Core team

Matthew's background is in theatre, performance and community arts where he has conducted research in a diversity of contexts including with children and with people with disabilities. He is particularly interested in participatory research that gives people agency and personal insight in research processes and of the role of the arts in social justice. He is currently working with Mind the Gap Theatre Company on an AHRC-funded project delivering inclusive community arts practice during social distancing.

Catherine Heinemeyer is a storyteller and researcher with a practice-based PhD in storytelling with adolescents, and extensive experience of both long- and short-term residencies in educational, mental health, heritage, ecological and community settings. Her doctoral research was conducted in collaboration with York Theatre Royal as an AHRC collaborative doctoral funded project. In 2022 she was appointed senior research associate to the ISJ with a focus on ecological justice and leads on the Living Lab projects.

Amy is a senior academic and arts-based researcher with a specialist interest in co-produced research and evaluation in mental health contexts. Amy is particularly interested in work with community organisations, and in children’s and young people's experiences of mental health systems. Amy draws on extensive experience as a theatre maker, storyteller and community arts practitioner. Her current projects focus on co-production, mental health and creative practices, and neurodivergence.

Vicki's research background includes Anthropology and History of Art, and she completed a PhD in History at the University of Sheffield. Vicki has focussed on material culture and practices which link community identity, image making and landscapes. As part of her role, she will continue working on the award-winning Living Lab project, which connects students, staff and partners to ecological and climate focused issues. Vicki is passionate about student engagement and development, with a major aspect of her role facilitating events and opportunities for the York St John student body.

Valeria’s background is in public policy and development studies. Her research has focused on local governance and community participation in the UK and Latin America. Since 2019, Valeria has been interested in understanding how the governance of service provision is shaped by different types of work (paid and unpaid) and the relationship that work has in building community and in developing social justice for groups most likely to be excluded or marginalised.

Jo's background is in community music and music education where she has led collaborative music making projects and conducted research with children and adults in UK educational, community centre and recovery programme settings. She is interested in performing arts for social justice and practice research, with particular focus on the ethics of making together, agency and cultural democracy.