Antonova
i obtained the bsc in psychology from the university college london, uk, in 2000 and the phd in cognitive psychology from the institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience (ioppn), king's collge london, uk, in 2004. i then held a number of post-doctorate research positions at the ioppn between 2004 and 2011, including developing virtual reality fmri-compatible analogues of well-established animal spatial memory paradigms (morris water maze and olton octagonal maze) as a biomarker of hippocampal function for drug development in alzheimer's disease, as well as investigating the neural predictors of responsiveness to cbt for psychosis, amongst others. following a templeton positive neuroscience award as a personal fellowship for the project investigating the effect of mindfulness on sensory information gating in expert mindfulness practitioners held between 2011-2013, i transitioned to a lecturership post at the department of psychology, ioppn. in mid-june 2019, i moved to brunel university london to take on the position of senior lecturer at the division of psychology, department of life scienes, college of health and life sciences, where i aim to consolidate my existing research and education expertise, as well as develop new inter-disciplinary research directions and collaborations. i will also continue my research collaborations at the ioppn as a visiting researcher. my main area of research interest and expertise is the neuroscience of mindfulness with the focus on investigating the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice using psychophysiology and neuroimaging methods with the application to the prevention and management of mental illness as well as promotion of mental health and wellbeing. i have been actively involved with the mind and life institute since 2011 and mind and life europe since 2013, organisations catalyzing inter-disciplinary scientific research into the effects of contemplative practices. in 2017 i was elected a mind & life research fellow for my contribution to contemplative science - the highest honorific recognition in my research field. the most recent research direction is a circulation between contemplative neuroscience and ai humanoid robotics towards mitigating ai risks in collaboration with prof. chrystopher nehaniv and adaptive systems research group and royal society wolfson biocomputation research laboratory, centre for computer science and information research, university of hertfordshire, where i am a visiting senior research fellow. long-term effects of mindfulness practice on information processing, cognition, and emotion regulation; development of objective measures of mindfulness expertise using psychophysiology and neuroimaging; development of new methodological approaches for analysing fmri and eeg data to better understand neural dynamics associated with subjective (i.e. meditative) experiences; application of mindfulness interventions for the prevention and management of psychopathologies such as psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as promotion of healthy aging. mental health and wellbeing; neuroscience of mindfulness; mindfulness-based interventions; eeg microstates sequencing
![Dr Elena Antonova]()
Dr Elena Antonova
I obtained the BSc in Psychology from the University College London, UK, in 2000 and the PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's Collge London, UK, in 2004. I then held a number of post-doctorate research positions at the IoPPN between 2004 and 2011, including developing virtual reality fMRI-compatible analogues of well-established animal spatial memory paradigms (Morris Water Maze and Olton Octagonal Maze) as a biomarker of hippocampal function for drug development in Alzheimer's Disease, as well as investigating the neural predictors of responsiveness to CBT for psychosis, amongst others. Following a Templeton Positive Neuroscience Award as a personal fellowship for the project investigating the effect of mindfulness on sensory information gating in expert mindfulness practitioners held between 2011-2013, I transitioned to a lecturership post at the Department of Psychology, IoPPN. In mid-June 2019, I moved to Brunel University London to take on the position of Senior Lecturer at the Division of Psychology, Department of Life Scienes, College of Health and Life Sciences, where I aim to consolidate my existing research and education expertise, as well as develop new inter-disciplinary research directions and collaborations. I will also continue my research collaborations at the IoPPN as a Visiting Researcher. My main area of research interest and expertise is the neuroscience of mindfulness with the focus on investigating the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice using psychophysiology and neuroimaging methods with the application to the prevention and management of mental illness as well as promotion of mental health and wellbeing. I have been actively involved with the Mind and Life Institute since 2011 and Mind and Life Europe since 2013, organisations catalyzing inter-disciplinary scientific research