about me
SEND Specialist/Academic/Researcher
I am a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities specialist with SEND classroom experience of more than 17 years (mild and complex SEND). I am an associate lecturer in Education, Inclusion and SEND at the University of Derby. Between 2022 and 2024 I was the external evaluator for the 'Equally Safe' project funded by the Department of Education. This project focused on inclusion and equality in education concerning identity-based bullying in around 240 (primary and secondary) schools in England. I am a member of the PDA (Society) Research Network. neurodiversity, disability, LGBT+ inclusion with pupils with SEND and employment opportunities for young people with SEND.
I am a full-time doctoral student (PhD candidate). I am researching the educational provision made for students with special educational needs or disabilities who identify as LGBTQ+. Taking an intersectional approach, I explore this issue from the perspective of schoolteachers, and students themselves. I have expertise in qualitative methodologies including interviewing and ethnography. I have had my work published in international, peer-reviewed journals concerning topics, such as neurodiversity, disability, LGBT+ inclusion with pupils with SEND and employment opportunities for young people with SEND. I have also presented my research findings at international academic conferences as well as conferences for educational professionals. I am an experienced educator myself and, in addition to my teaching in special schools, I have also taught at undergraduate and master’s level at both Derby University and Goldsmiths.
I offer SEND-related consultation and training to schools and other types of organisations/individuals with an interest in SEND and/or LGBT+ inclusion for children and young people with SEND. I work with schools, charities and anyone supporting young people with SEND and young people with SEND with LGBT+ identities. Please, see my testimonials to get a better understanding of the work I do.
Links to my academic and social media profiles:
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Klaudia-Matasovska
Goldsmiths PhD Profile: https://www.gold.ac.uk/educational-studies/staff/-phd-students/
Twitter: @Klaudinka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klaudia-matasovska-1549549b/