Curriculum Vitae
Helen A. Evans
D.O.B: 24/12/1978
University email: HAP605@student.bham.ac.uk
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1874-473X
Website: helenevans.online
In brief: I am fortunate to have had 25 years’ experience of working with people who have learning/intellectual disabilities, in various roles and sectors, but mainly within education with young people aged 16-25. In the past decade, I seem to have transitioned from teacher to trainer to facilitator and have appreciated the opportunity, provided by my research studies, to do this. I enjoy utilising my creative skills to support young people with learning/intellectual disabilities to conduct and disseminate meaningful, accessible research and develop confidence in their ability to make a difference to their lives. Through establishing and facilitating the ‘Inclusive Students as Researchers’ Community of Practice, I am developing as a social learning leader, bringing people together to explore how to make the difference they care to make.
EDUCATION
Current study (2022/26)
PhD in Education - 1+3 ESRC DTP Scholarship
Department of Disability, Inclusion and Special Needs, School of Education, University of Birmingham, UK
Proposed thesis: ‘Developing agency through student-led action research with post-secondary students with intellectual/learning disabilities.’
Investigation of the value of a novel ‘Inclusive Students as Researchers’ (iSaR) model of Student Voice, as perceived by participating students with intellectual / learning disabilities, and in relation to their development as agentic beings. Participants have been supported to understand and engage with Social Learning Theory and Wenger-Trayner's Value Creation Framework to ensure research remains inclusive and meaningful to participants.
Supervised by Dr. Andrea MacLeod (60%) and Prof. Karen Guldberg (40%)
2022
Masters Degree in Social Research with Distinction
College of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
Dissertation Title: ‘Their feet into my shoes; a case study piloting an inclusive research training event with students who are intellectually disabled and autistic.’
2020
MEd in Special Education (Autism Adults) with Distinction
School of Education, ACER, University of Birmingham, UK
Dissertation Title: ‘Quiet voices; a case study following a SEND student research group using creative research methods to increase participation in learner voice activities.’
2010
BA (Hons) in Literature (1:1)
Open University, UK
Other qualifications include:
- Certificate of Education in Further Education (C&G Level 5)
- TAQA Assessor Award (IQA)
- QTLS
- Additional Diploma in Teaching Maths (level 5)
- OCN Access to HE (Education pathway) – Literature and Psychology (level 3)
- HND in Design
- 9x GCSEs grades A-C
Other training includes:
· Value Creation Framework and Communities of Practice (Wenger-Trayner)
· Foundation certificate in Easy Read (Photosymbols)
· Low Arousal Approach (Studio 3)
· Makaton Levels 1, 2 and 3
· First Aid at Work
· Dysphagia
· Epilepsy and Buccal administration
· Safeguarding
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed journals
Evans, H. (2021) ‘Quiet voices: using creative research methods to increase participation and the voice of learners often overlooked’, Good Autism Practice, 22(1), pp.13-23.
Conference papers
Evans, H. (2024) 'Using Wenger-Trayner and Wenger-Trayner's (2020) 'Value Creation Framework' To Articulate Intent, Guide Implementation and Plan Impact in Doctoral Research', University of Birmingham, pp.57-60.
Evans, H. (2023) 'A brief and honest history of face-palming; attempting to ensure ethical and inclusive educational research', School of Education PGR Conference paper, University of Birmingham, pp. 8-10.
Blogs
Evans, H. (February 2025) 'Why do you go away? So you can come back', University of Sheffield, iHuman
https://sheffield.ac.uk/ihuman/news/blog-why-do-you-go-away-so-you-can-come-back
Evans, H. (June 2025) 'Clearing the way? Pathways to inclusion so others may follow', Stranmillis University College, Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement
https://www.stran.ac.uk/creu-blog-helen-evans-june-25/
INVITED TALKS AND GUEST LECTURES
2025 – Autism Europe Congress 2025 (Confirmed oral presentation) - ‘Developing agency through student-led action research with post-secondary students with intellectual/learning disabilities.’
2025 - School of Education, MA Inclusion module – Developing scholarly practice and becoming an agent for change (University of Birmingham) Guest lecturer – ‘Voices and participation in Disability Research’
2025 – TCPID, Trinity College Dublin - ‘What is the value of a novel Inclusive Students as Researchers (iSaR) model of Student Voice as perceived by participating students with learning disabilities?’ – Lunch-and-Learn seminar (online).
2025 – School of Education, MA Inclusion module – Autism Adults (University of Birmingham) Live online presentation – ‘Enabling autistic representation’ - https://youtu.be/9nRFHlBJGNs?si=ihrjVxPhdgpGZ2qm
2024 - iHuman, University of Sheffield - 'Utilising the principles of Inclusive Research within the context of SEND Student Voice'
2024 - School of Education, Research and Scholarship Conference (University of Birmingham) - 'Increasing the accessibility of Wenger-Trayner’s Value Creation Framework through inclusive methods'.
2023 - School of Education PGR online conference (University of Birmingham) - 'Using Wenger-Trayner and Wenger-Trayner's (2020) Value Creation Framework to articulate intent, guide implementation and plan impact in doctoral research.'
2023 - MA Inclusion Study Weekend (University of Birmingham) - 'Participatory approaches and SEN' - co-presentation with student participant.