into the effects of contemplative practices. In 2017 I was elected a Mind & Life Research Fellow for my contribution to contemplative science - the highest honorific recognition in my research field. The most recent research direction is a circulation between contemplative neuroscience and AI humanoid robotics towards mitigating AI risks in collaboration with Prof. Chrystopher Nehaniv and Adaptive Systems Research Group and Royal Society Wolfson Biocomputation Research Laboratory, Centre for Computer Science and Information Research, University of Hertfordshire, where I am a Visiting Senior Research Fellow. Long-term effects of mindfulness practice on information processing, cognition, and emotion regulation; Development of objective measures of mindfulness expertise using psychophysiology and neuroimaging; Development of new methodological approaches for analysing fMRI and EEG data to better understand neural dynamics associated with subjective (i.e. meditative) experiences; Application of mindfulness interventions for the prevention and management of psychopathologies such as psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as promotion of healthy aging. Mental Health and Wellbeing; Neuroscience of Mindfulness; Mindfulness-Based Interventions; EEG microstates sequencing
Jones
professor jones is director of the pan-university institute for communities and society. meredith is a transdisciplinary scholar who works at the intersections of feminist theories of the body with media, gender, and cultural studies. she is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and has published widely in these areas. her latest edited volume, performing the penis: phalluses in 21st century cultures (with evelyn callahan) comprehensively introduces the emerging discipline of penis studies. she is currently working on a monograph about vulvas and on a yearbook about genital transformations in media and culture. beautyscapes: mapping cosmetic surgery tourism (written with ruth holliday and david bell) won the 2020 foundation for sociology of health and illness prize. this book is based on extensive fieldwork carried out in thailand, malaysia, south korea, tunisia, spain, and czech republic. it also comprises digital research into cosmetic surgery websites and cosmetic surgery communities on social media. skintight: an anatomy of cosmetic surgery, meredith's first monograph, is a widely-cited foundational text in studies of makeover culture, cosmetic surgery and feminist theories of the body. her other books include a major collection of feminist writing about cosmetic surgery that she co-edited with philosopher cressida heyes, cosmetic surgery: a feminist primer. she often speaks publicly about social media, popular culture and feminism, and is an expert on the socio-cultural aspects of the kardashians. she hosted a scholarly kimposium! in 2015 and kimposium! the sequel was held in september 2021. meredith is active in the creative industries and founded the trunk series of books with artist and designer suzanne boccalatte, which includes curated collections of artworks and essays about hair and blood. currently she is collaborating with taylor & francis group to deliver a series of projects around new and innovative modes of publishing. the goal is to develop more digitally relevant, flexible, inclusive and faster ways of publishing for academics as well as community, industry, and ngo groups. qualifications phd in cultural studies, university of western sydney, 2006 ba hons. in women's studies, 1st class, university of sydney, 1998 meredith's work is in the broad fields of feminist theory, cultural studies, gender studies, and cultural sociology. she has researched and written about cosmetic surgery and other body modifications for more than two decades. her book skintight: an anatomy of cosmetic surgery is a key text in feminist thinking about makeover culture, bodies, and media. in sun, sea, sand and silicone, an international esrc funded research project that explored the phenomenon of cosmetic surgery tourism, meredith and a team of academics from australia and the uk followed people from the uk, australia and china who went to thailand, malaysia, tunisia and south korea seeking cosmetic surgery. the book based on this project, beautyscapes: mapping cosmetic surgery tourism, won the 2020 foundation for sociology of health and illness prize. meredith is the editor of the routledge series gender, bodies and transformation. she welcomes proposals for the series. animal/human studies, body modifications, especially cosmetic and plastic surgery, cultural studies, digital studies, embodiment, fashion theory, feminist theories of the body, gender studies, media studies, popular culture, trans studies, visual studies
![Professor Meredith Jones]()
Professor Meredith Jones
