Nicola Martin
Role: Advisor
Professor Nicola Martin: Building Future Communities Research Centre Lead LSBU
My academic discipline is Critical Disability Studies and my advisory role within NADP relates to bridging the gap between academia and professional services functions as I have worked in both areas and feel very strongly that everyone concerned with student experience needs to work together with students at the heart of the process and disability needs to be viewed through social model and intersectional understandings. I developed the education doctorate at LSBU which includes colleagues working on disability services. I have been involved with NADP from the beginning as a long standing board member and editor of The Journal of Inclusive Practice in FE and HE. I was Chair for six years up until 2012. I am part of the team delivering NADP training on working with autistic students.
The principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ underpins my research career and is relevant to my current role leading the Building Future Communities Research Centre at LSBU. My expertise lies in co-production, participatory research and creative methodologies and I have successfully developed sustained collaborations within and beyond academia and LSBU with, for example charities, creatives, and local authorities. I have an international reputation for inclusive practice in research, teaching, and learning.
I am currently focussing on understanding ways in which the pandemic was experienced by disabled researchers, The Baroness Hollins Review of long stay hospital provision for autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities, and the Lord Buckland Review of Autism and Employment. These initiatives will be feeding into an Impact Case Study for the next REF at LSBU which will also involve work around developing research informed enterprise activity. I am editing a range of books for Critical Publishing, NADP and Pavilion. These focus on autism, wellbeing and fulfilment, the disabled student commitment and UDL.
Part of my LSBU role involves working with the LSBU community and the HE sector to enhance the student experience and I am currently collaborating on this with colleagues and external organisations and frequently present at various conferences on the theme of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) My professorship is in social justice and inclusive education, and I have a National Teaching Fellowship for my work on Universal Design for Learning.
Sample Publications
Human Rights: The Right to Work in Academia
Birchall, D. and Martin, N. (2023). Human Rights: The Right to Work in Academia. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 15 (1), pp. 75-101.
An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Autistic Psychiatrists: “If We Can’t Recognize Ourselves, How Can We Diagnose Autistic Patients Accurately?”
Doherty, M., Chown, N., Martin, N. and Shaw, S. (2024). An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Autistic Psychiatrists: “If We Can’t Recognize Ourselves, How Can We Diagnose Autistic Patients Accurately?”. INSAR 2023. Stockholm, Sweden 15 – 18 May 2023 International Society for Autism Research.
Introducing critical autism studies (CAS) from the Anglophone research
Lefebvre, M-E., Chown, N. and Martin, N. (2023). Introducing critical autism studies (CAS) from the Anglophone research. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies. 12 (1).
Contemplating teacher talk through a critical autism studies lens
Hodge, N., Douglas, P., Kruth, M., Connolly, S., Martin, N., Gowler, K. and Smith, C. (2022). Contemplating teacher talk through a critical autism studies lens. in: Milton, D. and Ryan, S. (ed.) The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Autism Studies London Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group).
Inclusive Adult Educational Opportunities within the Criminal Justice System: Reflecting on the work of the charity Theatre in Prison and Probation (TiPP).
Dolan-Martin, D. and Martin, N. (2022). Inclusive Adult Educational Opportunities within the Criminal Justice System: Reflecting on the work of the charity Theatre in Prison and Probation (TiPP). Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 14 (1).
Healthcare Barriers, Health Outcomes, and Annual Health Checks for Autistic Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
Chown, N., Shaw, S.C.K., Doherty, M., Johnson, M., Krupa, J., Martin, N. and Brooker-Corcoran, M. (2022). Healthcare Barriers, Health Outcomes, and Annual Health Checks for Autistic Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices . Canadian Journal of Educational and Social Studies . 2 (4), pp. 179-199. https://doi.org/10.53103/cjess.v2i4.57
General Practitioner Autism Training and Mandatory Medical Training: A Cross-Sectional Study of GPs’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
Chown, N., Shaw, S.C.K., Doherty, M., Johnson, M., Krupa, J., Martin, N. and Brooker-Corcoran, M. (2023). General Practitioner Autism Training and Mandatory Medical Training: A Cross-Sectional Study of GPs’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices. Canadian Journal of Educational and Social Studies . 3 (1), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.53103/cjess.v3i1.99
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education: A UK, USA Comparison
Martin, N. (2021). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education: A UK, USA Comparison. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 13 (1).
