I began my career in social work in 1985, with my first five years spent in residential child care. I subsequently worked as a generic social worker and then as a children and families worker. I then moved to a voluntary sector family support organisation where I held several roles as practice teacher, project manager, and then director of operations. I completed my Ph.D. in 2018 and have worked as a lecturer here at Dundee since then.

I am the convenor for practice learning in social work. Additionally, I am a researcher on the SSSC funded longitudinal study of newly qualified social workers and on the study exploring the impact of COVID on newly qualified social workers.

I have led several modules. My main areas of teaching are in preparation for practice learning and in research methods. I have also led on change management and on the EAL (Enquiry Action Learning). Outwith social work, I teach a module on professional identity on our Professional Doctorate programme. 

I am supervisor for several PhD and professional doctorate students.

‘We need to talk about Bona’International Journal of Social Pedagogy

Kettle, M and Daly, M (2018) ‘Social Work Identity’ in Cree, V. Smith, M. (Eds.). (2018). Social Work in a Changing Scotland. London: Routledge.

Daly, M and Kettle, M (2017) ‘Making Professional Identity: Narrative Work and Fateful Moments’, in Webb, S. A. (ED.)  Professional Identity and Social Work, London: Routledge.

Clapton, G and Daly, M (2015), A Social Work ‘Academic-in-Residence’? Social Work Education: The International Journal Vol. 34: 4

Daly, M., Cooper, S (2013) ‘A solution-focused approach to family support’, Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning, 12(2), pp.87-101

Clapton, G and Daly, M (2007), 'Bridging the Theory - Practice Gap: Student Placement Groups Co-Facilitated by Lecturers and Practice Teachers', Groupwork, 17 (3): 60-75

Cavanagh, B Daly, M and Flaherty, A (2007), Voices of Women in Cornton Vale, Circle: Edinburgh

Daly, M (2005) ‘Partnership with families’ in Smith, M. ed. Secure in the knowledge: Perspectives on Practice in Secure Accommodation, SIRCC: Glasgow

Daly, M (2005) ‘Life story work’ in Smith, M. ed. Secure in the knowledgePerspectives on Practice in Secure Accommodation, SIRCC: Glasgow

Clapton, G., Daly, M. (2005), Leep over the learning gap, Community Care, pp.38-39

Book Reviews

Daly, M (2017) Jane Fenton ‘Values in Social Work: Reconnecting with Social Justice’, Ethics and Social Welfare, 11:1, 103-104