Lecturer (Health and Social Care)
I work as a lecturer at the University of Sunderland in London having joined the Health and Social Care department in 2023. I teach on both the foundation and top-up programmes.
I have been teaching in the education, including further and higher education sectors since 2013 in a range of subject areas relating to autism and disabilities. I started teaching in the community in 2008. Additionally, my work in the social care sector began in 2007, alongside the other work with which I have been involved.
My research is focused on improving the lives of neurodivergent and disabled people through research and other creative engagements. In addition, I am a member of Community Against Prejudice Towards Autistic People (CAPTAP), as well as other relevant networks. I am involved in a number of projects with autistic scholars, and projects on which I lead are collaborations with autistic people (where applicable).
My research is within Applied Social Sciences, Critical Autism Studies, Sociology of Mental Health and Disabilities, Social and Positive Psychology, Organisational Culture and Improvisation.
Teaching and supervision
I teach on the following courses:
- Foundation (Fnd) in Health and Social Care
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) (hons) in Health and Social Care (Top-Up)
I teach on a number of modules, including Early Life Course Approaches in Health and Social Care, Exploring Quantitative Research Methods in Social Sciences, and Global Health. I also deliver training on inclusive pedagogy and short course provisions linked to my research and practice.
Research interests for potential research students
- Mental health and well-being
- Dementia and Carers
- Neurodivergent lives and their Life Course
- Inclusive Pedagogy
Research
- Applied Social Sciences
- Critical Autism Studies
- Sociology of Mental Health and Disabilities
- Social and Positive Psychology
- Sociological Theory
- Organisational Culture and Improvisation (theatre)