معرفی
Jemma Bridgeman is a Research Associate at Cardiff University's WISERD, working on the ESRC-funded Excluded Lives project. This multi-institutional study across the UK examines school exclusion policies, practices, and costs. Bridgeman's role involves researching the links between educational exclusion and youth homelessness, with a focus on capturing youth and family perspectives to inform equitable solutions.
Her research centers on young people facing systemic barriers, particularly in education and employment pathways. Key interests include youth homelessness, poverty, school exclusion, and social impact measurement. Bridgeman investigates how institutional practices and physical environments contribute to exclusion, emphasizing participatory approaches to develop practical interventions for vulnerable groups.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on comparative UK school exclusion systems, alternative education provision, and social procurement evaluation. Her work employs theoretical frameworks like Arnstein's participation ladder and Bernstein's educational theory to analyze power dynamics and disaffection. A notable trend is the intersection of educational policy with housing instability and construction industry initiatives aimed at social inclusion.
Bridgeman has contributed to major research grants including the ESRC-funded Excluded Lives project and a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with London South Bank University. The KTP developed a social return on investment methodology for a construction charity, while her current work examines social procurement policies in Wales. She actively collaborates with civil society organizations to translate research into policy impact.
Based at Cardiff's sbarc|spark research park, Bridgeman works within WISERD's interdisciplinary environment and the Excluded Lives consortium (Oxford, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Queen's Belfast, LSE). Her team includes experts in education, sociology, and policy analysis, fostering innovative approaches to complex social issues through co-production with affected communities.
