Overview
My PhD is a piece of applied philosophy. It explores the use of John Rawlsâ difference principle as a test for social justice in contemporary social policy. I am using the Housing (Wales) Bill as a case study to test whether the policy does indeed deliver on commitments to social justice. I hope to show an insight into the use of Rawlsâ principle as a tangible policy test, and also comment on the Welsh Governmentâs commitment to social justice.
My general academic interests lie in using philosophical theories to explore questions of justice in contemporary society, with an emphasis on engaging with stakeholders. I currently work for newsdirect wales, a political monitoring company, and have a particular interest in the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill and the impact of welfare reform. In previous work I have looked at the impact of welfare reform on effective agency, including conducting research in frontline homelessness organisations.
Research
Research interests
Research
I have presented wide range of my research in a number of formats and have taken part in, and organised, a variety of events.
Conference papers
Academia's Duty to the Third Sector â presented at the Degrees of Impact Conference at Nottingham University in September 2012
Housing (Wales) Bill: Delivering Social Justice? - presented at Shelter Cymru's From Evidence to Action Conference in November 2013
Do Consultations Matter? The Case of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill â co-written and presented with Dr Axel Kaehne at the Political Studies Association Conference 2014
Events
Wales: Doing Things Differently? - University Graduate College funded conference with keynote speech from Leanne Wood AM, leader of Plaid Cymru, conference organiser
Transitions Conference â University Graduate College funded interdisciplinary postgraduate seminar event, conference organiser
Changing Union Conference 2012 â workshop on the devolution of welfare in Wales, workshop organiser and presenter
Published papers
The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill â working paper with Dr Axel Kaehne published through GORWEL
The Housing (Wales) Bill: Making a difference? - published in Welsh Housing Quarterly January 2014
Wales' First Housing Legislation: A Game of Two Halves â published on the IWA Click On Wales blog November 2013
Welsh Government's legislation needs more focus â published on the IWA Click On Wales blog March 2013
The Face of Homelessness - annual report for Doorway Wiltshire Ltd. on profiles of service users, June 2011
Needs, Impact, and the Future Report â annual report for Doorway Wiltshire Ltd. on the initial impact of the welfare reform, September 2012
The Real Impact of Welfare Reform â annual report for Doorway Wiltshire Ltd. on the impact of welfare reform, January 2013
The Cost of Social Justice? Just 5p! - article on the Bevan Foundation blog, October 2012
Capability, Winning and Work â article on the Bevan Foundation blog, September 2012
Publications
2020
- Nason, S., Sherlock, A., Pritchard, H. and Taylor, H. 2020. Public administration and a just Wales. Project Report. Nuffield Foundation.
2017
- Taylor, H. 2017. Rawls' Difference Principle: a test for social justice in contemporary social policy. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.