My current research focuses on transformative social work practice, addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCO's skills for the future, and associated emerging technologies. Among other topics, it encompasses climate resilience (SDG 13), quality education (SDG 4), and social justice (SDG 10) to reimagine social work education and practice for a rapidly changing world. Utilizing a transdisciplinary approach, it aims to bridge the critical gap between academic innovation and real-world impact, ensuring that social work practice evolves to meet the complex needs of diverse communities in an interconnected, climate-conscious era.

Research Grants:

May 2026 (awarded) -  Análise de políticas de equidade e segurança alimentar em populações tradicionais no âmbito do BRICS (Analysis of equity and food security policies in traditional populations within the BRICS framework). Program BRICS-NU (BRICS Network University) – CAPES/MEC, Brazil. Coordinated by Prof. Marcos Pereira (ISC/UFBA). Leading institutions: Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) and Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Brazil. International partners: UAEU-CHSS, Department of Social Wellbeing (UAE) Implementation start: January 2027 Grant code: CAPESBRICS254463717P.

May 2026 - (submitted-under review) - SDG Research Grant. "Living with uncertainty: Women, household water insecurity, and climate resilience in Al Ain." UAEU, SDG Research Program – Resilient Communities and Sustainable Water Futures. 

August 2025 - December 2028 (awarded) External Funding for Immersive Learning Technology. "BodySwaps: AI-driven Virtual Reality Training Platform for Social Work Education". Funding jointly secured with Prof. Ansie Fouché.

May 2025 - May 2026 (awarded) - Sure+ Research Grant. "Climate change curriculum integration in social work education: a survey-based study among undergraduate students." UAEU, SURE PLUS Research Program. Grant code G00005233. 

September 2024 - September 2025 - External Immersive Learning Grant through Bodyswaps' AI-powered Skill-Up simulations (UK).

May 2024 - May 2025 (completed) - Sure+ Research Grant. "In their voices: UAEU female students' perceptions of UAE role in the achievement of the UN's Agenda 2030 in developing countries." UAEU, SURE PLUS Research Program. Grant code G00004799.

April 2024 (not awarded) - UAEU Strategic Grant Application in collaboration with The University of Edinburgh: "The contribution of UAE humanitarian aid to the achievement of SDG4 milestones on Zaatari camp: a descriptive-exploratory qualitative study."

Active secondary research:

Social work interventions for water insecurity: A scoping review of evidence, practice models, and implementation strategies.

• Leading Investigator
• Methodology: Scoping review
• Open Science Framework (OSF) registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/GKSFZ 

A systematic mapping study on social work and climate change.

• Principal Investigator
• Methodology: Systematic mapping

Scoping review: alcohol and substance dependence in UAE 

• Leading: Professor Ansie Fouche
• Role: Co-Investigator

Training & Industry Collaboration

May 2024 - April 2025: Project leader for the Social Wellbeing Department's partnership with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) in designing and delivering social work content for a multi-stakeholder Social Work Upskilling Pilot Program for social work graduates across the UAE in collaboration with the UAEU Continuing Education Center.