Rachel Harrison

Rachel Harrison is a Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the University of Winchester, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. She holds a PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from the University of Kent, researching the impacts of austerity on people with intellectual disabilities. Her work emphasizes social justice, disability advocacy, and inclusive education pathways. She has led initiatives such as the BSc (Hons) Health, Community and Social Care Studies and City and Guilds courses, focusing on quality improvement in social care and education. Rachel is a Top Cited Author for Wiley Journals and has contributed to reports for organizations like Mencap and Blue Apple Theatre. Her research spans policy analysis, wellbeing measurement, and outdoor education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Grants include studies on activity needs for people with intellectual disabilities and the value of outdoor education for excluded youth. She collaborates with the Autism Research Network and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Research Interests: Austerity policy impacts, social networks, disability inclusion, wellbeing metrics, and inclusive education.

Awards & Recognition: Top Cited Author (Wiley), HEA Fellowship, NIHR SSCR-funded research.