2023 - International Creative Research Conference 2023 (Manchester) - 'Increased Creativity = increased accessibility = increased participation?' Co-presentation with student participants.
2023 - ESRC MGS DTP Conference (Aston University) - 'Waltzing along the participatory continuum' poster presentation.
2023 - Autism Study Weekend (University of Birmingham)- 'Writing my dissertation'
2023 - Online panel session on Participatory Approaches (University of Birmingham) - 'Practice and Research'
2022 - School of Education online conference (University of Birmingham) - 'A brief and honest history of face-palming'
2022 - B-PART – Participatory research (University of Birmingham) - Online panel discussion disseminating experience of developing participatory research.
2022 – ESRC MGS DTP Conference (University of Loughborough) - ‘Experientially Informed Consent’ In-person seminar focussing on best practice in obtaining informed consent in research.
2022 - Autism Study Weekend (University of Birmingham) - Dissemination of own work to support final year MEd students’ dissertation planning.
2021 –Autism Study Weekend (University of Birmingham) - 'Writing my dissertation'
2017 - The Autism Show (Birmingham and Manchester) - ‘Same Difference: A parent/student insight into a residential specialist college.
2017 – Rotary club (Oswestry) - ‘Supporting autistic people in the workplace’
ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS
2024 - Participatory Research Network (University of Sheffield) - 'Mapping the Wave; A 'moving maps' creative research workshop
CONSULTANCY AND CONTRACTED RESEARCH
2024 (Ongoing) – ‘Inclusive Students as Researchers’ Community of Practice (Facilitator): Monthly community meetings, working with a group of education professionals to develop knowledge and practice in Student-led Research and inclusive approaches to Student Voice.
2021 – Natspec (Membership body for specialist Further Education provisions)
Broadening Participation in Learner Voice (Project lead): Seven-month national project with a group of learner voice practitioners from ten participating specialist colleges, looking at best practice and co-creating the downloadable ‘toolkit’ resource: ‘Enhancing the Learner Voice’.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2025: Research Assistant (7.5 hrs x 13 weeks) University of Birmingham
With responsibilities for:
facilitating 'Students as Researchers' activities with group of Year 8 pupils from eleven schools within an academy trust.
2024 - 2025: Research Assistant (7.5 hrs x 13 weeks) University of Birmingham
With responsibilities for:
conducting systematic literature review into Alternative Provisions (APs) and Value-Creation Framework (VCF)
co-facilitating stakeholder workshops with leaders of local AP provisions
co-presenting ongoing work at Research and Scholarship Conference (University of Birmingham)
2021- 2024: Autism Advisor (p/t – 0.2)
Derwen College, Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA
With responsibilities for:
· providing specialised autism consultancy within residential FE provision
· supporting accreditation process from the National Autistic Society
· Autism Education Trust Lead Trainer - staff training.
2019 -2021: Teacher of Art (p/t – 0.6)
Derwen@Walford, c/o Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA
With responsibilities for:
· leading on Art, Functional Skills and Student Voice in specialist FE provision
· delivering Agored Cymru Level 3 in Supporting autistic learners
· developing online module of autism training
((2018-2019 Maternity leave))
2015 – 2018: Teacher in Admissions (f/t) Derwen College
With responsibilities for:
· conducting assessment interviews with parents
· assessing support needs of prospective students
· co-ordinating further assessment visits with multidisciplinary team
· developing easy-read/ Makaton schedules supporting assessment visits
· attending transition/marketing events and following up leads
and staff development trainer -
· co-delivering Level 5 qualification in Teaching Disabled Learners – observing teaching sessions, delivering sessions, and marking assignments
· delivering Level 3 qualification in Supporting Learners with ASC
Previous roles:
2014 – 2015: Student Liaison Officer (f/t)
Derwen College, Gobowen, Shropshire
2013 – 2014: Social care worker (adults) (f/t)
Consensus, Dorrington, Shropshire
2011- 2013: Teacher of Business Administration (FE) (f/t)
Derwen College, Gobowen, Shropshire
2010 – 2011: Café Supervisor (f/t)
Working Together charity, Ludlow, Shropshire
2004 – 2010: Teacher of Foundation Studies (FE and Community) (p/t) and Learning Support Assistant (p/t)
Ludlow Sixth Form College, Ludlow, Shropshire
2003 – 2010: Music Workshop Leader and Job Coach (p/t)
Working Together charity, Ludlow, Shropshire
2002 – 2003: Exhibiting artist and Greetings Card designer
Self-employed
2001 – 2002: Teaching assistant (Primary) (p/t)
Westfield Special School, Leominster, Herefordshire
VOLUNTARY WORK
2006-2008: Inclusive Youth Club volunteer (p/t)
Working Together charity, Ludlow, Shropshire
2000 – 2002: Volunteer activity support worker (p/t)
ECHO, Leominster, Herefordshire
2001 – 2002: Teaching assistant (p/t)
Westfield Special School, Leominster, Herefordshire
REFERENCES
Dr. Andrea Macleod (Supervisor) – University of Birmingham: a.g.macleod@bham.ac.uk
Prof. Karen Guldeberg (Supervisor) – University of Birmingham: k.k.guldberg@bham.ac.uk
Dawn Roberts (Quality and learning manager) – Derwen College: dawn.roberts@derwen.ac.uk