Professor Jones is Director of the pan-university Institute for Communities and Society. Meredith is a transdisciplinary scholar who works at the intersections of feminist theories of the body with media, gender, and cultural studies. She is particularly interested in popular culture, visuality, and embodiment, and has published widely in these areas. Her latest edited volume, Performing the Penis: Phalluses in 21st Century Cultures (with Evelyn Callahan) comprehensively introduces the emerging discipline of Penis Studies. She is currently working on a monograph about vulvas and on a yearbook about genital transformations in media and culture. Beautyscapes: Mapping Cosmetic Surgery Tourism (written with Ruth Holliday and David Bell) won the 2020 Foundation for Sociology of Health and Illness Prize. This book is based on extensive fieldwork carried out in Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Tunisia, Spain, and Czech Republic. It also comprises digital research into cosmetic surgery websites and cosmetic surgery communities on social media. Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery, Meredith's first monograph, is a widely-cited foundational text in studies of makeover culture, cosmetic surgery and feminist theories of the body. Her other books include a major collection of feminist writing about cosmetic surgery that she co-edited with philosopher Cressida Heyes, Cosmetic Surgery: A Feminist Primer. She often speaks publicly about social media, popular culture and feminism, and is an expert on the socio-cultural aspects of the Kardashians. She hosted a scholarly Kimposium! in 2015 and Kimposium! The Sequel was held in September 2021. Meredith is active in the creative industries and founded the Trunk series of books with artist and designer Suzanne Boccalatte, which includes curated collections of artworks and essays about Hair and Blood. Currently she is collaborating with Taylor & Francis Group to deliver a series of projects around new and innovative modes of publishing. The goal is to develop more digitally relevant, flexible, inclusive and faster ways of publishing for academics as well as community, industry, and NGO groups. Qualifications PhD in Cultural Studies, University of Western Sydney, 2006 BA Hons. in Women's Studies, 1st Class, University of Sydney, 1998 Meredith's work is in the broad fields of Feminist Theory, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Sociology. She has researched and written about cosmetic surgery and other body modifications for more than two decades. Her book Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery is a key text in feminist thinking about makeover culture, bodies, and media. In Sun, Sea, Sand and Silicone, an international ESRC funded research project that explored the phenomenon of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism, Meredith and a team of academics from Australia and the UK followed people from the UK, Australia and China who went to Thailand, Malaysia, Tunisia and South Korea seeking cosmetic surgery. The book based on this project, Beautyscapes: Mapping Cosmetic Surgery Tourism, won the 2020 Foundation for Sociology of Health and Illness Prize. Meredith is the editor of the Routledge series Gender, Bodies and Transformation. She welcomes proposals for the series. Animal/Human Studies, Body Modifications, especially Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Cultural Studies, Digital Studies, Embodiment, Fashion Theory, Feminist Theories of the Body, Gender Studies, Media Studies, Popular Culture, Trans Studies, Visual Studies
Norris
as a qualified physiotherapist (since 1993) i have worked in the uk, india and indonesia specialising in neurorehabilitation. i completed an ma in medical anthropology in 2002 and phd in 2009. my phd topic brought together the fields of stroke, rehabilitation and anthropology by exploring the experience and health seeking behaviour following stroke in aceh, indonesia. i joined brunel univeristy london in 2009. a substantial part of my current post is to deliver expert and clinically relevant research-led teaching predominantly post-graduate courses. i am currently the programme lead for the msc advanced clinical practice, msc advanced professional practice and msc integrated acp apprenticeship programmes. i also lead three post-graduate modules. i have a strong international research profile and currently supervise seven post-graduate researchers. i have specialised in applied qualitative research methods and process evaluation of trials as well as clinical education. i have published over 60 articles in peer reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. i am currently co-investigator in three large international trials and have held grants totaling more than £1.8 million over the last 10 years. i also act as the equality, diversity and inclusion lead within my division. my main research interests are in stroke and neurorehabilitation more generally including multiple sclerosis, parkinsons and cerebral palsy. this includes the subjective experience, rehabilitation, and cultural influences on the therapeutic relationship. research is based both in the uk and internationally. methodologically my speciality is social sciences within clinical and educational research. i have a specific interest in creative methods and co-creation. my main research area is the application of qualitative