Dr Steve J Hothersall is Head of Social Work Education at Edge Hill University and a registered social worker and nurse. He has written on social work practice with children, young people and their families, mental health, need, social policy and philosophy, especially epistemology. Steve has also served on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Social Work and reviews for a range of academic journals. His academic interests relate to methodology, the use of philosophy to inform both teaching and practice, and research focusing on the development and use of professional knowledge, drawing on underpinning epistemic principles and considering their role and application in knowledge communities. He is currently working on developing and implementing a model to support practice and research underpinned by reference to philosophical pragmatism. He is also passionate about the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, and the role of music in the promotion of wellbeing.