Professor Tom Grimwood, PhD

I came to the University of Cumbria in 2012 as a senior lecturer, when I took over the running of the MA Social Work programme and taught on a number of courses around theory, culture, social philosophy and research methods. Prior to this, I taught at Lancaster University and the Open University across a range of subjects in philosophy, religion, the arts and social sciences.

Since 2016 I have been the co-lead of Health and Society Knowledge Exchange (HASKE), which delivers intellectually robust, practice-relevant commissioned research for a range of organisations and agencies. I am also the theme lead for Applied Social Science Research in the Centre for Research in Health and Society (CRiHS). 

PhD, Philosophy and Cultural Theory

My research interests are rooted in philosophy and critical theory, but cross a number of disciplinary areas including rhetoric, literary theory, aesthetics and religious studies.

My work in HASKE has led me to explore how changes and transformations in health and social care require careful conceptual analysis, and some of the opening steps of these explorations can be read in my book Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy. I am keen to examine what kind of dialogue can be achieved between current social, material and rhetorical practices in the health and social care domain, and the resources that philosophy provides.

My main research interests are:

- Philosophical and political issues in social work, social care and health

- Cultural and Philosophical Hermeneutics

- Critical and Post-Critical Theory

- Rhetoric, Contemporary Applications of Rhetoric, particularly in Visual and Gaming Culture

- Social and Applied Ethics

- Philosophy of Research Methodologies, particularly Evaluation

- Gender and Feminist Philosophy

I am keen to supervise projects on areas in and around my research interests, as well as:

- Social and continental philosophy

- Contemporary challenges to health and social welfare delivery (e.g. integrated care, new models of delivery)

- Irony, cliche, silence and other forms of ambiguity

Books

Grimwood, T. (2023). Against Critical Thinking in Health, Social Care and Social Work: Reframing Philosophy for Professional Practice. London: Routledge

Grimwood, T. (2023). The Problem with Stupid: Ignorance, Intellectuals, Post-Truth and Resistance. Winchester: Zer0 Books

Grimwood, T. (2021). The Shock of the Same: An Anti-Philosophy of Cliches. London: Rowman and Littlefield International

Grimwood, T. (2016). Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy. London: Routledge

Grimwood, T. (2012). Irony, Misogyny and Interpretation. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: CSP

Articles and Book Chapters

Lang, M. and Grimwood T. (2023). ‘Socially Engaged Art, Post-Truth and the Monumentalising of Democracy.’ Journal of Cultural Management and Cultural Policy. 9:1, pp.59-76. https://doi.org/10.14361/zkmm-2023-0103

Grimwood, T. (2023). ‘Post-critical Social Work?’ Social Work and Society. 21:1. https://ejournals.bib.uni-wuppertal.de/index.php/sws/article/view/839/1408

Grimwood, T. and Love, S. (2023). ‘Philosophy Applied to Social Welfare: The Philosophy of, for, with, and against Social Welfare.’ In Wollman, N. and Love, C. (eds.) Reinventing Society with Philosophy, Religion and Science. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne: CSP, pp.72-91.

Grimwood, T. (2022). ‘Spoilers, Triggers and the Hermeneutics of Ignorance.’ Journal of Applied Hermeneutics. https://doi.org/10.11575/jah.v2022i2022.76169 

Grimwood, T. (2022). ‘The Poetics of Rumour and the Age of Post-Truth.’ Janus Head, 20:1. http://janushead.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Grimwood-Final-2022-07-06.pdf 

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2022). ‘The recruitment, retention and development of an integrated urgent care telephone triage workforce: a small-scale study.’ Journal of Integrated Care, 30.1, pp. 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-06-2020-0033

Grimwood, T. (2021). ‘On Covidiots and Covexperts: Stupidity and the Politics of Health.’ Journal of Applied Hermeneutics. https://doi.org/10.11575/jah.v2021i2021.72538

Grimwood, T. (2021). ‘The Politics of Irony, Reconsidered.’ Journal for Cultural Research. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14797585.2021.1922803.