research methodologies within neurorehabilitation and education. this includes development of innovative interventions, evaluation within clinical trials and understand the experience of living with long term conditions from the perspective of all stake-holders. i am a core member of the centre for health and wellbeing across the lifecourse, delivering masterclasses and contributing to the research festivals and have developed significant national and international collaborations. i have co-edited invited special topics and since 2019 attracted six new pgrs, five of which are fully funded with two on the esrc dtp. teaching responsibilities: msc pre-reg physiotherapy co module lead - research methods teach – rehabilitation ii supervisor research dissertations msc advanced clinical practice, advanced professional practice and apprenticeship route programme lead module lead ph5604 qualitative research in health and social care module lead ph5645 end point assessment module lead ph5666 advanced practice portfolio contribute to ph5615, ph5629, ph5631 cppd co-ordinator supervisor msc dissertations personal tutor tripartite co-ordinator other teaching responsibilities: pgr tutor qualitative research
![Professor Meriel Norris]()
Professor Meriel Norris
As a qualified physiotherapist (since 1993) I have worked in the UK, India and Indonesia specialising in neurorehabilitation. I completed an MA in Medical Anthropology in 2002 and PhD in 2009. My PhD topic brought together the fields of stroke, rehabilitation and anthropology by exploring the experience and health seeking behaviour following stroke in Aceh, Indonesia. I joined Brunel Univeristy London in 2009. A substantial part of my current post is to deliver expert and clinically relevant research-led teaching predominantly post-graduate courses. I am currently the programme lead for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, MSc Advanced Professional Practice and MSc Integrated ACP Apprenticeship programmes. I also lead three post-graduate modules. I have a strong international research profile and currently supervise seven post-graduate researchers. I have specialised in applied qualitative research methods and process evaluation of trials as well as clinical education. I have published over 60 articles in peer reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. I am currently co-investigator in three large international trials and have held grants totaling more than £1.8 million over the last 10 years. I also act as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead within my division. My main research interests are in stroke and neurorehabilitation more generally including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons and Cerebral Palsy. This includes the subjective experience, rehabilitation, and cultural influences on the therapeutic relationship. Research is based both in the UK and internationally. Methodologically my speciality is social sciences within clinical and educational research. I have a specific interest in creative methods and co-creation. My main research area is the application of qualitative research methodologies within neurorehabilitation and education. This includes development of innovative interventions, evaluation within clinical trials and understand the experience of living with long term conditions from the perspective of all stake-holders. I am a core member of the Centre for Health and Wellbeing across the Lifecourse, delivering masterclasses and contributing to the research festivals and have developed significant national and international collaborations. I have co-edited invited special topics and since 2019 attracted six new PGRs, five of which are fully funded with two on the ESRC DTP. Teaching Responsibilities: MSc Pre-reg Physiotherapy Co Module Lead - Research Methods Teach – Rehabilitation II Supervisor Research Dissertations MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, Advanced Professional Practice and Apprenticeship route Programme lead Module Lead PH5604 Qualitative Research in Health and Social Care Module Lead PH5645 End Point Assessment Module Lead PH5666 Advanced Practice Portfolio Contribute to PH5615, PH5629, PH5631 CPPD co-ordinator Supervisor MSc Dissertations Personal tutor Tripartite co-ordinator Other Teaching Responsibilities: PGR tutor qualitative research
Spinelli
