NAP Collaborators and Members

Dr Samantha FlynnLink opens in a new window

Dr Samantha Flynn, in the School of Education, Learning and Communication Sciences (SELCS), is a neurodivergent (AuDHD) parent of an autistic child, and has an extensive family history of both autism and ADHD. Her combined research and personal experience contextualise her work on neurodivergence and stakeholder engagement, strengthening co-production and grounding her research. Samantha’s research experience has primarily pertained to mental health, parenting, intervention development and evaluation, and neurodivergent populations. She is experienced in co-production and regularly works with charity (e.g., Cerebra) and NHS partners (e.g., Great Ormond Street Hospital).

Dr Emma LangleyLink opens in a new window

Dr Emma Langley is an interdisciplinary academic with a background in education, psychology, and early childhood studies. Her research seeks to understand and reduce inequality for families, particularly those raising a disabled person. Her current focus is on the experiences of fathers of disabled children and more broadly the transition to fatherhood for all men. While trained in mixed methodologies, her more recent work takes a qualitative approach and often involves collaboration with charities, families, and professionals to ensure her research has a positive and tangible impact on practice.

Dr Nicky Thomas

Dr Nicky Thomas is a Research Fellow at Warwick Medical SchoolLink opens in a new window, specialising in parent carer mental health, neurodevelopmental and rare genetic disorders, and digital health interventions. Her work employs mixed-methods approaches to explore lived experiences and improve healthcare services for families with complex needs. Nicky’s research interests include parent carer mental health and wellbeing; neurodevelopmental and rare genetic disorders; and healthcare services and digital health. Her current project is an investigation of behaviours that challenge in children with intellectual disability and complex needs.

Dr Michael Watson

Dr Michael C. Watson, BSc (Hons), PGCE, MA(Ed), MPH, PhD, MIHPE, is a Trustee of IHPE. Michael is an independent public health consultant who taught and researched at the University of Nottingham for 19 years. He has held various director positions over the years, including a Director of Health Promotion for different NHS health authorities; managing a department, initiating and leading multi-agency groups, and advising on research and evaluation. Michael is also a trustee at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) andwas an adviser for the WHO. Michael has been involved in research in different countries, including England, Iran, Malawi, Palestine, and Uganda. He is a regular contributor to debates in the British Medical Journal.

The Institute of Health Promotion and Education (IHPE)Link opens in a new window is a recognised professional association offering a range of membership options to those engaged in the practice of health promotion and education. The purpose of IHPE is to ensure that peoples’ health will be protected and improved and that inequalities in health between individuals, groups, and communities will be significantly reduced.

Dr Karen Neil

Dr Karen E. Neil, BPharm (Hons), PhD, MRPharmS, MIHPE, is a Specialist Pharmacist, Public Health Consultant and a member of IHPE. She also manages Mindful MedicineLink opens in a new window which provides a range of services, including one-to-one and group mindfulness courses, health promotion workshops and coaching, mindfulness teacher mentoring, and professional development.Her approach is rooted in inclusive, person-centred practice.

Karen advocates for children and young people, especially neurodivergent individuals aged 18-25 and young carers. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience in mental health and neurodivergence, she aims to positively influence local and national policy. Karen has over 30 years of experience across mental health, pharmacy, health promotion, and wellbeing. Her work blends clinical expertise with a holistic, evidence-based approach, empowering individuals and communities to take ownership of their health. Karen supports the work of IHPE, co-authoring position statements and rapid responses to the British Medical Journal – advocating for positive health promotion, including statements on the arts, autism, safe use of medicines, young carers, and ethics in health promotion.

Partners in Mind

is an independent volunteer co-production group specialising in mental health and social care. Formed in April 2024, the group aims to support the mental health system across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, as part of the Integrated Care System (ICS) Mental Health Programme strategy (for details see bookletLink opens in a new window).

Cerebra NetworkLink opens in a new window

is a research network funded by Cerebra that promotes research in neurodiversity.

Nottingham Neurodiversity NetworkLink opens in a new window

is a network of experts in healthcare, service design/delivery, research and lived experience to address challenges, share best practice and find potential solutions to support people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Contact us

If you would like to become a network member or have any questions, please contact Dr Dimitra Hartas at d.hartas@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window or Dr Hayley Crawford at Hayley.Crawford@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window