Dr Ciarán Murphy is one of England's leading child protection academics. Employed as a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Edge Hill University's Department of Social Work and Wellbeing, Ciarán is regularly asked to contribute to national media discussions about child protection work and the systemic challenges facing child protection practitioners. Ciarán frequently advises local and national politicians and policy makers on issues pertaining to child protection and the welfare of children.

Ciarán serves as Board member, Trustee and Research Lead for the Association of Child Protection Professionals (AoCPP) (UK registered charity no. 1190441). He is Associate Editor of Child Abuse Review (ISSN: 1099-0852); and sits on the Editorial Board for both Child Protection and Practice (ISSN: 2950-1938) and Child Abuse & Neglect (ISSN: 1873-7757).

Before working in academia, Ciarán practised for 10 years in the areas of child protection, substance misuse, and education welfare. He remains a qualified and registered social worker with Social Work England. 

Ciarán's research experience began in the evaluation of treatment services, but his areas of specialism now include the child protection and social work workforce; children in care; and how digital technology is being used to perpetuate harm and abuse of children. Ciarán has been the recipient of several research grants totalling more than £1m.

Ciarán often serves as expert witness in child protection and safeguarding cases – including in test cases and judicial reviews. He is regularly asked to deliver keynote addresses at national and international child protection conferences (or else serve as Chair of research events).

Ciarán remains an advocate for social justice, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and child-centred child protection practice. He is also an avid fan of the Houston Texans.