I am a mental health researcher with a focus on the ways that social identity and neurodivergence influence mental health experiences, especially for those marginalized via sexuality, gender, and (dis)ability.
Most of my research adopts a co-production lens, using mixed methods and incorporating participatory approaches. I have studied at the University of Cambridge and the University of York, where I completed my PhD.
I teach across our BSc, MSc and MRes Psychology programmes and supervise student research projects at undergraduate, master's and doctorate levels.
Currently, I contribute to the following modules:
- PSY4014M - Differential Psychology
- PSY6024M - Critical Approaches to Mental Health
- PSY6001M - Dissertation
- PSY7004M - Adolescent Development
- PSY7005M - MRes Thesis
- PSY8202M - Doctoral Thesis
I am interested in the experiences of mental health that have traditionally been excluded in the field. This interest began during my PhD, during which I explored risk factors for disordered eating in the LGBTQ+ community. Since then, this has expanded to include mental health experiences in the neurodivergent and disabled communities, alongside LGBTQ+ people with a particular focus on marginalized genders.
Increasingly I adopt a mixed methods approach, incorporating more qualitative and arts-based methods throughout. I aim to use participatory and co-produced approaches throughout my research, with the intention of foregrounding the voices of the relevant communities.
I have lived experience of many of the phenomena that I do research around and am increasingly speaking around the nuances of balancing this alongside being an academic researcher.
Current funded projects
- Co-creating meaningful, accessible and manageable evaluation.
Institute for Social Justice Community Partnership Grant - in partnership with The Island, York. (PI | £9,250 | 2024-25) - Exploring the impact of gender and disability on disordered eating: giving voice to a marginalised and ignored experience.
Institute for Health and Care Improvement Pump Priming Grant. (PI | £9,530 | 2024-25)
Current PhD students
- Georgie Burton
- Sammy Williams
- Rosie Rogers
