My research interests include policy influence, emancipation, political participation, advocacy and representation. I am particularly interested in how marginalised groups can influence policy decisions.  

My PhD research focuses on what autistic people can do, as a group, to increase their policy influence. I propose firstly that the potential and actual influence of marginalised groups is under-estimated and secondly that the most effective way of increasing influence is to adopt a strengths-based, collaborative approach. My first article on designing policies for empowerment has been published in European Policy Analysis journal, and I am currently collecting data for two further, linked articles on autistic policy influence in England.

I am fluent in French and Italian and have eight years' experience working in Local Authorities in England to support children and young people with a range of special educational needs.