Jacqui Shepherd

Jacqui Shepherd is a Lecturer in Education at the University of Sussex's School of Education and Social Work, where she serves as Director of Student Experience and coordinates the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. She convenes modules on autism, inclusion, and disability studies while leading the MA Education SEND strand and supervising research students in these fields.

• Education: BA (Exeter), PGCE (Bath), MA (Sussex), PhD (Sussex)

Her research explores transitions for autistic youth into further education, employing creative methods like collages and walking interviews. Recent projects include international SEND teacher training in Uganda and policy reviews for disabled children's education in Jordan.

Her publications highlight intersections between autism, inclusive pedagogy, and sensory accessibility. Methodologically, she advocates for visual and participatory approaches in disability research.

• Memberships:
  • Fellow, Higher Education Academy (HEA)
  • Autism Europe
  • National Autistic Society (NAS)
  • National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN)

She has contributed to dental health studies for autistic youth and evaluated transitions programs across multiple countries, maintaining active roles in both academic and professional autism networks.