Grimwood, T. (2021). ‘The Rhetoric of Demonic Repetition: The Two Deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Other Stories.’ Janus Head 19:1, 77-90. http://janushead.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Grimwood-Final.pdf

Snell, L., Goodwin, V. and Grimwood, T. (2021). ‘About Being: An interdisciplinary and collaborative arts and health project supporting the ongoing recovery of stroke survivors.’ Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 12.2

Grimwood, T. and Snell, L. (2021). ‘The recruitment, retention and development of an Integrated Urgent Care telephone triage workforce: a small-scale study.’ Journal of Integrated Care. https://doi.org/0.1108/JICA-06-2020-0033

Grimwood, T. (2020). ‘The Rhetoric of Urgency and Theory-Practice Tensions.’ European Journal of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2020.1843408

Grimwood, T. and Snell, L. (2020). ‘The Use of Technology in Healthcare Education: a Literature Review.’ MedEdPublish 9:1, on-line. https://doi.org/10.15694/mep.2020.000137.1

Grimwood, T. (2020). ‘Cliché.’ In Frow, J. (ed.), Oxford Encyclopaedia of Literary Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.013.1052

Grimwood, T. (2019). ‘Autonomy and Dependence.’ In Payne, M. and Reith-Hall, E. (eds). The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Theory. London: Routledge, pp.95-108

Grimwood, T. (2019). ‘Realism and Rhetoric in the Evaluation of a New Care Model.’ Journal of Integrated Care 27:3, pp.204-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-11-2018-0067

Overend, L., Simpson, E. and Grimwood, T. (2019). ‘Qualitative analysis of patient responses to the ABCD FreeStyle Libre audit questionnaire.’ Practical Diabetes 36:2, pp.45-50

Grimwood, T. (2018). ‘Procedural Monsters: Rhetoric, Commonplace and ‘Heroic Madness’ in Video Games.’ Journal for Cultural Research, 22:3, pp.310-324

Grimwood, T. (2017). ‘The Meaning of Clichés.’ diacritics 44.4, pp.90-113

Grimwood, T. (2017). ‘Foetal Space in Real Time: On Ultrasound, Phenomenology and Cultural Rhetoric.’ META: Journal of Hermeneutics, Phenomenology and Practical Philosophy, 9.1, pp.86-104

Grimwood, T. and Miller P. (2015). ‘Mountains, Cones and Dilemmas of Context: The Case of ‘Ordinary Language’ in Philosophy and Social Scientific Method’ Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 45:3, pp.331-355

Grimwood, T. and Miller, P. (2014). ‘How to Do Things Without Words.’ In Brian Garvey (ed.) Austin and Language Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp.117-133

Grimwood, T. (2014). 'Kierkegaard's Printing Errors: On a Curious Passage from Stages on Life's Way.' (2013) Rivista di Filosofia Neo-Scolastica 3.4, pp. 913-927

Grimwood, T. and Yeandle, P. (2013). 'The Church On Stage: Stewart Headlam's Rhetorical Theology.' With Peter Yeandle (2013) In Claire Chambers, Simon du Toit and Josh Edelman (eds.), Performing Religion in Public Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp. 97-116

Edelman, J., Grimwood, T., Messier, K. and Yeandle, P. (2013). ‘Visceral Publics: Roundtable Discussion’ In Claire Chambers, Simon du Toit and Josh Edelman (eds.), Performing Religion in Public Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp. 153-162

Grimwood, T. and Lang, M. (2012) 'Militant Training Camp and the Aesthetics of Civil Disobedience.' Krisis: Journal of Contemporary Philosophy, 3, pp.37-51

Grimwood, T. (2012). ‘The Concept of Reading: Kierkegaard, Irony and Duality (A Response to Mark Favis).’ The European Legacy 17.4, pp.471-483

Grimwood, T. (2012). ‘Philosophy in the Dark: The Hobbit and Hermeneutics.’ In Gregory Bassham and Eric Bronson (eds.), The Hobbit and Philosophy Oxford: Blackwell Publishing

Grimwood, T. (2011). ‘Gender.’ In Ann Sophie Krossa (ed.), Europe in a Global Context Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp.116-127

Grimwood, T. (2011). ‘Nietzsche and the Death of God.’ In Michael Bruce and Steven Barbone (eds.), Just the Arguments: 100 of the Most Important Arguments in Western Philosophy Oxford: Wiley Blackwell

Grimwood, T. (2010). ‘Hesitation and Irony in Nietzsche’s “Woman and Child”.’ Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities 15.3, pp.115-128

Grimwood, T. and Miller, P. (2010). ‘The Boy Done Good: Football Clichés and the Philosophy of Language.’ In Ted Richards (ed.), Football and Philosophy New York: Open Court, pp. 379-388

Grimwood, T. (2009). Entries for ‘Simone de Beauvoir’, ‘Hans-Georg Gadamer’ and ‘Friedrich Nietzsche.’ In John Mullarkey and Beth Lord (eds.), The Continuum Companion to Continental Philosophy London: Continuum, pp.286-7, 297-8, 316-7

Grimwood, T. (2009). ‘Irony, Authority, and Interpretation.’ (2009) Skepsi 2.2, pp. 86-97

