Dr Jess Mannion

Profile

With 16 years of academic experience, I have held various roles, including Lecturer, External Examiner, and Researcher in social care and disability studies. My career has spanned international institutions such as the Atlantic Technological University Sligo, Trinity College Dublin, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Liverpool Hope University.

My PhD and postdoctoral research have centred on collaborative action research in sexual citizenship and sexual health education. I have led and collaborated with international research teams, including the Relationships and Sexuality Research Team in Ireland, which consists of researchers with learning disabilities and neurodivergence. This team partners with interdisciplinary academics from the University of Cincinnati in the Disabilities Without Borders project. Our research utilises a variety of visual and creative methods, including art, drawing, participant poetry, rap, creative performance, joint sandboxing, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, third objects, film, and comic zines to collect and disseminate data.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, hold a Postgraduate teaching qualification, and have received several teaching awards. I serve on the Board of the Journal of Creative Research Methods and review for three other academic journals. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in co-establishing and co-leading the Disability and Sexuality Research Network (DSRN). I am a qualified and experienced Social Care Practitioner. I take pride in being a working-class disabled academic, using research as a tool for social justice and change for disabled people.

I am now a Research Fellow on Dr Jade French’s Inclusive Art for Wicked Problems project. I am working in collaboration with the Leeds-based inclusive arts studio Pyramid to explore the innovative integration of inclusive arts practices within systemic action research. My role involves supporting the mobilisation of learning disabled and autistic artist’s expertise and creativity to address key challenges within the social care system.

This project builds on Dr French’s ongoing research and includes partnerships with three UK-based inclusive arts organisations, as well as an international collaboration with Dr Viviane Sarraf and the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art in Brazil. Together, we are co-creating São Paulo’s first inclusive art studio, establishing new arts-led infrastructure alongside learning disabled citizens.

Qualifications

• PhD in Disability Studies - Trinity College Dublin.
• MA in Disability Studies - Atlantic Technological University Sligo.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment - Atlantic Technological University.
• BA (Hons) Social Care Practice - Atlantic Technological University.
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Professional memberships

• Disability and Sexuality Research Network