Laura Mazzoli Smith

Dr. Laura Mazzoli Smith is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Durham University and a Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing. She co-leads the Narrative Practices Lab within the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities. Her research focuses on educational identities, health and well-being, and narrative methodologies, bridging education and public health. She holds a PhD from the University of Warwick and has held roles at Newcastle University and the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. Her work emphasizes anti-reductionist approaches, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and inclusive practices.

Her research interests include narrative pedagogy, life history methods, and the intersections of education, health, and well-being. Notable projects include the Caring Stories platform for healthcare practitioners and the Quantum Odyssey project. She has secured funding from ESRC, EPSRC, and NIHR, among others. Her publications span books, chapters, and articles addressing equity in education, digital storytelling, and mental health in academia.

Dr. Mazzoli Smith supervises doctoral students exploring topics like narrative inquiry, educational fairness, and well-being in higher education. She is involved in initiatives like Digital Storytelling Durham and contributes to policy-oriented research, including poverty-proofing healthcare access and student belonging in universities.