Jez Buffin

Jez Buffin is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) within the School of Social Work, Care & Community. He possesses extensive experience in various fields including substance misuse, mental health, homelessness, and community development.2

Academic and Professional Background

Buffin has a strong academic background and is actively involved in research and community engagement initiatives. His work emphasizes participatory research methods, where community members are engaged as co-researchers, contributing to projects that aim to improve social inclusion and community well-being.1

Research Interests

His research interests include:

• Community capital: Exploring how community connections can be enhanced to reduce isolation and improve well-being.
• Social policy: Investigating the impacts of social isolation on health and community dynamics.1

Contributions

Buffin has been involved in various projects aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he worked with community groups to deliver essential services.35 His contributions extend to publishing research findings that address pressing social issues, such as the effects of khat use within communities in the UK.46

In summary, Jez Buffin is a dedicated academic and practitioner whose work focuses on enhancing community engagement and addressing social challenges through collaborative research and practical initiatives.