Katherine Runswick-Cole

Academic and professional qualifications
I read Modern History and Philosophy at the University of St Andrews graduating with an MA (Hons) in 1989. In 1992, I completed a PGCE in early years education at Chichester Institute. After a period as an early years teacher, I returned to higher education in 2003 and completed my BSc (Hons) Open (Psych) First Class in 2007. In the same year, I began my PhD at the University of Sheffield funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. I finished my PhD exploring parental experiences of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal in 2007.

Previous Employment
I am a former early years teacher. Since I completed my PhD, I have worked as a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and in Disability Studies at Sheffield Hallam University as well as on a variety of research projects at MMU. I am now Senior Research Fellow in Disability Studies and Psychology in the Social Change: Community Well-Being (SCCW)Research Centre at MMU.

Other academic service (administration and management)
I am a member of the Professoriate and Deputy Head of the Social Change: Community Well-Being (SCCW) Research Centre.

I am a member of Metropolis, MMU's policy think tank @manmetropolis

I am also the Impact Sorcerer for SCCW with responsibility for developing impact strategies and sharing good practice.

I am group leader for the Critical & Community Psychology Research Group within SCCW.

In 2015, I was a member of the review panel for The Economic & Social Research Council Festival of Social Sciences Manchester events.