The Metanarrative of Cancer: Disrupting the Battle Myth
Martin, N. (2021). The Metanarrative of Cancer: Disrupting the Battle Myth. in: Bolt, D. (ed.) Metanarratives of Disability Routledge.
Cancer, Bereavement and Work
Martin, N. (2021). Cancer, Bereavement and Work. in: Brown, N. (ed.) Lived Experiences of Ableism in Academia: Strategies for Inclusion in Higher Education Bristol Bristol University Press.
Guest editorial
Fertig, H., Martin, N. and Waltz, M. (2021). Guest editorial. Advances in Autism. 7 (1). https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-01-2021-0007
Studying during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic: suggestions for autistic university students
Martin, N. and Cannon, H. (2020). Studying during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic: suggestions for autistic university students. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 12 (1), pp. 65-86.
A Practical Response to Ableism in Leadership in UK Higher Education
Martin, N. (2019). A Practical Response to Ableism in Leadership in UK Higher Education. in: Brown, N. and Leigh, J. (ed.) Ableism in Academia UCL Press.
Continuing the education of autistic pupils while focusing on family wellbeing during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Martin, N. and Peacock, B. (2020). Continuing the education of autistic pupils while focusing on family wellbeing during the Coronavirus Pandemic . Good Autism Practice. 21 (2), pp. 5-10.
University through the eyes of autistic students and staff
Martin, N. (2020). University through the eyes of autistic students and staff. in: Milton, D. (ed.) Neurodiversity Reader
Perspectives on UK university employment from autistic researchers and lecturers
Martin, N. (2020). Perspectives on UK university employment from autistic researchers and lecturers. Disability & Society. 36 (9), pp. 1510-1531. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2020.1802579
Practical Scholarship: Optimising Beneficial Research Collaborations Between Autistic Scholars, Professional Services Staff and ‘Typical Academics’ in UK Universities
Martin, N. (2020). Practical Scholarship: Optimising Beneficial Research Collaborations Between Autistic Scholars, Professional Services Staff and ‘Typical Academics’ in UK Universities. in: Chown, N. (ed.) Neurodiversity: A New Critical Paradigm Routledge.
The Wellbeing of Disability Professionals in the Further and Higher Education Institution Workplace
Wilson, L., Martin, N., Conway, J. and Turner, P. (2020). The Wellbeing of Disability Professionals in the Further and Higher Education Institution Workplace. NADP.
Autism in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities: A Report on The First Autism Voice UK Symposium
Kandeh, M.S., Kandeh, M.K., Martin, N. and Krupa, J. (2020). Autism in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities: A Report on The First Autism Voice UK Symposium. Advances in Autism. 6 (2), pp. 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-12-2018-0051
Book Review: Ravet, J. Supporting Change in Autism Services: Bridging the Gap Between Theory & Practice
Martin, N. (2019). Book Review: Ravet, J. Supporting Change in Autism Services: Bridging the Gap Between Theory & Practice . Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 11 (1), pp. 52-53.
Implementing Inclusive Teaching and Learning in UK Higher Education – Utilising Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a Route to Excellence
Martin, N, Wray, M, James, A, Draffan, EA, Krupa, J and Turner, P (2019). Implementing Inclusive Teaching and Learning in UK Higher Education – Utilising Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a Route to Excellence. Society for Research into Higher Education.
A critical reflection on the development of the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC)
Milton, D, Ridout, S, Kourti, M, Loomes, G and Martin, N (2019). A critical reflection on the development of the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC). Tizard Learning Disability Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-09-2018-0029
The sensory school: working with teachers, parents and pupils to create good sensory conditions
Martin, N, Milton, DEM, Krupa, J, Brett, S, Bulman, K, Callow, D, Copeland, F, Cunningham, L, Ellis, W, Harvey, T, Moranska, M, Roach, R and Wilmot, S (2019). The sensory school: working with teachers, parents and pupils to create good sensory conditions. Advances in Autism. 5 (2), pp. 131-140. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-09-2018-0034
Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Employment of Autistic Adults
Martin, N, Barnham, C and Krupa, J (2019). Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Employment of Autistic Adults. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 10 (1), pp. 56-77.
Pastoral care and intellectual disability. A person-centred approach
Martin, N (2019). Pastoral care and intellectual disability. A person-centred approach. Disability and Society. 34 (3). https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1563988
Guest editorial
Milton, DEM and Martin, N (2018). Guest editorial. Advances in Autism. 4 (4), pp. 153-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-041
Inclusive teaching and learning: what’s next?
