معرفی
Professor Deborah Michelle James is Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor in Health and Social Care and Special Advisor for Health and Social Care to the Institute for Children’s Futures at Manchester Metropolitan University. She holds a BSc, MA, and PhD. Her roles include leadership in the School of Education and Department of Health Professions. She co-designs relationship-based leadership practices in early years systems and advises on the Nuffield Strategic Fund's 'Local learning, national change' initiative.
Her research focuses on relationship-based interventions in education, health, and social care, with projects funded by ESRC, NIHR, and others. She has influenced policy in the Netherlands (video review therapy for children) and Wales (intervention policies). Key roles include membership in the Restraint Reduction Network Steering Group, Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s School Readiness Board, and editorial boards for journals like Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.
Her consultancy work spans leadership coaching for early years systems, NHS health visiting services, and evaluations for initiatives like Parent Infant Partnership UK. She has led over 20 projects since 2003, including the NIHR-funded Child & Family Lab and evaluations of Video Interactive Guidance (now on NICE Guidance for Autism).
Media engagements include BBC interviews and ESRC workshops on digital home visits. She also holds memberships in the Health Care Professions Council (SLT) and BERA.
