BSc Hons (Bristol), MSc (Bristol), MRes (Bristol), PhD (Bristol), FHEA
I have worked in York St John University since 2012, after time studying in the University of Bristol, working in the NHS, and travelling the world. I am deaf and use British Sign Language, and I have a broad interest in all aspects of deaf people's lives and languages, with particular focus on political involvement and activism.
I have a very eclectic educational background, with degrees in Biological Sciences, Deaf Studies, Sociology and Social Work. This has informed my research and teaching, in which I like to draw from a wide variety of ideas and approaches.
Take a look at my citation in support of Dr Paddy Ladd, a leading Deaf scholar, at the Graduation Ceremony 2017.
I lead modules on all aspects of Deaf Studies, including Deaf History, Signed Languages in Social Context, and Languages and Social Theory. I also teach on British Sign Language modules.
My research interests are broadly in the field of Deaf Studies, particularly in deaf space – how deaf people navigate a world which was not designed for them, and creatively subvert the spaces they inhabit. My research has focused on deaf young people’s experiences of transition to adulthood, how deaf communities have responded to the loss of their community spaces, how deaf academics ‘fit’ (or don’t) into the field of higher education, and more recently on deaf people’s experiences in radical left politics.
I am interested in supervising research on all aspects of Deaf Studies, but in particular:
- Deaf politics,
- Deaf space/deaf geographies,
- Research which utilizes creative or collaborative methods,
- Research which utilizes Bourdieusian theory.
Recent publications
I am currently a member of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Advisory Board.
I am a founder member and co-organiser of the Bridging the Gap conference series which seeks to build better connections between deaf communities and higher education.
I have been a peer reviewer for several journals, including Qualitative Research Journal, Visual Anthropology Review, Deafness and Education International, among others. I have been a book peer reviewer for Gallaudet University Press and Cambridge University Press.
I have been a referee for grant applications for European Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Society for Research into Higher Education.
