Professor Nicola Martin

I  lead the interdisciplinary Building Future Communities Research Centre at LSBU which is built on the principle 'nothing about us without us' and is a hub for inclusive, creative participatory research, researcher development and citizen engagement. As Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education I have taken a lead on the development of the EdD and MA Education programmes and currently supervise eight education focussed doctorates. My teaching at UG and PG level is research informed and I deliver CPD around universal design for learning across the university. Encouraging and supporting colleagues and students is an important aspect of my role and an important function of the BFC Research Centre and my own research extends beyond education and focussed broadly on equity and social justice concerns.

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  was interim co-lead of the interdisciplinary LSBU Research Centre for Social Justice and Global Responsibility from 2021-23 before leading 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. I have brought the  internationally recognised ATAutism SPELL CPD programme to LSBU.
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. The impact of my research was recognised by Emerald Publishing in 2023 and I was  presented with  a Lifetime Achievement Award  by The National Association of Disability Practitioners on 2024.
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 a series of four edited books about autism for Pavilion. 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 Dignity at Work Advisor, Mental Health First Aider and qualified counsellor. 
I am a supportive colleague and take pride and pleasure in encouraging other people.

Previous Course Director, EdD, MA Education (Autism). MA Education (SEND). Law and Social Sciences Research Impact Lead
LSBU Staff Governor (2019-23)
Staff Member, Academic Board (2019-23)