Our experts

dr yohai hakak joined brunel university london in 2014 and is currently senior lecturer in social work and programme lead for the msc social work programme. his practice background is in mental health social work, having worked with adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties. yohai's research explores migration, embodiment, parenting, religion, masculinities, youth, mental health and risk, with a particular interest in how these themes intersect with social work theory, practice and education. in recent years, he has developed a significant programme of research examining the international migration of social workers, including migration to and from the uk and the experiences and contributions of internationally recruited social workers. he has published extensively in social work and related disciplines and is the author of several books, including haredi masculinities between the yeshiva, the army, work and politics: the sage, the warrior and the entrepreneur (brill, 2016), an ethnographic study of ultra-orthodox jewish young men in israel. his work has attracted international attention through academic publications, public engagement activities and several award-winning documentary films. yohai plays a key role in the british association of social workers' special interest group on diaspora social workers and is book reviews editor and associate editor of social work education: the international journal. he has co-edited four special issues of social work education and played a leading role in establishing the london social work research network, which promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange among social work researchers, practitioners and doctoral researchers across london and beyond. he is also the founder and producer of the how does the social work podcast. yohai welcomes enquiries from prospective doctoral researchers interested in the following areas in relation to social work: migration and internationally recruited social workers embodiment and the sociology of the body religion and religious minorities masculinities and gender mental health risk and risk perception parenting and family relationships interfaith and intercultural relationships social work education and professional identity qualitative and creative research methods yohai's current areas of research interest are: embodiment in academic and professional practice | brunel university london the migration of professionals mixed families religious minorities mental health state power

Dr Yohai Hakak

Senior Lecturer in Social Work

Dr Yohai Hakak joined Brunel University London in 2014 and is currently Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Programme Lead for the MSc Social Work programme. His practice background is in mental health social work, having worked with adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Yohai's research explores migration, embodiment, parenting, religion, masculinities, youth, mental health and risk, with a particular interest in how these themes intersect with social work theory, practice and education. In recent years, he has developed a significant programme of research examining the international migration of social workers, including migration to and from the UK and the experiences and contributions of internationally recruited social workers. He has published extensively in social work and related disciplines and is the author of several books, including Haredi Masculinities between the Yeshiva, the Army, Work and Politics: The Sage, the Warrior and the Entrepreneur (Brill, 2016), an ethnographic study of ultra-Orthodox Jewish young men in Israel. His work has attracted international attention through academic publications, public engagement activities and several award-winning documentary films. Yohai plays a key role in the British Association of Social Workers' Special Interest Group on Diaspora Social Workers and is Book Reviews Editor and Associate Editor of Social Work Education: The International Journal. He has co-edited four special issues of Social Work Education and played a leading role in establishing the London Social Work Research Network, which promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange among social work researchers, practitioners and doctoral researchers across London and beyond. He is also the founder and producer of the How Does the Social Work podcast. Yohai welcomes enquiries from prospective doctoral researchers interested in the following areas in relation to social work: Migration and internationally recruited social workers Embodiment and the sociology of the body Religion and religious minorities Masculinities and gender Mental health Risk and risk perception Parenting and family relationships Interfaith and intercultural relationships Social work education and professional identity Qualitative and creative research methods Yohai's current areas of research interest are: Embodiment in Academic and Professional Practice | Brunel University London The migration of professionals Mixed families Religious minorities Mental health State power

