Celia Hulme

Celia Hulme is a culturally Deaf researcher and British Sign Language (BSL) user affiliated with the Social Research with Deaf People (SORD) group at the University of Manchester. She holds the position of NIHR MBRC Research Associate, focusing on improving healthcare access for Deaf BSL users. Her current project, funded by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, develops culturally competent hearing aid clinics for Deaf adults. Hulme earned her PhD in 2022 from the University of Manchester, followed by prior degrees including an MSc from the University of Central Lancashire (2016) and a BA in Deaf Studies (1996).

Her research interests center on health equity for Deaf communities, particularly in audiology and mental health services, alongside advancing PPIE. Notable contributions include studies on interpreter-mediated mental health assessments and cultural competence gaps in NHS hearing aid services. She has been recognized with the FBMH Outstanding PPIE Award (2022). Hulme co-leads the NMSW PPIE initiative and collaborates on projects addressing Deaf children’s healthcare, audiological service improvements, and methodological innovations in deaf health research.