People

Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole (University of Sheffield) is the Lead Applicant. 

She has extensive experience of co-producing research with people with learning disabilities and their families. She will oversee the project. She is also a family carer.

Dr Martina Smith (The University of Sheffield) is a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Martina has research experience working with parents of disabled children. She will play an active role and contribute to all phases of the project. Martina is also a family carer.

Dr Liz Croot (The University of Sheffield) is a Co-applicant.  Liz is an academic with experience of working with parents of disabled children from South Asian communities. She will play an active role as a member of the research team supporting recruitment and Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Professor Sara Ryan (Manchester Metropolitan University) is the Joint Lead applicant.  Sara has extensive experience of working with carers and people with learning disabilities and of using on-line and narrative methods.  She will ensure that every stage of the project is conducted guided by the principles of inclusion and participation to ensure that everyone involved in the project can engage fully and equally. She is also a family carer. 

Professor Chris Hatton (Manchester Metropolitan University) is a Co-applicant. He has been involved in research with people with learning disabilities for over 30 years. He is leading on survey design and analysis.

Dr Patty Douglas (Associate Professor) (Brandon University, Canada) is a Co-applicant and is leading on the creation of on-line digital stories. She also brings her extensive experience of working with marginalised communities in Canada. She will contribute to written outputs. Patty is also a carer of an adult with learning disabilities.

Clare Kassa is a Co-applicant.  Clare is a sibling carer and Chief Executive of Sibs, the UK’s leading charity for brothers/sisters of disabled children/adults. Clare will play an active role as a member of the research team by advising on research design and supporting participant recruitment, dissemination and supporting EDI.

Dr Rosamaria Kostic Cisneros (RosaSenCis Productions) is a Co-applicant.  She has extensive experience of digital technologies, the arts and cultural heritage. She will play an active role as a member of the research team, offering supporting recruitment and Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Growing up with my sister, witnessing at first hand the social stigma of how others viewed people like my sister in the 1970s, I wanted to support people who live with learning disabilities and their families. I have worked in many different environments from what was called a mental handicapped hospital, to large care homes and to community care settings, and at different levels of management. Supporting others to simply reach their own potential with an emphatic understanding, empowering others to life their lives in the way they want to. I have the incredible privilege and complete honour to be a mental health first aider. I also hold (person centred) counsellor qualifications, together with my duties as a Pastoral care provider with the Church of England.

Ali Cowen is mum to Beth and Tom, and Granny to Joseph, 9 and Grace, 7. She is family carer to Tom, 45, who enjoys a happy and 'ordinary' life in his own place with 24/7 support from a team of PAs through direct payments. Ali is retired now (often to her garden!) but worked in disability organisations for many years and wrote books and information with and for families of disabled children and young disabled people, informed by research.