dr spinelli researches and explores resilience as the outcome of the interplay between technology, health and wellbeing, and communities. with a background in computer science and information systems, she analyses, evaluates, and redesigns complex systems and products from technology platforms enabling civic participation and community development to medical products to improve care outcomes, patients’ experience, and sustainable healthcare. through a socio-technical approach dr spinelli focuses on the development of innovative technology and products that are intuitive and effective by supporting people in representing, and processing information, to make decisions and execute tasks. she is an international expert in participatory design engineering methods that enable consensus creation early in the innovation cycle, leading to design interventions that are understood, supported by shared values and more likely to be adopted. she has delivered against large multidisciplinary projects funded by several uk and international research councils, adopting a people-centred ethos to ensure research integrity and inclusion. in 2016, together with late professor heinz wolff, she funded give and take care, a community interest company that received in excess of £1m funds to rethink social care models in communities. dr spinelli teaches human factors, and she leads a collaborative design engineering programme, design for health and wellbeing, with the nhs. this programme has generated more than 60 new clinical products that have attracted awards, grants and investments. dr spinelli has several responsibilities outside the university. she is a member of home office scientific advisory council (hosac), a member of the epsrc peer review college, a fellow of the royal society of medicine ( frsm) and of the royal society of arts, manufactures and commerce (frsa), and a fellow of the higher education academy (fhea). resiliance, community development, grassroots movements complementary currency systems people-centred design and codesign design for health and wellbeing care and ageing in place
![Dr Gabriella Spinelli]()
Dr Gabriella Spinelli
Dr Spinelli researches and explores resilience as the outcome of the interplay between technology, health and wellbeing, and communities. With a background in Computer Science and Information Systems, she analyses, evaluates, and redesigns complex systems and products from technology platforms enabling civic participation and community development to medical products to improve care outcomes, patients’ experience, and sustainable healthcare. Through a socio-technical approach Dr Spinelli focuses on the development of innovative technology and products that are intuitive and effective by supporting people in representing, and processing information, to make decisions and execute tasks. She is an international expert in participatory design engineering methods that enable consensus creation early in the innovation cycle, leading to design interventions that are understood, supported by shared values and more likely to be adopted. She has delivered against large multidisciplinary projects funded by several UK and international research councils, adopting a people-centred ethos to ensure research integrity and inclusion. In 2016, together with late Professor Heinz Wolff, she funded Give and Take Care, a Community Interest Company that received in excess of £1M funds to rethink social care models in communities. Dr Spinelli teaches Human Factors, and she leads a collaborative design engineering programme, Design for Health and Wellbeing, with the NHS. This programme has generated more than 60 new clinical products that have attracted awards, grants and investments. Dr Spinelli has several responsibilities outside the University. She is a member of Home Office Scientific Advisory Council (HOSAC), a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine ( FRSM) and of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Resiliance, Community development, Grassroots movements Complementary Currency Systems People-centred design and Codesign Design for Health and Wellbeing Care and Ageing in Place
Thatcher
i am an academic, pedagogue, theatre maker and uefa qualified football coach. having developed a portfolio career as a practitioner-scholar, my work operates dynamically across the generative boundaries of teaching, research, and artistic practice. as a teacher, i have over 10 years experience working in the uk higher education sector, during which time i have cultivated a practice of reflexive, collaborative pedagogy that destabilises hierarchical approaches to teaching and learning. i have taught across a range of practical and theoretical modules at universities and conservatoires, including royal birmingham conservatoire, de montfort university leicester, and university of wolverhampton. as a theatre maker, i was part of the birmingham repertory theatre's foundry programme for emerging artists, where i was mentored by alexander zeldin, caroline horton and tessa walker. while on the foundry programme, i began to develop a collection of three works exploring neurological trauma and the body. the first two pieces: grey matter and the prisoner's cinema have been supported by birmingham repertory theatre and mac birmingham. in 2017, i assisted acclaimed french theatre director, mohamed el khatib, working with over 50 football supporters on stage. i have also worked as a director on several professional projects across theatre, opera, performance art, and musical theatre. as an academic, i am interested in how we understand, study, and use rehearsal in sport and performance training. i have published on different modes of performance training, critical conceptualisations of voice, and the complicated dynamics of leadership within ensemble practices. i am also interested in exploring the political dynamics of collective creativity beyond the rehearsal studio, addressing other settings including sports performance, healthcare, and emergency response planning. i am currently working on the development of an edited book on performance and football. rehearsal studies ensemble performance practice-as-research sport & performance political, social and cultural theory performance training bodies in performance dramaturgies & performance performer training ensemble performance theatre making performance analysis and critical theory research approaches and methods sports and performance physical theatre
