Professor Nicola Martin

As Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education I lead the research phase of the Education Doctorate at LSBU. I currently supervise eight doctoral students and have sixteen doctoral completions.
My teaching is mainly in the Division of Education. I take a lead in ensuring that inclusion and universal design for learning is embedded in the curriculum and student experience at all levels.
My research extends beyond education and is concerned with social inclusion generally and disability more specifically. The principle 'nothing about us without us' informs my participatory approach. I am impact lead for Law and Social Sciences.

My research interests centre around inclusive education in various settings across the age range into adulthood. Settings include prisons, schools, community groups and further and higher education.
As Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education I lead on impact for Law and Social Sciences. I was interim co-lead of the interdisciplinary LSBU Research Centre for Social Justice and Global Responsibility from 2021-23 and currently lead the Building Future Communities (BFC) Research Centre. BFC incorporates the Critical Autism and Disability Studies Research Forum which has an international reach.
Alongside properly paid and supported employed autistic colleagues, I research ways in which society could be more conducive to fulfilling lives of autistic people. Most recently my focus has been on access to health and social care services and employment. My autism research became a 2021 REF Impact Case Study. I am a founder member of The Westminster Autism Commission.
I deliver CPD on autism and social inclusion, approved by the DfE, as an accredited speaker of the National CPD Standards Office. My focus is on mentoring and I work closely with The National Association of Disability Practitioners on mentoring autistic students.
Much of my research around student experience is collaborative with colleagues in disability and professional services, and student voice is always central. The aim of all my research is to produce outcomes of practical use to and ensure that these are embedded in student experience. I have held various advisory roles with external bodies to further this agenda. My open access research papers have been viewed over 26000 times and my aim is to communicate accessibly in order to influence practice. I am frequently called upon to present at conferences nationally and internationally, particularly on research around student experience.
I am a National Teaching Fellow and hold, or have held, visiting professorships and fellowships at: Hong Kong Institute of Education, Trinity College Cambridge, Sheffield Hallam University, Northampton University and the RSA.
Currently I am working on three edited books about Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education, disabled student support and autism through the life span. I am an editor for the Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education and reviewer for various journals.
Until recently I was staff Governor and member of Academic Board. I have fulfilled similar roles numerous times in various institutions and always take the responsibility seriously.
I am a supportive colleague and take pride and pleasure in encouraging other people.