Ms Gemma Cook
PhD Student

Summary

Gemma has a portfolio career that combines research, global disability policy expertise, and art-practice. She also has a background as a neurological physiotherapist. 

Gemma is currently working towards an interdisciplinary social science PhD which uses art as method to explore policy experiences of adults living with Cerebral Palsy. This is hosted by Brunel University London under the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership, and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, with supervision from Dr Meriel Norris and Professor Cherry Kilbride and further guidance from Dr Emma Wainwright.

Her research career began in 2018, by working in a small team with Dr Elizabeth Cassidy and Professor Cherry Kilbride to secure a novice researcher Physiotherapy Research Foundation scheme B grant. They have now published a peer reviewed article: Understanding physiotherapy and physiotherapy services: exploring the perspectives of adults living with cerebral palsy and co-authored a related article:  Access, use and satisfaction with physiotherapy services among adults with cerebral palsy living in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Gemma's research focuses on understanding the meaning of human experience, most recently by using art as method. Over the last two years she has worked methodically with three participants to co-create two art products based on their policy experiences: a spoken word performance with a wall-mural backdrop, and a poetry film. You can view the artworks by clicking on the following links: ItsThatGirlWithCP and Unchartered Togetherness

Gemma has practiced as an artist for over 15 years, and recently won the Sussex County Arts Club Annual Exhibition, part of the Brighton Arts Festival, in May 2022. Her work is gesturally expressive, and loosely based on the human figure. Charcoal animation is a new venture, and features prominently in the PhD poetry film. You can see more of her art work here: gemmaconniecook 

Gemma's work in international development centres around disability inclusion in low-and-middle-income settings, combining research and evidence based policy advocacy. Her physiotherapy career spanned multiple settings both in the UK and internationally in low-income contexts. This combination of policy, research, and clinical skills has strengthened her voice in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cerebral Palsy (APPGonCP) where she was invited to present her observations at their most recent meeting on the Social Participation of 11-to-18 years olds, and acknowledged in two 2022 APPGonCP reports.

Qualifications:

MSc in Global Health Policy: The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2015

BSc in Physiotherapy: Kings' College London in 1999

BA in Combined Arts: University of Liverpool in 1992.