Dr Natalie Dowling

I have been working at CCCU since 2019. Having previously completed my BSc (hons) Applied Criminology and Social Science here before studying for my MA in Youth and Community Work (JNC accredited) at the University of East London. My PhD 'Detached Youth Work. A critical analysis of theory and practice' was completed at the University of Gloucestershire where I taught on Youth and Health and Social Care programmes.

My practice experience have included youth work for local authorities and 3rd sector organisations, where I have managed detached, centre based and school based work. I continue to work part time for my local authority within the youth council, in youth centres, and detached projects. Having previous experience working in students support services, substance misuse, homeless/housing support, and for a training provider.

Within Criminology I was employability lead providing advice and guidance in this area alongside running meet employers/career events.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and convene, teach, and mark across a range of modules at different levels and across the Childhood and Youth courses. I am BA (Level 6) lead for Childhood, Youth and Communities and Childhood, Youth and SEN top-ups, having previously been level 5 lead for the Foundation Degree in Childhood studies. I am module lead for the Introduction to Childhood, Youth and Academic Practice (L4), Working with Children, Youth and Families: Introduction to Community Practice (L4), Engaging and Building Communities (L6) and BA research supervisor.

I taught on the BSc Applied criminology, being module lead for Crime: Narratives and Explanations (L4) and Contemporary Issues in Criminology (L6) and previously lead the Criminology Foundation (L3) degree.

Research interests in Youth Work, in particular detached youth work, early intervention, risk taking behaviours and participation. Research projects: Erasmus+ RIDE (Resources for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality) project working with Italy, Slovakia, Turkey, and Croatia RIDE – Resources for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality - CESIE ETS ‘Surveying the Landscape’ research for the Federation for Detached Youth Work conference presentation 2016. 

Co Authored Publications: 

Urban,D., Grusova, C. and Bullock, S. (2017) RIDE Practice Resource. RIDE. Avaiable at: Microsoft Word - RIDE Practice Resources - rev_Steve,Cecilie.docx

Dowling, N., Dobbs, R., Car, K., Ayvalli, M., Kök, E.E., Brestovanský, M., Lenčo, P., Gubricová, J., Bizová, N., Liberčanov, K. and Šuhajdová, I., (2017) RIDE Good Practice Directory. RIDE. Available at: RIDE Good Practice Directory - Research Repository

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE) - July 2014Senior Fellow (SFHEA) Advance HE - May 2024

Guest lecturer Captiva Learning on the JNC accredited Youth Work Degree Apprenticeship, module convener level 4 Communication and Relationships and Level 5 Delivering Youth Work Programmes. - August 2023 - current

External Examiner Children, Young People and Families Practitioner(Community pathway) Level 4, De Montfort University (for Childcare company) - September 2025 - current

External Examiner (Practice) for the BA Youth and Community Work (JNC) programme Wrexham University - September 2025 - current

Justice of the Peace, December 2019 - November 2023

Executive Committee Member, Federation of Detached Youth Work, November 2013 –November 2016.