Karen is Joint Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs degree (with Dr Mia Smith), and has been a Senior Lecturer in Education and Early Childhood Studies at LJMU since 2013.

Karen predominantly teaches on Special Educational Needs modules, as well as those related to Education more generally (particularly Parental Involvement and Home-School Relationships). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, after completing the PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education at LJMU in 2014. She is also a PhD supervisor.

Karen completed her PhD at Lancaster University in 2013, which was funded by a studentship awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Her PhD thesis focused on the home-school relationships between parents of children with Special Educational Needs (particularly those with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties) and educational practitioners, with a key focus on perceptions of blame, stigma, partnership and empathy.

Karen has recently published articles within the following journals; European Journal of Special Needs Education; British Journal of Special Education; Support for Learning; Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs; International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education (Education 3-13); and Pastoral Care in Education. She has also presented papers at the British Educational Research Association conference, Teacher Education Advancement Network conference and Faculty of Education, Health and Community annual conference at LJMU. Her research continues to centralise on issues surrounding home-school relationships, parental responsibility and Special Educational Needs. She also has professional and personal interest in the experiences of parents who have children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Pathological Demand Avoidance and/or complex needs.

Prior to employment at LJMU, Karen worked as a Lecturer at Lancaster University on the Psychology in Education degree, as well as a Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on the Education Studies programme. Karen completed her MA in Educational Research at Lancaster University and BA (Hons.) Education Studies with Psychology at UCLan. During this time, she also worked as a Research Assistant within the School of Education and Social Science at UCLan, exploring how to enhance undergraduate student employability.

She also has over fifteen years experience of supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within schools and the community, having worked previously as a Support Worker for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Inclusion Support Worker and researcher.

Degrees

2014, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PG Cert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
2013, Lancaster University, United Kingdom, PhD Educational Research
2010, Lancaster University, United Kingdom, MA Educational Research
2009, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, BA (Hons.) Education Studies with Psychology

Certifications

2017, National Autistic Society, Member
2010, British Educational Research Association, Member
2010, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Association, Member
2010, National Association for Special Educational Needs, Member
2009, Lancashire County Council, Safeguarding Children
2009, Play Inclusion Project, Disability and Inclusion
2009, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, Skills for Working with Young People
2008, Lancashire County Council, Supporting Children in Early Years Settings

Academic appointments

Joint Programme Leader BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs (with Dr Mia Smith), Education, Liverpool John Moores University, 2019 - present
Senior Lecturer in Education and Early Childhood Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, 2013 - present
Associate Lecturer in Education Studies, University of Central Lancashire, 2012 - 2013
Postgraduate Seminar Tutor in Psychology in Education, Lancaster University, 2010 - 2012
Research Assistant, University of Central Lancashire, 2010 - 2010

Postgraduate training

PhD Educational Research, United Kingdom, Lancaster University, 2010 - 2013