Our members and coordinators
Meet us
This page features short biographies and links for APSW members and our co-chairs.
Christine Cocker
Co-Chair and Treasurer
Christine Cocker is a Professor in Social Work and Head of the School of Social Work at UEA, She joined the Department in September 2013. Prior to this she worked at Middlesex University for 10 years.
Christine is a registered social worker (she completed her social work training in New Zealand in the 1980's) and has over 40 years experience as a social worker and manager in child and family social work in Local Authorities and voluntary sector organisations in the UK.
Christine maintains strong links in practice as she is currently an independent author of Safeguarding Adult Reviews about care-experienced young people, and chair of a local authority's Children's Academy.
Christine researches and writes about Transitional Safeguarding, social work and sexuality, and social work with care-experienced children and young people.
Lucille Allain
Co-Chair and Secretary
Lucille Allain is Professor of Social Work and Head of School for Mental Health and Social Work at Middlesex University, London. She previously served as Associate Dean for Social Work at the University of East London and as Director of Social Work Programmes at Middlesex.
Lucille is a registered social worker and Co-Chair of the Association of Professors of Social Work. She brings extensive professional experience in child and family social work within local authorities and continues to maintain strong links with frontline practice as an independent member of a local authority fostering panel.
Her research focuses on child and family social work practice, with particular interests in improving outcomes for children and families, and she has significant expertise in developing, leading, and evaluating innovative teaching and learning models.
Sarah Vicary
Board Member
As an experienced practitioner and academic Sarah’s interest in social work with adults, especially in mental health, is long standing.
Qualifying in 1987 and still registered as a social worker (SW81040), Sarah’s practice roles have included frontline work such as an Approved Social Worker under the Mental Health Act, 1983, the development, creation and management of an innovative multi-disciplinary mental health crisis service and service manager for inner city emergency mental health services.
Sarah worked for ten years as an Area Commissioner for the Government appointed body that oversees the operation of the Mental Health Act, the Mental Health Act Commission.
Moving into academic posts in early 2000, Sarah was Associate Head of School until 2022 holding strategic and operational responsibility for academics based in all nations of the United Kingdom in health and social care, social work, nursing and other professional programmes.
She is now Professor of Social Work and Mental Health.
Anne-Marie Glover
Board Member
Anne‑Marie is the University Co‑lead and Cohort Director for the Strengths‑Based Leadership programme, delivered in partnership with the Social Care Institute for Excellence. She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and supports and mentors colleagues, including those undertaking Advance HE’s Aurora women’s leadership development initiative and Fellowship of the HEA.
Anne‑Marie has held several leadership roles, including College Deputy Director of Education, School Head of Quality, Academic Director for the Step Up to Social Work postgraduate social work programme, and Interim Head of Department. She teaches on a range of qualifying social work programmes and works with students undertaking the Senior Leaders Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship Programme.
Prior to joining the University of Birmingham, Anne‑Marie was a Lecturer at the University of Salford, Manchester, and Programme Leader for the PQ Professional Studies Childcare Award. Before this, she was a Local Authority Staff Development and Training Manager, following several years in statutory social work practice. Anne‑Marie is also a member of the University Senate.