchange (Industry, Government, NGOs) › Collaboration
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Practice Enquiry: Parents
Gearon, A. (Organiser)
19 Jul 2024Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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Serious Violence - multi-agency learning on serious youth violence.
Gearon, A. (Speaker)
23 Jan 2024Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop