Dr Kim Collett

Professional Biography

Kim is a Staff Tutor in the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport and an Associate Lecturer in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language. As a Staff Tutor she supports Associate Lecturers and contributes to module delivery across course pathways. Alongside her Staff Tutor role, Kim continues to teach as an Associate Lecturer with her work being informed by professional experience in education, disability services and the voluntary sector.

Her work is driven by a commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice. As a neurodivergent and disabled academic, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight into her work, while recognising that identities and experiences are shaped by multiple intersecting factors. She is particularly interested in creating learning environments in which all students can participate, belong and succeed.

Prior to joining higher education in 2012, Kim led disability support services and managed projects that supported neurodivergent and disabled people and their families. She had also worked extensively with organisations to promote inclusive practices through training, awareness raising, and advocacy.

Research Interests

Kim’s research focuses on inclusion and belonging in and out of education with a particular interest in the experiences of children and young people, and other groups often marginalised.

Her doctoral research focused on experiences of inclusion in the classroom and examined how the concept of inclusion can be better understood. She is particularly interested in participatory and creative research methodologies that enable individuals to share their experiences in ways that are inclusive, accessible and meaningful.

Her research interests include:

• Equity, diversity and inclusion in education
• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
•  Neurodiversity
• Representation in research

Teaching interests

Kim’s teaching philosophy centres on creating inclusive and engaging learning environments that support students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. She is particularity interested in supporting inclusive teaching practices and fostering communities of learning.

Staff Tutor:

• E104 Introduction to Childhood Studies and Child Psychology
• E129 Working Effectively in Sport and Exercise
• E232 Exploring Childhood and Youth

Associate Lecturer:

• E309 Comparative and International Studies in Primary Education
• E320 Contemporary Research with Children and Young People
• KE322 Young Lives, Parenting and Families

Previous modules:

• DD105 Introduction to Criminology 
• DD212 Understanding Criminology
• EK313 Issues in Research with Children and Young People

Impact and Engagement

Kim is an active advocate for inclusive practice contributing to initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion including being an EDI Champion, working on projects to increase representation and student mattering, and contributing to The Open University’s Women’s History Month.

She is also the Associate Lecturer Representative for Praxis supporting engagement between Associate Lecturers and the Faculty’s scholarship work, and championing the valuable contributions of Associate Lecturers to teaching, scholarship and academic development.

Qualifications and Affiliations

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• PhD Inclusive Education
• MA Educational Research
• PGCE (post 16)
• MSc Disability Studies
• BA(Hons) Social Science
• FdSc Community Studies