Ellie's Profile
Job title
Lecturer
Academic qualifications
M(Ed) Autism, BSc (ECON) Social Anthropology, PG Cert HE (Distinction)
"For me, the quote “nothing about us without us” accurately sums up the importance of co-production in designing health and social care services."
With over 28 years of experience across the health and social care sector, I’m proud to teach on the BSc and FdSc Health and Social Care programmes at UCB. My expertise centres on autism, neurodiversity, advocacy, empowerment, and co-production - areas that have guided both my professional practice and my personal journey as a parent of an autistic daughter. I’m a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and I’m undertaking a PhD in Psychology at the University of Warwick. My PhD takes a participatory approach to examining the mental health issues of autistic university students.
My professional roles to date have involved supporting children and young people, individuals with learning disabilities, and autistic people and their families. In many of these roles, I championed working in authentic partnership with ‘Experts by Experience’, ensuring that those who use health and social care services have a genuine say in shaping the support, services, policy, and research that affect their lives. For me, the quote “nothing about us without us” accurately sums up the importance of co-production in designing health and social care services.
At UCB, I have developed innovative work with ‘Experts by Experience’, who now co-deliver modules alongside me. Students regularly comment on the value of hearing directly from those with lived experience, finding these sessions insightful and genuinely transformative for their own thinking and practice.
I’ve also held positions as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and have spent eight years as an Autism/ Mental Health Mentor at university, supporting and learning from remarkable students, many of whom continue to inspire me with their achievements today. My own lived experience as a parent of an autistic child has been invaluable, deepening my empathy and commitment to inclusive, person-centred care, and helping connect theory to the everyday realities of practice for my students. I’m continually inspired by autistic self-advocates and campaigners such as Chris Packham, Ann Memmott, and Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou, who are driving forward research and positive change for neurodivergent communities.
My passion for advocacy and empowerment has also led to work outside of the classroom: I am a reviewer for the Journal of Participatory Research Methods and a member of SMARTEN (the Student Mental Health Research Network), and I’ve appeared on BBC’s The One Show and in a film by Comic Relief to raise awareness about young carers. I’ve been recognised for student support and teaching excellence with nominations for awards at both the University of Wolverhampton and here at UCB.
Students describe my teaching style as relaxed and supportive, with practical examples and an atmosphere that encourages reflection and collaboration. I encourage everyone to look beyond their past educational experiences - for example, I wasn’t the strongest student academically, but determination and a real passion for my field have enabled me to redefine what’s possible.
Beyond work, I love listening to music, seeing bands live, reading non-fiction, and occasionally playing the guitar. I enjoy listening to the podcast "I'm ADHD: No You're Not!" and I can recommend Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, if you’re after a good read.