I joined Sheffield Hallam as a researcher in February 2003 and have over 25 years’ experience in (predominantly qualitative) social research and evaluation. My research interests sit at the intersection of LGBT studies, sociology and youth studies. I have two areas of specific research interest:

1.       Young LGBT+ people’s experiences of school and youth work environments, and the interlinking areas of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and LGBT-inclusive relationships and sex education. This encapsulates broader interests in young people’s formal and informal learning about sex and sexualities, sexual practices and sexual health; the in/exclusion of ‘sex’ and sexuality in formal school curricula, and the practice and policy implications for teachers and other professionals

2.       LGBT+ adults’ life experiences, including of community belonging; higher education; homelessness; intimacy; LGBT spaces and events; social security benefits and living on a low income.

Emanating from various research funding, I have written two books and numerous articles on the above areas.

Before joining the University, I was a researcher for a research consultancy company, and prior to that for a Member of Parliament.