About us

We aim to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Our distinctive approach is centred on working with people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families — including involving them as co-researchers. 

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About us

Improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people by understanding and tackling inequalities, injustice and exclusion. 

We aim to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Our distinctive approach is centred on working with people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families — including involving them as co-researchers. 

How we work is vitally important to us. We seek to creatively break boundaries and find new ways of working. Our research brings into the light the inequalities people face and helps to understand why this happens and how to support people to enjoy flourishing lives. 

We put the evidence we find in the hands of people who can make use of it to drive positive social change. An essential part of our work is building capacity for the future — helping people with learning disabilities, autistic people and family carers to develop research skills and play a full part in our research. As well as researching equity, we aim to promote it through our research practice. 

Our research group is underpinned by a commitment to social justice and ethics. 

Headshot of Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Professor of Social Care / Group lead

Headshot of Chris Hatton

Chris Hatton

Professor of Social Care

Headshot of Sue Caton

Sue Caton

Reader

Headshot of Adele Swingewood

Adele Swingewood

Research Associate

Headshot of Charlotte Hardacre

Charlotte Hardacre

Research Associate

Headshot of Dawn Cavanagh

Dawn Cavanagh

Research Associate

Headshot of Francesca Ribenfors

Francesca Ribenfors

Senior Research Associate

Monique Huysamen

Research Fellow

Naomi Jacobs

Research Associate