![Mr Gavin Thatcher]()
Mr Gavin Thatcher
I am an academic, pedagogue, theatre maker and UEFA qualified football coach. Having developed a portfolio career as a practitioner-scholar, my work operates dynamically across the generative boundaries of teaching, research, and artistic practice. As a teacher, I have over 10 years experience working in the UK Higher Education sector, during which time I have cultivated a practice of reflexive, collaborative pedagogy that destabilises hierarchical approaches to teaching and learning. I have taught across a range of practical and theoretical modules at universities and conservatoires, including Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, De Montfort University Leicester, and University of Wolverhampton. As a theatre maker, I was part of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre's Foundry Programme for emerging artists, where I was mentored by Alexander Zeldin, Caroline Horton and Tessa Walker. While on the Foundry Programme, I began to develop a collection of three works exploring neurological trauma and the body. The first two pieces: Grey Matter and The Prisoner's Cinema have been supported by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and MAC Birmingham. In 2017, I assisted acclaimed French theatre director, Mohamed El Khatib, working with over 50 football supporters on stage. I have also worked as a director on several professional projects across theatre, opera, performance art, and musical theatre. As an academic, I am interested in how we understand, study, and use rehearsal in sport and performance training. I have published on different modes of performance training, critical conceptualisations of voice, and the complicated dynamics of leadership within ensemble practices. I am also interested in exploring the political dynamics of collective creativity beyond the rehearsal studio, addressing other settings including sports performance, healthcare, and emergency response planning. I am currently working on the development of an edited book on performance and football. Rehearsal Studies Ensemble Performance Practice-as-Research Sport & Performance Political, Social and Cultural Theory Performance Training Bodies in Performance Dramaturgies & Performance Performer Training Ensemble Performance Theatre Making Performance Analysis and Critical Theory Research approaches and methods Sports and Performance Physical Theatre
Thomas
i am a senior lecturer in social work. my research interests focus on sexualities, equalities and the interplay between public services and personal life. i am interested in subjective experiences of loneiness among older people and people in minority groups. i am also interested in professionalism and values in social work. my research interests focus on investigating the diversity of contemporary family life and the interplay between public policy and personal life, with a particular focus on social work. i am interested in the impact of ageing on lgb identities and in using narrative approaches to understanding identity and experience. i am module leader for the following modules on the msc in social work: sw5635: the dissertation, and sw5629: social justice: theory, policy and practice. i was awarded 'lecturer of the year' and 'best small module' across the college of health and life sciences at the 2019 student-led teaching awards. student testimonials, 2019/20 lecturer challenges students in a positive way and encourages discussion during the lessons. lectures are engaging and interactive, group work and discussions are very helpful. the tutor engages us in an interesting way that makes us want to participate in every activity. the module is very interesting and i also like how it is linked to social work practice this module is brilliant...moreso because of the way it is delivered and the lecturers knowledge and engagement style. student testimonials, 2018/19 “michael always comes down to student's level in his interaction with learners. he is approachable and very liberal in his interaction with students. all his lectures are delivered with real-life examples. his method of teaching has made me x-ray my life and see the application of social work to virtually everything that goes on in any human society.” “dr mike thomas is an outstanding teacher! he has the ability to see the hidden skills students have and explore them, and make the student shine through them. he has helped me know my potential and how far i can go, regardless of where i come from.”