dominik havsteen-franklin’s work explores how arts therapies and creative health practices contribute to personal, social, technological, and systemic change. as professor of practice in arts therapies at brunel university london and consultant in arts psychotherapies at central and north west london nhs foundation trust, he works across clinical practice, research, education, public health, digital innovation, and cultural partnership. his scholarship is concerned with the conditions through which change becomes possible. drawing on complexity theory, critical realism, new materialist and posthumanist thought, systems thinking, ecological models, mentalization-based approaches, and critically pluralist arts therapies theory, dominik examines how wellbeing emerges through relations between people, materials, places, institutions, cultures, technologies, and forms of knowledge. a central theme in his recent work is the relationship between creativity, artificial intelligence, and wellbeing. he is interested in how ai and digital systems organise patterns of convergence and divergence: how they can narrow complex experience through prediction, classification, optimisation, and repetition, but also how they may support generative reflection, relational insight, and imaginative forms of inquiry when developed within ethical and participatory frameworks. his methodological work spans realist evaluation, arts-based inquiry, participatory research, mixed-methods evaluation, psychometric development, and complexity-informed programme design. he is particularly interested in methods that can account for emergence, uncertainty, power, context, and lived experience, especially where conventional models of evidence struggle to capture the relational, material, and ecological dimensions of arts-based practice. dominik’s current projects include research on ethical digital creative health through p_art_icipate!, education and wellbeing through the art of wellbeing in education project, ai-informed approaches to relational and linguistic change in mental health contexts, and creative systems approaches to nhs team development and organisational learning (care project). his work with teams focuses on how affect, communication, leadership, professional identity, institutional pressures, and psychological safety interact within complex organisational ecologies. across these projects, dominik works with partners in health services, higher education, cultural organisations, digital innovation, community settings, and international arts therapies networks. his research seeks to develop approaches that are theoretically rigorous, practically useful, and accountable to the communities, practitioners, institutions, and technologies through which contemporary wellbeing practices are shaped. my research explores how arts therapies and creative health practices contribute to wellbeing, mental health, education, social change and systems development. i am particularly interested in relational and ecological approaches to practice, and in how change emerges through interactions between people, materials, places, institutions, technologies and wider socio-political contexts. my work draws on complexity theory, critical realism, new materialist and posthumanist thought, systems thinking, mentalization-based practice and critically pluralist arts therapies theory. methodologically, i work across realist evaluation, arts-based research, participatory inquiry, mixed-methods evaluation, psychometric development and complexity-informed programme theory. current research interests include digital creative health, ethical wellbeing technologies, artificial intelligence and creativity, convergence and divergence in mental health and wellbeing, arts-based approaches to team development, creative health in education, social art therapy, trauma-informed practice, and context-sensitive approaches to evaluating creative health interventions. arts therapies and creative health social art therapy and arts-based approaches to social change digital creative health, digital wellbeing, and ethical online practice artificial intelligence, creativity, mental health, and wellbeing complexity theory, systems thinking, and ecological approaches to care realist evaluation, living logic models, and complexity-informed programme evaluation participatory, arts-based, and practice-based research methods mentalization, relational practice, and psychodynamic approaches in arts therapies team development, organisational learning, and psychological safety in healthcare systems education, curriculum development, and wellbeing in higher education trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and socially situated arts therapies practice psychometric development and evaluation of creative wellbeing measures ethics, regulation, accessibility, and inclusion in creative health and arts therapies interdisciplinary partnerships across health, education, culture, community, and technology sectors

Dr Dominik Havsteen-Franklin

Professor of Arts Psychotherapies & Creative Health

Dominik Havsteen-Franklin’s work explores how arts therapies and creative health practices contribute to personal, social, technological, and systemic change. As Professor of Practice in Arts Therapies at Brunel University London and Consultant in Arts Psychotherapies at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, he works across clinical practice, research, education, public health, digital innovation, and cultural partnership. His scholarship is concerned with the conditions through which change becomes possible. Drawing on complexity theory, critical realism, new materialist and posthumanist thought, systems thinking, ecological models, mentalization-based approaches, and critically pluralist arts therapies theory, Dominik examines how wellbeing emerges through relations between people, materials, places, institutions, cultures, technologies, and forms of knowledge. A central theme in his recent work is the relationship between creativity, artificial intelligence, and wellbeing. He is interested in how AI and digital systems organise patterns of convergence and divergence: how they can narrow complex experience through prediction, classification, optimisation, and repetition, but also how they may support generative reflection, relational insight, and imaginative forms of inquiry when developed within ethical and participatory frameworks. His methodological work spans realist evaluation, arts-based inquiry, participatory research, mixed-methods evaluation, psychometric development, and complexity-informed programme design. He is particularly interested in methods that can account for emergence, uncertainty, power, context, and lived experience, especially where conventional models of evidence struggle to capture the relational, material, and ecological dimensions of arts-based practice. Dominik’s current projects include research on ethical digital creative health through p_ART_icipate!, education and wellbeing through the Art of Wellbeing in Education Project, AI-informed approaches to relational and linguistic change in mental health contexts, and creative systems approaches to NHS team development and organisational learning (CaRE Project). His work with teams focuses on how affect, communication, leadership, professional identity, institutional pressures, and psychological safety interact within complex organisational ecologies. Across these projects, Dominik works with partners in health services, higher education, cultural organisations, digital innovation, community settings, and international arts therapies networks. His research seeks to develop approaches that are theoretically rigorous, practically useful, and accountable to the communities, practitioners, institutions, and technologies through which contemporary wellbeing practices are shaped. My research explores how arts therapies and creative health practices contribute to wellbeing, mental health, education, social change and systems development. I am particularly interested in relational and ecological approaches to practice, and in how change emerges through interactions between people, materials, places, institutions, technologies and wider socio-political contexts. My work draws on complexity theory, critical realism, new materialist and posthumanist thought, systems thinking, mentalization-based practice and critically pluralist arts therapies theory. Methodologically, I work across realist evaluation, arts-based research, participatory inquiry, mixed-methods evaluation, psychometric development and complexity-informed programme theory. Current research interests include digital creative health, ethical wellbeing technologies, artificial intelligence and creativity, convergence and divergence in mental health and wellbeing, arts-based approaches to team development, creative health in education, social art therapy, trauma-informed practice, and context-sensitive approaches to evaluating creative health interventions. Arts therapies and creative health Social art therapy and arts-based approaches to social change Digital creative health, digital wellbeing, and ethical online practice Artificial intelligence, creativity, mental health, and wellbeing Complexity theory, systems thinking, and ecological approaches to care Realist evaluation, Living Logic Models, and complexity-informed programme evaluation Participatory, arts-based, and practice-based research methods Mentalization, relational practice, and psychodynamic approaches in arts therapies Team development, organisational learning, and psychological safety in healthcare systems Education, curriculum development, and wellbeing in higher education Trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and socially situated arts therapies practice Psychometric development and evaluation of creative wellbeing measures Ethics, regulation, accessibility, and inclusion in creative health and arts therapies Interdisciplinary partnerships across health, education, culture, community, and technology sectors

