Kirstie Hartwell

Kirstie Hartwell is a Lecturer in Education and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Manchester Institute of Education, focusing on socio-cognitive development and language intervention. She leads the adaptation of the Parents and Children Together (PACT) program for children with Down syndrome (PACT-DS).

Education:

• PhD in Human Cognition (The University of Manchester, 2018-2022)
• BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy (The University of Manchester, 2014-2018)
• BA (Hons) in English Literary Studies and Journalism (University of Worcester, 2008-2011)

Research Interests:

• Developmental psychology of socio-cognitive skills in typical/atypical contexts
• Nonverbal communication and gestural reasoning in preschoolers
• Intervention design for developmental disorders (e.g., Down syndrome)
• Cross-linguistic cognitive development

Article Trends: Her work spans developmental psychology, language intervention, and inclusive education, with recent studies on inferential reasoning (2025), metatalk in Turkish/English speakers (2024), and PACT-DS feasibility (2023).

Professional Memberships:

• Down Syndrome Clinical Excellence Network
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Fellow of Higher Education (AdvanceHE)

Teaching Roles:

• MEd Psychology of Education (Unit Lead: EDUC60721, 2024-2025)
• Learning and Individual Differences (EDUC60732)
• Social Psychology in Classroom and Communities