معرفی
Dr. Sharon Elley serves as Lecturer in Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds' School of Sociology and Social Policy within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her academic work bridges professional youth service experience with sociological research on intersecting inequalities across the life course, particularly focusing on education, social class, gender, sexuality, and neurodiversity.
Her educational qualifications include:
- PhD (University of Leeds, ESRC 1+3 funded)
- MA in Social Research Methods
- PGCE
- BA in Applied Social Sciences
Elley's research centers on widening participation for marginalized groups through lived experience methodologies. She investigates life-course transitions from childhood through adulthood, emphasizing how social class intersects with gender, disability, and sexuality in educational and relational contexts. Her work combines critical sociology with action-oriented research to address systemic inequalities.
Recent publications reveal a strong trajectory in gender diversity studies (particularly youth perspectives), autism and neurodiversity in educational and employment contexts, and class-based educational inequalities. These works increasingly employ creative methodologies including graphic novels and participatory approaches to amplify marginalized voices.
Her scientific recognition includes:
- Shortlisted for BSA Philip Abrams Memorial Prize (2014) for her book Understanding Sex Education, Youth and Class
- Winner of the SRO SAGE Prize for Innovation and Excellence (2022) for her article on institutional gatekeepers in gender research
Elley actively supervises four postgraduate researchers while securing competitive funding including ESRC support for Living Gender in Diverse Times (2018-2021) and DRILL funding for A Society Fit for Autistics (2017-2019). She collaborates extensively with third-sector organizations like Living Autism York and maintains strong practice-research partnerships.
As Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Families, the Life Course and Generations (FLaG), she leads interdisciplinary work examining family dynamics, generational change, and life course transitions through intersectional frameworks.
