معرفی
Dr. Ben Simmons is a Reader in Inclusive Education and Disability Research at Bath Spa University's School of Education. His research focuses on transforming understandings of inclusion through community co-production, particularly with people with profound disabilities. He leads major externally funded projects that bridge academic research with practical community applications.
Dr. Simmons' academic qualifications include:
- BA (Hons), English Studies and History, Oxford Brookes University
- MEd, Special Educational Needs, University of Exeter
- PGCE, Early Years, University of Exeter
- MSc, Educational Research, University of Exeter
- PhD, The PMLD Ambiguity - Articulating the Lifeworlds of Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, University of Exeter (2010)
His primary research expertise centers on Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), where he challenges traditional approaches through philosophical frameworks of embodiment and social space. Dr. Simmons develops innovative participatory methods to understand the experiences of children with PMLD in educational settings, questioning whether mainstream schools provide different learning opportunities compared to special schools. His work increasingly explores intersectionality, particularly the connections between disability, LGBTQIA+ identity, and community accessibility.
A distinctive feature of his research is the emphasis on co-production with disabled communities, exemplified by the Wellcome Trust-funded 'We Are The People' network which brings together researchers and community members to create change-oriented disability research.
Dr. Simmons' recent publications reveal a clear evolution toward more inclusive, community-led research methodologies. His work now prominently features intersectional perspectives (particularly regarding LGBTQIA+ accessibility), pandemic impacts on disabled communities, and ethical frameworks for conducting research with people with profound disabilities. His scholarship consistently bridges theoretical concepts from phenomenology and social theory with practical applications in educational and cultural settings.
Dr. Simmons has secured significant research funding:
- Principal Investigator of Wellcome Trust-funded 'We Are The People' network (£1 million Research Development Award, 2021-2026)
- AHRC-funded project on inclusive cultural heritage spaces for people with learning disabilities (2023-2024)
- British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2014-2017)
- Cabinet Office-funded thematic literature review on disabled people's educational experiences (2023)
As a supervisor, Dr. Simmons mentors two doctoral students researching creative arts practices and writing teacher development, while his previous student completed research on BAME mental health inequality. He serves as External Examiner for doctoral degrees at multiple universities and reviews for major funding bodies including the British Academy and ESRC. His teaching includes module leadership for 'Controversial Issues in Special and Inclusive Education' and 'Supporting Learners with Additional Needs.'
Dr. Simmons is deeply embedded in research networks including the Wellcome Trust-funded 'We Are The People' network, the NHS Electronic Assistive Technology and Learning Disabilities Advisory Group, and the Executive Editorial Panel of the British Journal of Learning Disabilities where he serves as Lead for PMLD Research.