Dr Elena Antonova

Reader in Psychology

I am a Reader in Contemplative Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. I obtained a BSc in Psychology in 2000 from the University College London, UK, and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology in 2004 from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK. My main area of research interest and expertise is the neuroscience of mindfulness, with a focus on investigating the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice using psychophysiology and neuroimaging methods, and applying the insights gained from this research to the prevention of mental illness as well as the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. I have been actively involved with the Mind and Life Institute since 2011 and with Mind and Life Europe since 2013, organisations that catalyse interdisciplinary 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. I also actively engage with the ontological foundations of cognitive neuroscience, specifically the mind–brain relationship, and of the sciences more generally. 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

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

Honorary Professor

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

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, currently co-investigator in three large international trials and have held grants totaling more than £3.5 million over the last 10 years. i have specialised in applied qualitative research methods and process evaluation of trials as well as clinical education. i have published over 80 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 regularly supervise post graduate researchers. 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 supervise several pgrs. teaching responsibilities: msc pre-reg physiotherapy co module lead - research methods 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 contribute to ph5615, ph5631 supervisor msc dissertations personal tutor tripartite co-ordinator other teaching responsibilities: pgr tutor qualitative research

Professor Meriel Norris

Professor

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, currently co-investigator in three large international trials and have held grants totaling more than £3.5 million over the last 10 years. I have specialised in applied qualitative research methods and process evaluation of trials as well as clinical education. I have published over 80 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 regularly supervise post graduate researchers. 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 supervise several PGRs. Teaching Responsibilities: MSc Pre-reg Physiotherapy Co Module Lead - Research Methods 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 Contribute to PH5615, PH5631 Supervisor MSc Dissertations Personal tutor Tripartite co-ordinator Other Teaching Responsibilities: PGR tutor qualitative research

dr spinelli holds a laurea in human-computer interaction, a phd in computer science, and a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher education (fhea). her research spans more than two decades and centres on human factors and user-centred design in complex socio-technical systems, with 60+ peer-reviewed journal and conference publications. her interdisciplinary research portfolio encompasses public and third-sector settings; in healthcare specifically, her major applied work includes the design and evaluation of inclusive, intuitive and sustainable medical products (supported by ahrc, nhs charity, nhs england, mrc, innovate uk and nihr). more recently, her focus has shifted to strategic design and regulatory innovation in digital health. she is principal investigator of the radiant cersi, a centre for excellence in regulatory science and innovation in transformative digital health and ai. she also leads programmes on innovation leadership in the nhs, and support the nihr funded commercial delivery research centre led by the london north west nhs university trust to achieve inclusive community engagement and participation in clinical trials for responsible research and innovation. dr spinelli is named inventor on two medical-device patents and co-directs the centre for research into smart technologies for health and rehabilitation (stahr). she leads the design for health programme to facilitate co-development of clinically-led innovations through nhs, medtech and academic collaboration. in addition to her research leadership, gabriella teaches human factors to final-year students and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate reserach students in healthcare innovation. previous notable projects include the analysis of police command and control room operations in collaboration with the national police intelligence agency (epsrc); long-term research on technology adoption and inclusive product design for ageing populations (esrc; daiwa foundation); and the development of intuitive product-service systems for later life (design council). she has led international research into community currencies and their role in reimagining social care and sustainable economic exchange (innovate uk, £1m), as well as the development and evaluation of digital complementary currencies aligned with the un sustainable development goals (formas). dr spinelli is a member of the mhra national commission for the regulation of ai in healthcare. she serves as scientific advisor to the uk home office (hosac) and she is also a member of the epsrc peer review college and an associate editor of the journal of design for augmented humanity. gabriella heads the brunel design school since march 2026. healthcare innovation regulatory science for medtech human factors user-centred design design thinking in healthcare engineering digital health and ai in healthcare

