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Helen Evans
Email: HAP605@student.bham.ac.uk
Twitter: @fe_researcher (Inclusive Researcher in FE ) - no longer updated
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1874-473X
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: ‘Broadening participation in student voice activity; co-producing knowledge of best practice with SEND FE student and staff teams.’
Educational participatory research focusing on creative, inclusive and participatory practices, designed to better accommodate and support students with intellectual disabilities in the research process.
2022
Masters Degree in Social Research with Distinction
College of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
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)
· 9x GCSEs grades A-C
Other training includes:
· Foundation certificate in Easy Read (Photosymbols)
· Studio 3 Low Arousal Approach
· Makaton Levels 1, 2 and 3
· First Aid at Work
· Dysphagia
· Epilepsy and Buccal administration
· Lifeguarding
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. Available at: https://bit.ly/IntentImplementationImpactWhatReallyMattersinEducation
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. Available at:
https://issuu.com/edconferencepgr/docs/hindsight_foresight_and_shaping_the_future_of_ed
INVITED TALKS
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' Presentation disseminating own work in order to support final year MEd students’ dissertation writing.
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)
In-person seminar focussing on best practice in obtaining informed consent in research.
2022 - Autism Study Weekend (University of Birmingham)
In-person seminar disseminating own work to support final year MEd students’ dissertation writing.
2021 –Autism Study Weekend (University of Birmingham)
Online panel discussion targeted at supporting final year MEd students’ dissertation writing.
2017 - The Autism Show (Birmingham and Manchester)
Title: ‘Same Difference: A parent/student insight into a residential specialist college.’
2017 – Rotary club (Oswestry)
Title: ‘Supporting autistic people in the workplace’
ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS
2024 - Participatory Research Network, University of Sheffield
'Mapping the Wave; A 'moving maps' workshop'
CONSULTANCY AND CONTRACTED RESEARCH
2024 - Inclusive Students as Researchers Community of Practice facilitation
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 colleges, looking at best practice and co-creating the downloadable ‘toolkit’ resource:
‘Enhancing the Learner Voice’. https://natspec.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Natspec-LV-Resource-May-2021.pdf
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2025: University of Birmingham
Research Assistant (7.5 hrs x 13 weeks)
With responsibilities for:
facilitating 'Students as Researchers' activities with group of Year 8 pupils from schools within an academy trust
2024: University of Birmingham
Research Assistant (7.5 hrs x 13 weeks)
With responsibilities for:
conducting systematic literature review into Alternative Provisions (APs) and Value-Creation Framework (VCF)
co-facilitating stakeholder workshop with leaders of local AP provisions
co-presenting ongoing work at Research and Scholarship Conference (University of Birmingham)
2021- 2024: Derwen College, Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA
Autism Advisor (p/t – 0.2)
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: Derwen@Walford, c/o Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA
Teacher of Art (p/t – 0.6)
With responsibilities for:
· leading on Art, Functional Skills and Student Voice in small satellite day, specialist FE provision
· delivering Agored Cymru Level 3 in Supporting autistic learners and online autism training
((2018-2019 Maternity leave))
2015 – 2018: Derwen College, Whittington Road, Gobowen, SY11 3JA
Teacher in Admissions (f/t)
With responsibilities for:
· conducting assessment interviews with parents
· assessing support needs of prospective students
· co-ordinating further assessment visits with multidisciplinary team and vocational departments
· developing easy-read/ Makaton schedules for 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 Worker (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 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
2021-22: Committee member (p/t)
Gobowen All-Rounders Pre-School, Gobowen, Shropshire
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
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