Kathryn trained as a behavioural geneticist (after a history degree and a brief flirtation with politics) and uses qualitative methods to include the voices of children, young people and adults who experience differences, difficulties or disabilities in research that affects them, including genomic research.

Laura’s research is focused on the inclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities in research. She is particularly interested in friendship experiences and how we can make qualitative research more accessible to those with differing communication needs. 

She has a background in music education and is experienced in supporting young people with additional needs to access mainstream education.

Ryann is a qualitative researcher. Her research focuses on service development of healthcare services, particularly for services for people with communication disability as well as communication within organisations and health communication.

Ryann trained as a speech and language therapist and previously practiced in the NHS working in clinics and in schools.

Laura’s research is in psychology and education, with her postdoctoral work focussing on mental health and wellbeing in childhood and schools. Recent and ongoing studies she has worked on include researching teachers’ experiences of student conduct problems, exploring the long-term effectiveness of an early mental health intervention to reduce children's challenging behaviour, and investigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on teacher wellbeing.

Dee’s research is designed to ensure that children’s voices are heard in debates about the relevance of genetic research to education and to explore the psychological impact of labelling, including genetic labelling.

Dee is passionate about advocating for and ensuring all children’s voices are heard in matters that are important to them. This stems from previous experiences as an Assistant Head Teacher for EYFS and SENDCo.

Kayleigh's PhD research centres around Creative Art-Based Pedagogy (CABP). Her current focus is on the understanding, implementation, and consistent use of CABP with autistic students in mainstream schools.

Kayleigh has a background in applied theatre and performance, alongside experience supporting students with additional needs in performing arts and educational settings.

Rowena’s research is focused on the interaction between self-perceived identity and past experiences of loneliness and being alone, using qualitative methods.

She has a background in legal practice, and currently teaches Criminology with a particular interest in Criminal Psychology.

Salma’s research investigates the educational, occupational, and mental health outcomes of British South Asian Muslims.  Through life story interviews and questionnaire data the personal, social and political dimensions of an often-vilified ethno-religious group are explored.

Salma’s background is in secondary school teaching and social work; she was an English teacher for eighteen years and worked in child protection for four years.