The University of Northampton
The University of Northampton (UoN) is a higher education institution in the heart of England, employing over 1000 staff and providing undergraduate and postgraduate education to approximately 13,000 students in the fields of Education & Humanities, Business and Law, Technology & the Creative Industries and Health & Society. The University is committed to delivering outstanding life-changing opportunities in education, underpinned by a culture of research and social enterprise. It is the first UK university to be awarded ‘Ashoka U Changemaker’ status in recognition of its commitment to driving positive change through education, research and social enterprise. The University’s infrastructure includes a number of specialist research institutes and centres, including the Centre for Education and Research, located within the Faculty of Education and Humanities. The Centre for Education and Research provides an administrative hub and resource base for research, development, consultation and teaching activity across all aspects of education. In particular, the Centre has a well-established and successful record of undertaking funded research in the areas of inclusive education, social inclusion and disability.
The Centre for Education and Research has skill in depth with regard to autism, inclusion, disability, training, development and working internationally and across cultures. It has been involved in numerous funded projects within these areas, both as coordinator and as a partner. The University is extremely well-positioned to lead on this project. The UoN will take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project activities and intellectual outputs. In particular, the University will: – act as lead partner for Workstreams WS1a (Project Management) and 1b (Quality Assurance) and WS6 (Impact and Sustainability) – act as co-lead for Workstreams WS4 (Programme Evaluation) and WS5 (Dissemination) – lead regarding Intellectual Outputs O1 (Mapping and Scoping Report) and O5 (Journal Articles and Scientific Papers).
David Preece is an Associate Professor in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion at the University of Northampton, where he works within the Centre for Education and Research. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). He teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate courses within the University as well as supervising a number of PhD and MA students in the UK. He has published widely on autism and inclusion and was joint editor of ‘Supporting Pupils on the Autism Spectrum’ (Optimus Publishing, 2013).
David is involved in work focusing on the experience of children and young people with autism and their families; broader disability issues; and education both within and outside the classroom. He previously led the Erasmus+ funded ESIPP project, researching and developing parent education in autism in Croatia, Cyprus and the FYR of Macedonia. As well as leading the ASD-EAST project, David is also currently researching the experience of families living with autism in rural coastal areas of England.
Paul Bramble is an experienced Research Project Manager at the University of Northampton, where he works within the Research and Innovation Department. He has an MBA and CIM in Marketing. He is also currently involved a range of funded research locally and internationally; this includes: * Cyber-Safe Generation Digital Education by Design (CyGen) (2016-1-UK01-KA203-024399) * School and University Partnership for Peer Communities of Learners (SUP4PCL) (573660-EPP-1-2016-1-EG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) * Ready2Grow (ERDF) (26R16P00521) * Innovate Northamptonshire (ERDF) (26R15P00310) He has also worked on numerous Erasmus+ funded projects, including the ESIPP project (2015-1-UK01-KA204-013397) and Special Educational Needs Employment Links (SENEL) (2015-1-UK01-KA202-013651). His knowledge & expertise has ensured the smooth delivery of these projects Paul’s MBA research has focused on impact within research and he will take a principal role with regard to impact within ASD-EAST.
Dr Ivana Lessner Listiakova is a Senior Lecturer at the Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Department, Faculty of Education, University of Northampton. Her expertise is in inclusive education, learning support, sensory processing difficulties and sensory strategies. She has worked with international schools providing support to teachers, families and children with ASD and learning difficulties. She has conducted trainings for teachers and other helping professionals in sensory integration as well as the use of expressive arts therapies. She previously worked at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia and Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. She was a national coordinator in several LLP Leonardo da Vinci projects focused on early childhood intervention (ECI2.0, ICF-TRAIN) and mental health in families (Kids Strengths). She has been involved in research projects ranging from applying drama and art therapy interventions to using multisensory approaches, focusing on the needs of teachers in inclusive education, young people in social care facilities, and adults in mental health rehabilitation clinics. She is currently working with Assoc. Prof. David Preece exploring the experiences of families living with autism in coastal rural areas of England (LARCAE).
Sharon joined the Research and Innovation Funding Support team at The University of Northampton in November 2015. Her role includes providing administrative, finance and marketing support to the team along with PA support to the Executive Dean. She previously provided project administration support for Paul Bramble on the SENEL (SEN Employment Links) project. An Erasmus+ KA2 project which focused on improving employment opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. She is assisting Paul again with project administration support on the ASD-EAST project. Sharon previously worked as a Human Resources Officer within Secondary education and as an Administration Support Officer for the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Technical Theatre.
