Anita Franklin

Professor Anita Franklin is a Professor of Childhood Studies and Faculty Lead for Health and Education at the Institute for Children's Futures, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on safeguarding disabled children and young people, particularly addressing criminal and sexual exploitation, agency responses to violence, and rights-based frameworks for protection and participation. She emphasizes participatory methodologies involving disabled young researchers.

• Key Research Themes: Exploitation of neurodivergent children, child protection systems, youth advocacy, and inclusive safeguarding practices
• Teaching: Supervises doctoral students in areas like SEND children's rights, participatory research methods, and intersectionality in child welfare

Her work prioritizes amplifying marginalized voices through innovative advocacy strategies and policy-informed research. Contact via a.franklin@mmu.ac.uk at the Brooks Building campus.