Disability Rights and In/Equalities in Higher Education
Disability Rights and In/Equalities in Higher Education is a two-year project funded by the British Academy that seeks to understand and problematise inclusion for disabled students in higher education, in the context of Indonesia and England. It will draw on interdisciplinary insights across the fields of education, sociology, critical disability studies, and media and communications.
The project is founded on close collaboration between the Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta and University of Exeter, and will bring together a team of researchers across the two countries.
Key aims of the project are to:
- Explore social, cultural, religious and media understandings of disability in the two countries and how they might impact on disabled students’ access to, and experiences in higher education.
- Understand the lived experiences of disabled students in higher education and the staff who teach/support them, through an innovative interdisciplinary comparative approach.
- Explore how understandings of disability translate into disability provision in higher education in both countries, and what lessons can be learned from each context.
- Work with key higher education stakeholders in both countries to develop guidance documents and resources for policymakers, university leaders, academic teaching staff, and disability support practitioners in transforming institutional cultures and fostering inclusive higher education.
News
Social Media Mapping has begun in England »
Reimagining Disability Rights in Higher Education Through Cross-Cultural Collaboration »
Academic outputs
New article published in BERJ about disability in Higher Education »
Increasing disability disclosure amongst students is a critical test for institutional commitment in British higher education. We explore this little-discussed issue drawing on interviews with staff who lead disability support services across a range of British universities.
The team
Dr Lauren Stentiford
Dr Lauren Stentiford is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Exeter.
Her research focuses on gender, disability, and social class inequalities in compulsory and higher education. Her recent work includes critically exploring discourses around mental health and wellbeing in schools.
Her work has been funded by British Academy/Leverhulme Trust, ESRC, and Wellcome Trust. Recent publications have appeared in British Journal of Sociology of Education, Educational Review, and British Educational Research Journal.
Dr George Koutsouris
I am an Associate Professor in Education (Inclusive Education), based in School of Education, University of Exeter. In my research work, I explore inclusion in education in its many different forms and expressions.
I have published about social inclusion, inclusive pedagogies, Lesson Study, and early reading interventions; as well as inclusion in Higher Education.
Dr Eleni Dimitrellou
I am an educator and researcher specialising in inclusion and educational psychology. My research interests reside in the areas of inclusion at school and societal context, emotions in curriculum and wellbeing in schools.
I am currently (2024-26) working as a Co-I in a British Academy-funded project that involves an Indonesia/England problem-focused partnership to address the inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education.
I am also a PI (2024-2025) in an ESRC IAA project working in partnership with Devon County Council to develop the Social-Emotional Education (SEE) Teacher Professional Programme, which aims to enhance secondary teachers SEL skills, and efficacy in infusing S in the SouthWest region.
Dr Zizheng Yu
I am a Lecturer in Promotional Media and the Programme Director for the MA in Social Media and Digital Marketing at the University of Exeter. Previously, I taught at universities including Greenwich, Cardiff, and King’s College London, covering subjects such as advertising, PR, and digital humanities.
My article on short video activism with and on Douyin gained global recognition and was widely republished. My project on Chinese delivery workers’ algorithmic resistance won the MeCCSA 2023 Journal Article of the Year and was featured in WIRED.
Dr Pujaningsih
Dr Pujaningsih has 20 years of experience as a lecturer in the Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), since 2003. Her research focuses on teacher education and learning for individuals with disabilities, particularly specific learning disabilities, across higher education and P-K 12 settings.
She examines the changes in efficacy of pre-service and in-service teachers following training in inclusive education. In recent years, she has led initiatives to support educators and staff in fostering inclusive learning environments. She also facilitates professional development programs for special education teachers in collaboration with international institutions, enhancing inclusive education practices.
Dr Nur Azizah
Nur Azizah is a dedicated and experienced faculty member with over 20 years of experience serving as a lecturer at the Special Education Department, Faculty of Education & Psychology Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Adept in teaching and learning for special needs students both in special schools and regular schools, and also higher education. Experienced in various research projects and community services in the area of disability and special education. A committed faculty member and passionate about working to further enhance the educational offerings of an institution.
Dr Tamara Al Khalili
Tamara is a researcher in the sociology and politics of education, focusing on inclusive education and educational inequality. Her work examines how educational systems shape social justice and affect marginalized groups. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Exeter, where her research examined the complex interplay between educational policy, structural inequalities, and the role of schooling in reinforcing or challenging social disparities. In addition, Tamara has extensive teaching and academic experience across diverse educational settings in the UK and the Middle East. This international exposure has profoundly shaped her pedagogical philosophy, which centres on equity, inclusion, and a strong commitment to lifelong learning.
