Resources
Things I've written, researched, read and recommend.
Publications and Writing
My writing explores the experiences of children and families affected by war, displacement and humanitarian crises, with a particular interest in play, embodiment, identity and creative approaches to social work.
I’m interested in how we can support children and families not only to cope with difficult experiences, but also to find connection, agency, joy and a sense of possibility.
Research & academic publications
Exploring play-based interventions with war-affected children: A scoping review
Moody-Pugh, J., Renshaw, K., & Parson, J. (2025). The Arts in Psychotherapy, 95, 102337.
A review of the existing research on play-based interventions with children affected by war, exploring what we know about the role of play in supporting children’s wellbeing and recovery.
Play, identity & humanitarian work
Could a Clown Be a Social Worker? Play and Identity in Humanitarian Work
Moody-Pugh, J. (2026). In Stories from the Field: Autoethnographic Reflections on Humanitarianism and Resilience.
In process for publication.
A personal reflection on play, identity and the experience of working within humanitarian contexts — and what happens when we allow ourselves to bring creativity and playfulness into this work.
Creative approaches to social work education
The Carousel Game: Playful risk and regulation in the classroom to equip students to work with initial response
Dunk-West, P., & Moody-Pugh, J. (2025). In Teaching Activities for Social Work: Creative Pedagogies to Engage Students.
An exploration of how playful approaches can help social work students develop confidence, tolerate uncertainty and prepare for working with people in the early stages of crisis and response.
Yoga, embodiment & refugee children
A Feeling of Wholeness: Yoga with Refugee Children Living with Disabilities
Moody, J. (2020). In J. Turner (Ed.), Embodied Healing: Survivor and Facilitator Voices from the Practice of Trauma-Sensitive Yoga.
A reflection on using yoga and embodied approaches with refugee children living with disabilities, and on the possibilities of supporting children through movement, connection and embodied practice.
Social work, conflict & resistance
The Role of Neoliberalism in Silencing Social Work in a Genocide: Silence and Resistance
Moody-Pugh, J., & Dodemaide, P. (2025). Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 37(3), 109–117.
An exploration of social work, power, silence and resistance in the context of genocide.
Time to Face Up to a Global Crisis
Moody, J. (2015). Professional Social Work, British Association of Social Workers.
An early reflection on the responsibilities of social work in responding to global crises.
Coming soon…
Books I Recommend
Books can give children a language for experiences that can otherwise be difficult to talk about.
I’m building a collection of books that I recommend for children, parents, carers and practitioners.
These include books about:
separation and anxiety
feelings and emotional regulation
body boundaries and consent
identity and belonging
grief and loss
refugees and displacement
war and conflict
difference and diversity
safety and relationships
friendship and connection
I’ll continue to add to this collection over time. If there’s anything you’d like to see covered, please get in touch.
Resources for Practitioners
I’ll also be adding resources for practitioners working with children, families and communities affected by trauma, displacement, war and conflict.
These may include resources relating to:
trauma-informed practice
working with refugee and displaced children and families
play-based and creative approaches
working across cultures
humanitarian practice
embodiment and regulation
reflective practice
social work in contexts of war and conflict
A Growing Collection
This page will continue to grow as I find resources that I think are useful, thoughtful and worth sharing.
If there’s something you’re looking for, or a resource you think should be included, please feel free to get in touch.