• Assistant Professor in Educational Inclusion, University of Birmingham

I was a biochemical researcher for a short period of time, but my main career began as a class teacher progressing very quickly to senior management and ultimately headship, where I became an outstanding headteacher.

During my 24 years in education I became specifically interested in how children learn and how to support any difficulties and so became a specialist teacher working in the autism outreach team, in addition to widening my skills as a speech, language and communication specialist and a specific learning difficulties assessor. My interest led me to take further qualifications in both psychology and counselling and so my academic career began.

I am now a doctor in development psychology, assessing and supporting children whilst leading and training educationalists within the area of Special Educational Needs.

• –present Lecturer within the Disability Inclusion and Special Needs team, University of Birmingham
• 2020–present Associate lecturer in Psychology, Open University
• 2013–2020 Research associate, Atypical Development, Coventry University

• 2017 Coventry University, PhD in Developmental Psychology
• 2013 Coventry University, Masters in Psychology, Autism, Merit
• 2013 Stonebridge College, Level 4 Diploma, Counselling Children and Adolescents
• 2004 National College for School Leadership, National Professional Qualification for Headteachers
• 1997 Warwick University, PGCE Primary

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