معرفی
Professor Sara Ryan is a distinguished academic specializing in social care at Manchester Metropolitan University. With a focus on learning disabilities, autism, and patient safety, she leads multiple NIHR-funded research projects and serves as a Professor of Social Care. Her work bridges academia and practical application, emphasizing scholar activism and research that makes a tangible difference in people's lives.
Education:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Oxford (2012)
- PhD, Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick (2006)
- Sociology and Anthropology BSc Hons (First Class), Oxford Brookes University (2001)
Professor Ryan's research is underpinned by scholar activism and a commitment to impactful research. Her primary interests include learning disability, autism, experiences of exclusion, and regulatory processes. She works collaboratively with people with learning disabilities, self-advocates, autistic individuals, family carers, and various professionals to push boundaries in qualitative research. Professor Ryan has secured nearly £4m in NIHR funding as Principal Investigator in the last three years and has been involved in 21 successful research grants since 2015, demonstrating her leadership in translating research into practical applications for social care improvement.
Scientific Awards:
- Honorary Doctorate, Oxford Brookes University (2019)
- Liberty 'Close to Home' Human Rights Award (2016)
- Phil Strong Memorial Prize, British Sociological Association (2004)
Professor Ryan actively supervises PhD students working on topics related to learning disability, autism, and patient safety. Her current supervisees include Michele Sokol, Amelia Talbot, Sara Rotenberg, Zoe Cox, and Rob Alcock. As a prolific researcher, she has secured significant funding from the NIHR, ESRC, Department of Health, and other organizations. Recent projects include 'Tired of spinning plates' exploring mental health experiences of carers of adults with learning disabilities (£365,165), 'Witnessing harm, holding to account' on Fitness to Practise hearings (£737,000), and 'Supporting family and professional carers' for older learning disabled people (£896,911). Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing critical issues in social care through rigorous, co-produced research.
Professor Ryan leads the Learning Disabilities and Autism Research Cluster, which brings together academics, practitioners, and people with lived experience to address pressing issues in learning disability and autism research. Her work emphasizes collaborative approaches that challenge traditional research hierarchies and prioritize the voices of marginalized communities.
