Critical Disability Studies
Critical Disability Studies uses intersectional, justice-oriented frameworks to challenge disablism and ableism. Through co-produced and participatory research, we seek to reimagine disability as a transformative force, promoting equity and inclusion across all areas of society.
About our work
Our research interests and objectives are as follows:
- A commitment to intersectional models of disability;
- Desiring disability as the driving force of inquiry and as an opportunity to rethink what it means to be human;
- Demonstrating a commitment to understanding and challenging disablism (the exclusion of people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments) and ableism (the ideological preference for able-bodied and mindedness);
- Positing disability as a key framing for new kinds of pedagogy, inclusive research methodologies, politics and practice;
- Challenging perceptions of disability within diverse disciplines of education, technology, health and social care arenas and the professionals and researchers within;
- Ensuring that any research we do is carried out in partnership with disabled people and/or their representative organisations. Together, we recognise disabled people as experts, collaborators, artists, researchers and theorists in their own right. Our methods should be inclusive and accessible.
- Working on all of the above in both research projects and the broader university environment to ensure we act as an inclusive community.
Our activities
Our work builds upon a legacy left by Sheffield Academics - in the School of Education - such as Len Barton, Felicity Armstrong, Claire Tregaskis and Paul Ramcharan whose commitment to inclusive education and disability studies informed some of the foundational work in disability studies in our university. Over the last decade our community has grown with doctoral students, early, mid and late career academics developing a distinct identity in relation to disability research, theory and analysis.
Critical disability studies is a dynamic, self-critical field that is responsive to the challenges of contemporary times. Our cluster activities seek to recognise and embody this.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Our Disability Dialogues Blog Post;
- Our Disability Dialogues Lounge;
- Funding Information Sessions for Disability and Health Related Research, with dedicated support for postgraduate and early career researchers;
- Promotion of Live Projects Activities and Dissemination in Collaboration with our Disabled People's Organisations.
- Creating spaces for collaboration, community and belonging through formal and informal seminars, events and socials.
Get involved with our work
The Critical Disability Studies cluster is led by Dr Lauren White. If you are a member of the School of Education and wish to join the cluster, or you work in a related field and wish to collaborate, please get in touch with l.e.white@sheffield.ac.uk.
