Ann is Emeritus Professor of Social Work and Mental Health, at the University of Birmingham.

She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. Ann trained as a psychiatric social worker and practiced as a social worker in residential, hospital and community settings. She is a member of Suresearch, a Midlands based network of mental health service users and survivors and their allies.

Ann is the Chair of Birmingham Mind’s Clinical Governance Committee and Health and Safety Committee and as a Trustee, Ann wrote A History of Birmingham Mind: Celebrating half a century of excellence in mental health provision.