Susan Levy is Associate Dean Student Recruitment and Global Partnerships, and Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law.  She is a graduate of the London School of Contemporary Dance, and completed her MA (Hons), PhD and Post-Doctoral research in Geography at the University of St Andrews. She held academic posts at the University of St Andrews, University of Edinburgh, and the Open University before moving into Social Work at the University of Dundee.   Her interdisciplinary background is applied to her research and teaching. 

Susan is a qualitative researcher, experienced in using participatory and creative methods to explore a sense of belonging, place, and inclusion. Her research focuses on international social work and cultural diversity; disability; and the use of the arts for social change and communicating lived experiences.  Her research spans the local and global, working on funded projects with partners in Africa, Americas, Australia, Europe, and locally in Scotland and the UK. Funders have included the British Academy, ESRC, European Union, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Scottish and UK Governments.  She is currently Co-I on the ESRC funded IncludeAge project (2022-26). The 4 year project is exploring the experiences of middle to older aged people with learning disabilities and LGBT+ of inclusion and belonging in physical, social, and online spaces in the UK. 

During her time at the University of Dundee, Susan has been Director of Professional Doctorates, and School lead for Athena SWAN/Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. She led a successful Departmental Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of good practices in advancing gender equality.  At national level, she has contributed to the Higher Education Athena SWAN Governance Committee. 

Susan is an Academic Advisor/Reviewer for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the European Science Foundation, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.