![Dr Michael Thomas]()
Dr Michael Thomas
I am a Senior Lecturer in Social Work. My research interests focus on sexualities, equalities and the interplay between public services and personal life. I am interested in subjective experiences of loneiness among older people and people in minority groups. I am also interested in professionalism and values in Social Work. My research interests focus on investigating the diversity of contemporary family life and the interplay between public policy and personal life, with a particular focus on Social Work. I am interested in the impact of ageing on LGB identities and in using narrative approaches to understanding identity and experience. I am module leader for the following modules on the MSc in Social Work: SW5635: The Dissertation, and SW5629: Social Justice: Theory, Policy and Practice. I was awarded 'Lecturer of the Year' and 'Best Small Module' across the College of Health and Life Sciences at the 2019 Student-Led Teaching Awards. Student Testimonials, 2019/20 Lecturer challenges students in a positive way and encourages discussion during the lessons. Lectures are engaging and interactive, group work and discussions are very helpful. The tutor engages us in an interesting way that makes us want to participate in every activity. The module is very interesting and I also like how it is linked to social work practice This module is brilliant...moreso because of the way it is delivered and the lecturers knowledge and engagement style. Student Testimonials, 2018/19 “Michael always comes down to student's level in his interaction with learners. He is approachable and very liberal in his interaction with students. All his lectures are delivered with real-life examples. His method of teaching has made me x-ray my life and see the application of social work to virtually everything that goes on in any human society.” “Dr Mike Thomas is an outstanding teacher! he has the ability to see the hidden skills students have and explore them, and make the student shine through them. He has helped me know my potential and how far I can go, regardless of where I come from.”
Wainwright
emma is a professor and interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in human geography. she is co-lead of the human geography: space, place and society research group (with nicola ansell and monica degen) and the education, identities and society research group (with utsa mukherjee). emma studied geography at the university of aberdeen and, after completing her pgce (secondary) at the university of edinburgh and a brief period of secondary teaching, was awarded a scholarship by the university of st andrews to undertake her phd in social and historical geography. prior to working at brunel, emma was a research executive in the social research institute at mori (now ipsos mori). emma's research interests focus on the geographies of education, training and welfare, and social and educational inequalities. in particular her works explores higher education and student experience; social housing and resident engagement; family, parenting and home-school engagement; embodiment, body work and emotional labour. emma's work engages low-income, marginalised and 'hard to reach' groups. research has been funded through external grants awarded by the esrc, the british academy, the city of london corporation, barclays, the froebel trust, the learning and skills council, and the money advice service. emma has successfully collaborated with various social housing providers across london and the south east including a2dominion, catalyst and east thames (now l&q) to deliver research and evaluation projects. the impact of this research was captured in a ref 21 case study. for six years, emma was editor of the british educational research journal (jan 2018- dec 2023). she has recently been external examiner at the university of hertfordshire (bsc geography), university of newcastle (bsc geography) and cardiff university (msc education and msc childhood and youth), and acts as a regular reviewer for various academic journals. in 2006 emma was awarded the newbigin prize by the royal scottish geographical society for her paper published in the scottish geographical journal. recent work has been published in area, educational review, education 3-13 and population, space and place. emma has worked at brunel for 20 years, nine years as part time. she currently works 4-days a week (monday, wednesday, thursday and friday). qualifications phd, geography, university of st andrews pgc in higher education, brunel university london pgc in secondary education (geography and modern studies), moray house, university of edinburgh ma (hons) geography (1st class), university of aberdeen awards and prizes bera conference award for best paper in the educational policy and educational research sig, 2023 bera conference commendation for best paper in the alternative education sig, 2021 brunel teach award for innovative assessment, 2018 university's student-led teaching award for outstanding feedback, 2017 royal scottish geographical society, newbigin prize, 2006 current research interests include: he participation, student success, commuter students, student poverty early years, play and inclusion social housing, welfare provision, training and financial inclusion embodied learning and professionalism home-school engagement and policy enactment engaging low-income families in research ref 21 case study based on resident engagement in education, training and welfare support ref21 case study - education, training and welfare-to-work through a geographical lens, my research focuses on social and