Postgraduate researchers

Working in collaboration with Converge, Ruth’s PhD research explores co-production, mental health and the arts, particularly focusing on co-creative processes with people with mental health difficulties who might find it difficult to engage in traditional research methodologies.

Nicola is undertaking a PhD in partnership between ISJ and the International Centre for Community Music with supervision by Professor Lee Higgins exploring community music’s journey through a global pandemic, specifically within the realm of mental health and wellbeing.

Supervised by Professor Matthew Reason and Dr Catherine Heinemeyer, Natalie’s PhD considers how theatre can be used as a tool to amplify the voices of young and marginalised communities within the Environmental Justice movement.

The University campus is now being recognised as a socially valued place for both the academic and local communities. Working in collaboration with Converge, Robert’s PhD research explores how the University campus as a unique place can make contributions to an individual's recovery from mental health challenges.

Working in collaboration with veteran and arts organizations in the US and the UK, Román’s PhD research explores embodied experience focusing on military experiences and impact on well-being, resilience and future thinking.

Situated between the Fine Art and Counselling departments, this research asks how an analysis of the way liquidity features in artworks dealing with assault, injury, and illness can help survivors of abuse to live with bodily trauma.

Amanda founded the Soldiers’ Arts Academy which has created a model of applied therapeutic theatre where members of the Armed Forces Community can interact with the arts. Drawing on her work in theatre, film, dance and TV Amanda’s PhD research will explore the impact of theatre on narrative change for participants and audiences.

Working across education and the arts, Hannah’s research explores the advantages of spoken word and the potential benefits it could have for young people who suffer with mental health issues within mainstream secondary school.

Drawing on the stories shared within the community following the Boxing Day 2015 floods, Claire’s research will consider how individuals and the community re-established roots and connections through the sharing of collective trauma. Looking at how community-led initiatives and mutual aid networks that emerged after the flooding mobilised in further crises, Claire will investigate whether individual resilience has been affected by existing inequalities and community social capital.

Working in connection with the International Centre for Community Music and the ISJ, Rory’s PhD explores community music’s locus within arenas of political activism. Their research seeks to build and understand local and transnational networks of activist-musicianship.

Gabriella Di Laccio's PhD explores how performance, data, and community-building can accelerate gender inclusivity in the global music industry. Drawing on her work as a soprano and founder of the Donne Foundation, she investigates models for systemic change through advocacy, research, and public engagement.

Supervised by Dr Brett Heasman, Dr Lorna Hamilton and Dr Ruth Knight, Sammy's PhD investigates the experiences of autistic adults when navigating between social environments. Sammy's research is exploratory and participatory in nature, aiming to work together with the autistic community to make social environments welcoming for autistic people.

Lucy is undertaking a collaborative practice-based PhD with Theatre Hullabaloo, exploring the processes and impacts of young children as cocreators and coresearchers.

Kathryn's PhD is part of the Institute for Social Justice's STEPs project, which explores the transition from primary to secondary for students with special educational needs. The project is funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust and in collaboration with the City of York Council.

In this practice-based PhD, Mhairi will make a series of short films in collaboration with other members of under-represented communities; combining academic research with lived experience to create a set of recommendations for how film practice can become more intersectional and inclusive.

Supervised by Professor Claire Hind and Professor Helen Minors, Tiana's PhD explores how embodied walking arts practice for women affects sense of self, imagination, memory and relationship with others/the environment.

Supervised by Dr Amy Skinner and Professor Matthew Reason, Ellie will explore the relationship between sensory curiosity and social curiosity, specifically amongst adults with learning disabilities who do not converse through verbal language. Ellie’s research has been funded through a practise-based PhD scholarship from the Institute for Social Justice.