Grimwood, T. (2008). ‘The Problems of Irony: Philosophical Reflections on Method, Discourse and Interpretation.’ Journal of Cultural Research 12.4, pp. 363-377

Grimwood, T. (2008). ‘Re-reading The Second Sex’s “Simone de Beauvoir”.’ The British Journal for the History of Philosophy 16.1, pp. 197-21

Grimwood, T. (2008). ‘The Limits of Misogyny: Schopenhauer, “On Women”.’ Kritike: Journal of Philosophy 2.2, pp. 131-145

Grimwood, T. (2007). ‘Lost in Codes: Interpretation and Deconstruction in Lost’s Narrative.’ In Sharon Kaye (ed.), Lost and Philosophy Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, pp.111-121

Grimwood, T. (2004). ‘The Body as a Lived Metaphor: Interpreting Catherine of Siena as an Ethical Agent.’ Feminist Theology 13.1, pp. 62-76

Selected Commissioned Research Reports

Grimwood, T., Snell, L., Hitchen, S., Cotterill, N., Lake, K. and Ray, S. (2023). Review of Midwifery Training and Newly Qualified Experience: Thematic Analysis. Commissioned by Health Education England.

Coterill, N., Grimwood, T. and Snell, L. (2023). An Evaluation of Every Life Matters’ Suicide Prevention Training. Funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2023). An Evaluation of the Clear Your Head Kick About sessions in Copeland. Commissioned by the North Cumbria Social Prescribing/ Personalised Care Steering Group.

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2023). An Evaluation of the Wellbeing Walking Group in Workington. Commissioned by the North Cumbria Social Prescribing/Personalised Care Steering Group.

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2023). An Evaluation of Time to Share Bereavement Services. Commissioned by Time to Share Bereavement Services.

Grimwood, T., Snell, L. and Ward, M. (2023). Intersectionality: A Literature Review. Commissioned by the MS Society.

Ward, M., Grimwood, T. and Snell, L. (2023). Evaluation of the Third Sector Referral Coordinator Team: Nurturing Connectivity between the Third Sector and Health Sector. Commissioned by the Cumbria Council for Voluntary Services.

Grimwood, T., Ward, M. and Snell, L. (2022). West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership Evaluation: Stage One Survey Report. Commissioned by West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership.

Grimwood, T., Ward, M. and Snell, L. (2022). The Enhance Programme: An Evaluation of Regional Approaches to Enhancing Generalist Skills in Healthcare. Commissioned by Health Education England. 

Grimwood, T., Pell, L. and Goodwin, V. (2022). How are How are English youth work services evaluating impact? A Literature Review. Commissioned by the National Youth Agency.

Kaehne, A., Robinson, C., Stuart, K., Grimwood, T., Simcock, T. and Roberts, L. (2022). Blackpool Opportunity Area Evaluation: Strand 2 Final Report. Commissioned by Blackpool City Council/Department of Education

Grimwood, T., Snell, L. and Goodwin, V. (2021). Every Life Matters: An Evaluation Framework. Commissioned by Every Life Matters.

Snell, L., Grimwood, T. and Goodwin, V. (2021). Keeping Patients Connected: an Evaluation of the Third Sector and Public Sector Partnership. Commissioned by Cumbria Council of Voluntary Services

Grimwood, T., Goodwin V. and Snell, L. (2021). Getting Cumbria to Work: An Evaluation. Commissioned by Cumbria Council of Voluntary Services/Big Lottery Fund

Snell, L., Goodwin, V. and Grimwood, T. (2021). The Support Needs of People Who Experience Domestic Abuse. Commissioned by Cumbria County Council.

Snell, L., Grimwood, T. and Goodwin, V. (2021). The Current Higher Education Outreach Needs of Students in Years 12 & 13. 18pp. Commissioned by Hello Future.

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2020). Delivering safer services within the Zero Suicide Ambition programme: an Evaluation. Commissioned by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.

Grimwood, T., Goodwin, V. and Snell, L. (2020). Hard-to-reach Parents and Asset-based Outreach. Commissioned by Hello Future.

Grimwood, T., Grabrovaz, M., and Goodwin, V. (2020). The Role of Voluntary and Community Organisations in Enhancing Asset-based Outreach. Commissioned by Hello Future.

Snell, L., Grimwood, T., and Goodwin, V. (2020). The Development of the Allied Health Support Workforce. Commissioned by Health Education England.

Grimwood, T., Grabrovaz, M., and Goodwin, V. (2020). An asset-based approach to Widening Participation for young people in Cumbria. Commissioned by Hello Future.

