Personal Statement
I am a lecturer in the department of Primary Care and Mental Health at the University of Liverpool. I completed an ESRC-funded PhD in Psychology at the University of Liverpool in 2022. My thesis was titled "What reading fiction can do: The value of literature in challenging deficit-based understandings of autistic people" and focussed on drawing upon the principles of English Literature and Psychology to challenge the way that we think about the socio-emotional experiences of autistic people within research. As an autistic adult myself with ADHD, I am passionate about researching the experiences of neurodivergent adults. I have a strong interest in participatory research methodologies and in the value of interdisciplinary collaborations for furthering understandings of neurodivergence. My core research interest centres around enhancing belonging and accessibility for neurodivergent people, with a specialist focus on autism and ADHD. My work looks at enhancing inclusion across contexts including education, healthcare, and community provisions.

I would be happy to hear from PhD students who are interested in researching the following areas:
1. Wellbeing and social inclusion in autistic adults and/or adults with ADHD.
2. Neurodivergent access to diagnostic pathways and wider healthcare services.
3. The double empathy problem and the impact of intersectional identities amongst neurodivergent groups.
4. The impact of community-based activities on wellbeing and social inclusion particularly amongst neurodivergent individuals.

Research Overview
I am broadly interested in qualitative, inter-disciplinary and community co-production methodologies within psychological research. My research has primarily focussed on exploring the experiences of neurodivergent adults (e.g. autism and ADHD) with a focus on improving accessibility and belonging in society at large. I am also interested in evaluating community-based approaches to mental health and wellbeing, with a specific interest in the value of arts and cultural activities for wellbeing and inclusion.