Headshot of Janet Hoskin stood against a neutral background

Dr Janet Hoskin

Associate Professor in Education

Special Educational Needs and Disability; Specific Learning Difficulties

Department of Education , School of Childhood and Social Care

My research focuses on disability, difference and Special Educational Needs. I work in both the School of Childhood and Social Care as well as the Rix Inclusive Research Institute. I am particularly interested in chronic conditions such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and much of my research has looked at the educational, psycho-social and social care experiences of young people with DMD. 

I work with the Rix Inclusive Research Team alongside co-researchers with learning disabilities on projects that support self-advocacy and social justice for people with learning disabilities.

Qualifications

  • 2013: PhD: Seeing Beyond the Wheelchair in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Centre for Child Research University of Swansea)
  • 2024: MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching (University of East London)
  • 2005: Post Graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties (Hornsby International Dyslexia Institute)
  • 2002: MA Teaching and Practice of Creative Writing (Cardiff University)
  • 1994: PGCE Secondary History (Nottingham University)
  • 1990: BA Renaissance and Modern History (University of Warwick)

Areas Of Interest

  • Disability and Chronic Illness
  • Critical Disability Studies
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Sexual Health and Disability
  • Outdoor spaces
  • Positive Psychology and Strengths-based Approaches
Headshot of Janet Hoskin stood against a neutral background

OVERVIEW

Over the past sixteen years I have been privileged to work with many disabled young people, mostly with the genetic condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD),  and their families. Most of this work has highlighted and explored the educational and psycho-social aspects of this condition rather than the medical. This includes, among other things, working on a project with young people, and their schools to improve their reading skills, as well as leading a project on supporting Transition to Adulthood for young people with DMD and their families. 

I am currently working on a digital self-advocacy project enabling the use of digital tools for children and adults with DMD. I have run joint projects and continue to work closely with the charity Pathfinders Neuro-muscular Alliance which is run by people with all neuro-muscular conditions. I also work with the national charity Duchenne UK. More recently I have become a member of the Rix Inclusive Research team at UEL and I work on disability -based research projects with co-researchers with learning disabilities.  

RESEARCH AND IMPACT

The Community Interest Company Decipha CIC which I set up in 2008 continues to support learning and literacy needs in schools for children with DMD. 

I am the chair of the Education working group for the DMD Care UK project which is developing standards of care for the UK. 

Research Centres and groups:

TEACHING

BA (Hons) Special Education

Our comprehensive bachelor’s degree in special education prepares you for rewarding careers in special education. Join us to make a difference in special needs education.

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MA Special Educational Needs

This course will help you understand a range of issues such as autism, dyslexia, social and emotional mental health issues, and inclusion.

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EdD Professional Doctorate in Education

Gain the opportunity and the skills with this EdD to conduct robust and innovative research that will improve the policy, practice and quality of education.

Apply for Professional Doctorate in Education

MODULES

  • ED5001 Specific Learning Difficulties (Module Leader)
  • ET7738 Exploring Literacy Difficulties and Dyslexia (Module Leader)
  • ET8908 Research Methods (Module Leader)

DOCTORAL TEACHING AND EXPERIENCE

Current Doctoral Students:

  • Parents, Power and Partnership: A Qualitative Study of Family Experiences of the Education, Health and Care Plan Process PhD (Director of Studies)
  • The Perspective of Parents, Pupils, Teachers and Teaching Assistants on the Education of Autistic Pupils in Mainstream Secondary Schools and Special Units. PhD (Director of Studies)
  • What are Greek Cypriot primary and secondary state school teachers’ perceptions of barriers for inclusive education of autistic children? PhD (Director of Studies)
  • Towards the improvement of the inclusion of secondary school students with special educational needs/disabilities (SEN/D) in Nigeria: A case study of an inclusive public and private secondary school in Lagos State. PhD (Second Supervisor)
  • A ‘Good life’ for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) in English residential settings Diploma in Social Work (Director of Studies)
  • How does the experience of exclusion affect engagement, learning, achievement, and progression amongst learners who present with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in the UK? A London Study Doctorate in Education (Director of Studies)
  • Curriculum and Complexity - An exploration of Curriculum Personalisation and Teachers perspectives on developing personalisation for Complex Learners Doctorate in Education (Second Supervisor)

Doctoral Completions:

  • Pupil Premium for Looked After Children: its allocation, use and impact on educational outcomes for children aged 5-12  PhD (Second Supervisor) 2021
  • Developing an Understanding of the Encounters between Local Authority Social Workers in England and Women who have been Subjected to Domestic Abuse   PhD (Second Supervisor) 2023
  • Inclusion and Autism in primary education - An exploratory intervention on the Preparation of beginner teachers in England. Doctorate in Education (Director of Studies) 2023

Doctoral Examinations:

  • Leaping the hurdles: Using an ecological approach to develop physical education access for autistic children; an action research study. Doctorate in Education 2020
  • The Contribution of Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SAR)s in the Social Construction of Social Work in England. Doctorate in Social Work 2024
  • ‘Do You Really Want to Be a Social Worker’? ‘A phenomenological exploration of the experiences of dyslexic social work students on practice placements. Doctorate in Social Work 2024

EXTERNAL ROLES

  • Convenor for Inclusive Education Special Interest Group British Educational Research Association (BERA)
  • Chair of Educational Working Group for Care DMD UK
  • Member of Parent Advisory Group for Duchenne UK
  • Member of the Scientific Board Member for Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences

 

I am a reviewer for the following peer-reviewed journals: 

  • British Education Research Journal (BERJ)
  • Frontiers in Education
  • Frontiers in Psychology
  • Journal of Childhood, Education and Society
  • Journal of Applied Research into Intellectual Disabilities
  • Journal of Early Childhood, Education and Society Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 
  • Journal of Long Term Conditions
  • Pedagogy Culture and Society
  • Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Publications

The last four years of publications can be viewed below. 

Full publications list

Visit the research repository to view a full list of publications

Research repository