Grabrovaz, M., Goodwin, V., and Grimwood, T. (2020). The Landscape of Social Care/Social Health Spaces and Stakeholders in the NIHR CRN NWC geography: A Scoping Review. Commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research.

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2020). Current knowledge and learning on the use of technology in healthcare education: a Literature Review. Commissioned by North West Ambulance Service.

Snell, L., Goodwin, V. and Grimwood, T. (2019). About Being: Project Evaluation. Commissioned by the University of Cumbria.

Grabrovaz, M., Goodwin, V., Simpson, G. and Grimwood, T. (2019). Vague Symptoms Project Evaluation. Commissioned by the Northern Cancer Alliance.

Grabrovaz, M., Goodwin, V. and Grimwood, T. (2019). Understanding the Rural and Coastal Contexts of Widening Participation. Commissioned by the Cumbria Collaborative Outreach Project.

Choudhary, C., Goodwin, V. and Grimwood, T. (2019). Early Diagnosis Transformation Programme Evaluation. Commissioned by the Northern Cancer Alliance.

Tom Grimwood and Laura Snell. An Evaluation of the Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) Role. Commissioned by Health Education England.

Snell, L., Robinson, A. and Grimwood, T. (2019). Accelerated Postgraduate Nursing Pilot Programme: an Evaluation. Commissioned by Health Education England.

Snell, L. and Grimwood, T. (2018). Maternity Safety Training Fund: An Impact Evaluation. Commissioned by Health Education England and NHS England.

Grimwood, T., Bell, L., Skyrme, S., and Weinberger-Maden, U. (2018). Local Evaluation of Morecambe Bay PACS Vanguard: Final Report. Commissioned by NHS England via Bay Health and Care Partners.

Grabrovaz, M. and Grimwood, T. (2018). An Evaluation of the Effect of Bursary and Other Types of Financial Support on Student Outcomes at the University of Cumbria. Commissioned by the Office for Students via the University of Cumbria.

Snell, L. and Grimwood T. (2018). An Evaluation of the Recruitment, Retention and Development of the Integrated Urgent Care Workforce. Commissioned by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Robinson, C. and Grimwood, T. (2018). Improving Access to Nursing Degree Apprenticeships: an Evaluation of Stakeholder Collaborations. Commissioned by HEFCE.

Robinson, C. and Grimwood, T. (2018). Addressing the Pressures in Emergency Care: An Evaluation of the HENW Innovation Fund Education Programmes. Commissioned by Health Education North-West.

Grimwood, T., Skyrme, S., Bell, L., Robinson, C., Hearne, P. and Palazsczuk, A. (2017). Better Care Together: Local Evaluation of Morecambe Bay PACS Vanguard 12 Month Report. Commissioned by Bay Health and Care Partners through NHS England.

Bell, L., and Grimwood, T. (2017). A Review of the Population-Centric Workforce Planning Development Programme. Commissioned by Health Education England (North-West).

Grimwood, T. and Skyrme, S. (2017). The Medical Assistant in General Practice: A Role Evaluation. Commissioned by Health Education England (North-West).

Grimwood, T. and Palazsczuk, A. (2017). Enhanced Learning Environments at the University of Cumbria. Commissioned by Health Education North-West Forerunner Fund.

Kashefi, E., Mellingwood, C., Grimwood, T. and Pierce, N. (2017). Widening Participation at the University of Cumbria: An Evaluation. Commissioned by the University of Cumbria through OFFA funding.

Grimwood, T. and Palazsczuk, A. (2017). Foundation Level Leadership Development Programme Evaluation. Commissioned by Cumbria Partnership Foundation Trust.

Grimwood, T., Pierce, N. and Dickie, I. (2016). A Content Analysis of Views on Health Services around Cumbria. Commissioned by Healthwatch Cumbria.

Grimwood, T., Hayes, T., Browning, R., Robinson, L. and Taylor, L. (2016). CLIC Clinical Nursing Skills Programme Evaluation. Commissioned by the Cumbria Learning and Improvement Collaborative (CLIC)

Grimwood, T., Browning, R. and Palaszczuk, A. (2015). Kendal Care and Nursing Homes Pilot: A Performance Evaluation. Commissioned by NHS Cumbria CCG South Lakes Locality

Grimwood, T. and Ditchburn, J-L. (2015). Care Navigators and Case Managers: A Performance Evaluation. Commissioned by NHS Cumbria CCG South Lakes Locality.

Grimwood, T., Bidmead, E. and Stuart, K. (2015). Widening Participation in Adult Nursing Programmes at the University of Cumbria. Commissioned by Health Education North West.

Grimwood, T., and Miller, P. (2014). Healthier People First: Project Evaluation. Commissioned by People First Cumbria.