Draffan, E, James, A and Martin, N (2017). Inclusive teaching and learning: what’s next? Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 9 (1), pp. 23-34.
Considering employment of young people with intellectual impairment and autism leaving school and college
Barnham, C and Martin, N (2017). Considering employment of young people with intellectual impairment and autism leaving school and college. Autism and Intellectual Disability in Adults. 2 (1), pp. 53-59.
Disabled Student Support for England in 2017. How did we get here and where are we going? A brief history, commentary on current context and reflection on possible future directions.
Wilson, L and Martin, N (2017). Disabled Student Support for England in 2017. How did we get here and where are we going? A brief history, commentary on current context and reflection on possible future directions. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education.
Autism and old age
Martin, N and Krupa, J (2017). Autism and old age. in: Autism and Intellectual Disability in Adults Hove Pavilion.
Does ‘mentoring’ offer effective support to autistic adults?: a mixed methods pilot study
Martin, N, Milton, D, Sims, T, Dawkins, G, Baron-Cohen, S and Mills, R (2017). Does ‘mentoring’ offer effective support to autistic adults?: a mixed methods pilot study. Advances in Autism. 3 (4). https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-06-2017-0013
Supporting the inclusion of autistic children
Martin, N and Milton, D (2017). Supporting the inclusion of autistic children. in: Knowles, G (ed.) Supporting Inclusive Practice and ensuring opportunity is equal for all Routledge.
The development and evaluation of a mentor training program for those working with autistic adults
Milton, D, Sims, T, Dawkins, G, Martin, N and Mills, R (2017). The development and evaluation of a mentor training program for those working with autistic adults. Good Autism Practice. 18 (1), pp. 25-33.
The Cambridge Project: reflections on a university-based AS social group
Hastwell, J, Martin, N, Baron-Cohen, S and Harding, J (2017). The Cambridge Project: reflections on a university-based AS social group. Good Autism Practice. 18 (1), pp. 97-105.
Encouraging disabled leaders in higher education: recognising hidden talents
Martin, N (2017). Encouraging disabled leaders in higher education: recognising hidden talents. Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
Beyond reasonable adjustment: autistic-friendly spaces and Universal Design
Milton, D, Martin, N and Melham, P (2016). Beyond reasonable adjustment: autistic-friendly spaces and Universal Design. in: Milton, D and Martin, N (ed.) Autism and Intellectual Disabilities in Adults Vol. 1 Hove Pavilion. pp. 81-85
Developing a user informed training package for mentoring people on the autism spectrum
Sims, T, Milton, D, Martin, N and Dawkins, J (2016). Developing a user informed training package for mentoring people on the autism spectrum. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 7 (1), pp. 49-52.
Examining intellectual prowess, not social difference: Removing barriers from the doctoral viva for autistic candidates
Chown, N, Beardon, L, Martin, N and Ellis, S (2016). Examining intellectual prowess, not social difference: Removing barriers from the doctoral viva for autistic candidates. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 6 (1), pp. 22-38.
REAL (reliable, empathic, anticipatory and logical) services to assist students on the autism spectrum via universal design for learning
Martin, N (2016). REAL (reliable, empathic, anticipatory and logical) services to assist students on the autism spectrum via universal design for learning. National Autism Society 2016 Professional Conference. Telford 01 – 02 Mar 2016 London South Bank University.
Compassionate Balliol
Martin, N (2015). Compassionate Balliol. Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 6 (1), pp. 58-61.
Unusual Talent: a Study of Successful Leadership and Delegation in Entrepreneurs who have Dyslexia
Logan, J. and Martin, N. (2012). Unusual Talent: a Study of Successful Leadership and Delegation in Entrepreneurs who have Dyslexia. The Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education. 4 (1), pp. 57-67.
Giving Cambridge University students with Asperger syndrome a voice: a qualitative, interview- based study towards developing a model of best practice
Martin, N (2012). Giving Cambridge University students with Asperger syndrome a voice: a qualitative, interview- based study towards developing a model of best practice. Good Autism Practice. 13 (1), pp. 56-63.
What do students with Asperger syndrome or highfunctioning autism want at college and university? (in their own words)
Beardon, L, Martin, N and Woolsey, I (2009). What do students with Asperger syndrome or highfunctioning autism want at college and university? (in their own words). Good Autism Practice. 10 (2), pp. 35-43.
Personal statements: helping transition to further education and employment
Martin, N (2008). Personal statements: helping transition to further education and employment. Good Autism Practice. 8 (2), pp. 17-20.