Collaboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: Co-creating transformative and innovative strategies to improve social support, educational outcomes, and future opportunities for children and young people in Leicestershire
What were you doing before starting this PhD?
Before beginning my PhD, I worked as a counsellor in a secondary school in Leicester. For over two decades, I have supported young people in both mainstream and special schools, primarily in pastoral roles. This work, alongside my training and professional development, sparked a deep curiosity about how individual and collective norms shape behaviour. I developed a particular interest in trauma‑informed practice and in identifying inclusive strategies that best support young people in education.
What motivated you to apply for this specific PhD project?
I was very drawn to the Collaborative ethos of working directly with the community to both better understand needs but to also effect change. I hope that this research can be a way to give back to the local area I have worked in and to contribute to improving outcomes for young people and their families.
I am at the beginning of my research journey, exploring the theoretical constructs that shape our understanding of children in education and society. My focus is on legal and sociological frameworks, identifying where gaps in provision exist. Through this PhD, I aim to investigate the causes of poor educational outcomes, with particular attention to local risk factors, and to explore effective strategies that enable vulnerable young people to achieve their potential
What difference do you hope to make in Leicester through this research?
I was very drawn to the Collaborative ethos of working directly with the community to both better understand needs but to also effect change. I hope that this research can be a way to give back to the local area I have worked in and to contribute to improving outcomes for young people and their families.
I was very drawn to the Collaborative ethos of working directly with the community to both better understand needs but to also effect change. I hope that this research can be a way to give back to the local area I have worked in and to contribute to improving outcomes for young people and their families.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time?
On completing the PhD, I hope to use this platform to continue collaborating, researching, and contributing to learning in the field of education, with a focus on equity and inclusion.