Dr Gabriella Spinelli

Head of Brunel Design School/Professor

Dr Spinelli holds a Laurea in Human-Computer Interaction, a PhD in Computer Science, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (FHEA). Her research spans more than two decades and centres on human factors and user-centred design in complex socio-technical systems, with 60+ peer-reviewed journal and conference publications. Her interdisciplinary research portfolio encompasses public and third-sector settings; in healthcare specifically, her major applied work includes the design and evaluation of inclusive, intuitive and sustainable medical products (supported by AHRC, NHS Charity, NHS England, MRC, Innovate UK and NIHR). More recently, her focus has shifted to strategic design and regulatory innovation in digital health. She is Principal Investigator of the RADIANT CERSI, a Centre for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation in Transformative Digital Health and AI. She also leads programmes on innovation leadership in the NHS, and support the NIHR funded Commercial Delivery Research Centre led by the London North West NHS University Trust to achieve inclusive community engagement and participation in clinical trials for responsible research and innovation. Dr Spinelli is named inventor on two medical-device patents and co-directs the Centre for Research into Smart Technologies for Health and Rehabilitation (STAHR). She leads the Design for Health programme to facilitate co-development of clinically-led innovations through NHS, medtech and academic collaboration. In addition to her research leadership, Gabriella teaches Human Factors to final-year students and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate reserach students in healthcare innovation. Previous notable projects include the analysis of police command and control room operations in collaboration with the National Police Intelligence Agency (EPSRC); long-term research on technology adoption and inclusive product design for ageing populations (ESRC; DAIWA Foundation); and the development of intuitive product-service systems for later life (Design Council). She has led international research into community currencies and their role in reimagining social care and sustainable economic exchange (Innovate UK, £1M), as well as the development and evaluation of digital complementary currencies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (FORMAS). Dr Spinelli is a member of the MHRA National Commission for the Regulation of AI in Healthcare. She serves as Scientific Advisor to the UK Home Office (HOSAC) and she is also a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Design for Augmented Humanity. Gabriella heads the Brunel Design School since March 2026. Healthcare Innovation Regulatory Science for medtech Human Factors User-centred design Design Thinking in healthcare engineering Digital Health and AI in healthcare

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

Honorary Senior Lecturer

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

Dr Michael Thomas

Senior Lecturer in Social Work

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' at the 2018 Student-Led Teaching Awards, 'Best Small Module' across the College of Health and Life Sciences at the 2019 Awards, Liberation Champion at the 2022 Awards and the Brunel Union of Students' Officers Choice Award for 2024. Student Testimonials, 2024/5 Very informative. Mike is a great teacher – very engaging and interactive Very detailed and informative. His teaching was very clear and comprehensive. Very engaging as well. Very informative, Mike makes sure you are engaged. Well thought and examples clarified things. He had time for students and went to great lengths to ensure learning.

emma is a professor and human geographer within the department of education at brunel university of london. 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 part of ipsos). emma's research interests focus on the geographies of education, training and welfare, and educational access and engagement. in particular her works explores higher education and student experience; social housing and resident wellbeing; family, parenting and home-school partnership. emma's research often 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 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 23 years, the majority of which has been part time. she currently works 4-days a week (monday, wednesday to 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 brunel colleage of arts, law and social sciences award for research group of the year, 2026 brunel impact award nomination for enhancing research culture, 2025 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, parenting and care 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 is a Professor and human geographer within the Department of Education at Brunel University of London. 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 part of Ipsos). Emma's research interests focus on the geographies of education, training and welfare, and educational access and engagement. In particular her works explores higher education and student experience; social housing and resident wellbeing; family, parenting and home-school partnership. Emma's research often 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 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 23 years, the majority of which has been part time. She currently works 4-days a week (Monday, Wednesday to 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 Brunel Colleage of Arts, Law and Social Sciences award for Research Group of the Year, 2026 Brunel Impact Award nomination for Enhancing Research Culture, 2025 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, parenting and care 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