Karen Robinson BA Hons (Political Science), MSc (Human Communication Sciences), MSc (Educational Research), PhD (Education)

School: College of Social Sciences and International Studies
Research Centre/Unit: SEN and disability group

My background is mainly as an advisory teacher for children with specific language impairment (SLI) in mainstream schools. I worked in this capacity for several years, following experience as a primary classteacher and a teacher of children with a wider range of special educational needs (SEN). In 2001, I was awarded an MSc in language impairment in children by the University of Sheffield. My dissertation was on comprehension self-monitoring in primary aged children with SLI.

I completed my PhD in May 2013. The subject of my thesis was the social well-being of children with receptive SLI during the transition from primary to secondary education. I explored my research questions via mixed methodology models, including a qualitative enquiry based on Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory. I have an additional research interest in the social and educational well-being of other vulnerable groups, particularly children in care or adopted post-infancy and young learners at risk of offending.