educational inequalities. in particular, my work explores: higher education, student experience, widening access, poverty and precarity family, parenting and home-school engagement further education, lifelong learning and training for work embodiment, body work and emotional labour social housing and resident engagement current teaching i currently teach on the following programmes: ba education, department of education bsc geography, department of social and political sciences modules led: ed1705 human development ed2700 the social study of children and young people ed1802 education and society 1 ed2800 education and society 2 focusing on geography, sociology, social policy and research methods i have previously taught on the following programmes: ma children, youth and international development; ma education; doctorate of eduction; ba and ma social work. teaching awards: 2017 recipient of the university's student-led teaching award for outstanding feedback 2018 recipient of brunel teach award for innovative assessment
![Professor Emma Wainwright]()
Professor Emma Wainwright
Emma is a Professor and interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in Human Geography. She is co-lead of the Human Geography: Space, Place and Society research group (with Nicola Ansell and Monica Degen) and the Education, Identities and Society research group (with Utsa Mukherjee). Emma studied Geography at the University of Aberdeen and, after completing her PGCE (Secondary) at the University of Edinburgh and a brief period of secondary teaching, was awarded a scholarship by the University of St Andrews to undertake her PhD in Social and Historical Geography. Prior to working at Brunel, Emma was a Research Executive in the Social Research Institute at MORI (now Ipsos MORI). Emma's research interests focus on the geographies of education, training and welfare, and social and educational inequalities. In particular her works explores higher education and student experience; social housing and resident engagement; family, parenting and home-school engagement; embodiment, body work and emotional labour. Emma's work engages low-income, marginalised and 'hard to reach' groups. Research has been funded through external grants awarded by the ESRC, the British Academy, the City of London Corporation, Barclays, the Froebel Trust, the Learning and Skills Council, and the Money Advice Service. Emma has successfully collaborated with various social housing providers across London and the South East including A2Dominion, Catalyst and East Thames (now L&Q) to deliver research and evaluation projects. The impact of this research was captured in a REF 21 case study. For six years, Emma was editor of the British Educational Research Journal (Jan 2018- Dec 2023). She has recently been external examiner at the University of Hertfordshire (BSc Geography), University of Newcastle (BSc Geography) and Cardiff University (MSc Education and MSc Childhood and Youth), and acts as a regular reviewer for various academic journals. In 2006 Emma was awarded the Newbigin Prize by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for her paper published in the Scottish Geographical Journal. Recent work has been published in Area, Educational Review, Education 3-13 and Population, Space and Place. Emma has worked at Brunel for 20 years, nine years as part time. She currently works 4-days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Qualifications PhD, Geography, University of St Andrews PGC in Higher Education, Brunel University London PGC in Secondary Education (Geography and Modern Studies), Moray House, University of Edinburgh MA (Hons) Geography (1st Class), University of Aberdeen Awards and Prizes BERA Conference Award for Best Paper in the Educational Policy and Educational Research SIG, 2023 BERA Conference Commendation for Best Paper in the Alternative Education SIG, 2021 Brunel Teach Award for Innovative Assessment, 2018 University's Student-Led Teaching Award for Outstanding Feedback, 2017 Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Newbigin Prize, 2006 Current research interests include: HE participation, student success, commuter students, student poverty Early years, play and inclusion Social housing, welfare provision, training and financial inclusion Embodied learning and professionalism Home-school engagement and policy enactment Engaging low-income families in research REF 21 Case Study based on resident engagement in education, training and welfare support REF21 Case Study - Education, Training and Welfare-to-Work Through a geographical lens, my research focuses on social and educational inequalities. In particular, my work explores: Higher education, student experience, widening access, poverty and precarity Family, parenting and home-school engagement Further education, lifelong learning and training for work Embodiment, body work and emotional labour Social housing and resident engagement Current teaching I currently teach on the following programmes: BA Education, Department of Education BSc Geography, Department of Social and Political Sciences Modules led: ED1705 Human Development ED2700 The Social Study of Children and Young People ED1802 Education and Society 1 ED2800 Education and Society 2 Focusing on Geography, Sociology, Social Policy and Research Methods I have previously taught on the following programmes: MA Children, Youth and International Development; MA Education; Doctorate of Eduction; BA and MA Social Work. Teaching awards: 2017 recipient of the University's Student-Led Teaching Award for Outstanding Feedback 2018 recipient of Brunel Teach Award for Innovative Assessment