Nikita Hayden
Background
I am currently undertaking a PhD in Psychology and Education at the University of Warwick. My research is based at the Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research. I have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Science Research (Distinction) with the University of Warwick's ESRC-Doctoral Training Centre as well as a Postgraduate Award in Mixed Methods research with the University of Warwick's Medical School (grade pending). Prior to this, I studied an MSc at Birkbeck’s Department for Psychosocial Studies in Education, Power and Social Change (distinction) and have an LLB Law degree from the University of Reading. I have previously worked for a number of years as a widening participation practitioner and hold a professional certification in PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner.
PhD Research
My PhD project explores the educational and psychological outcomes of children that have a brother or sister with an intellectual disability or autism as well as their relationships with one another. My research employs a mixed methods approach and is working towards the following five studies:
- A secondary analysis of a nationally representative data set exploring the psychological and behavioural outcomes of children with a brother or sister with an intellectual disability.
- An evaluation of a school-based intervention developed by the UK charity Sibs.
- A qualitative study exploring sibling relationships.
- An exploration of sibling relationships using a large UK data set.
- A longitudinal analysis.
This PhD research is fully funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). My project receives additional funding from the UK charity Sibs.
Publications
- Hayden, N. K., Hastings, R. P., Totsika, V., & Langley, E. (2019). A Population-Based Study of the Behavioral and Emotional Adjustment of Older Siblings of Children with and without Intellectual Disability. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 47, 8: 1409-1419.
- Tharian, P.R., Henderson, S., Wathanasin, N., Hayden, N., Chester, V., and Tromans, S. (2019). Characters with autism spectrum disorder in fiction: where are the women and girls? Advances in Autism. 5, 1: 50-63.
- Cullen, S. M., Cullen, M.-A, Dytham, S., & Hayden, N. (2018). 'Research to understand successful approaches to supporting the most academically able disadvantaged pupils'. Department for Education. November 2018. Accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approaches-to-supporting-disadvantaged-pupils.
- Michael-Fox, B. & Hayden, N. (2018). Transforming the Community, Transforming the Self: Young People, Social Action and Community Leadership. The Sheffield Student Journal for Sociology. Communities: Issue 2:132-158.
Other research projects and roles
- Organiser and facilitator of Research Group Meetings, CEDAR, University of Warwick, for the 2019-2020 academic year.
- Student rep for Reserach Group Meetings, CEDAR, University of Warwick, 2017-2019.
- Research Assistant on a SEND Evidence Review, CEDAR, University of Warwick, 2019.
- Set up a Siblings Research Advisory Group collaboratively with PhD students based at UCL: Mhairi McKenzie & Georgia Pavlopoulou, UCL & University of Warwick, 2018-present.
- Assisted and co-author on a Department for Education project researching ways to support children that are academically able and from disadvantaged backgrounds, CEDAR, University of Warwick, 2018. DfE report entitled: 'Research to understand successful approaches to supporting the most academically able disadvantaged pupils'.
- Pre-screening interviewer for a randomised control trial, CEDAR, University of Warwick, 2018.
- Focus group facilitator, Engage Lime and Policyworks Associates, 2017.
- Resident Tutor in Rootes residences, Residential Life Team, University of Warwick, 2017-present.
- External Access Course Moderator, AIM Awards, 2016-2018.
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Peer reviewed for Research in Developmental Disabilities; Advances in Autism; Nursing & Health Sciences; Tizard Learning Disability Review.
Conference presentations
- Hayden, N., Hastings. R., & Bailey, T. (July 2019). Associations between sibling behaviours and relationships where one has an intellectual disability (Format: oral presentation). IASSIDD World Congress, Glasgow.
- Hayden, N., McCaffrey, M., Fraser-Lim, C., & Hastings, R. (December 2018). Supporting siblings of children with SEND: an evaluation of Sibs Talk, a one-to-one intervention delivered by staff in mainstream schools (Format: poster presentation). Seattle Club, Shrewsbury.
- Hayden, N., McKenzie, M., & Pavlopoulou, G. (November 2018). Invited talk: The Sibling Research Advisory Group: Lessons learnt from engaging an under-represented and supported group (Format: oral presentation). Research Engagement Conference, UCL.
- Hayden, N., Hastings, R., Totsika, V., & Langley, E. (April, 2018). The Psychological Well-Being of Children Who Have a Brother or Sister with Intellectual Disability: A Secondary Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study (Format: oral presentation). Gatlinburg Conference, San Diego.
- Hayden, N., Hastings, R., Totsika, V., & Langley, E. (December 2017). The Psychological Well-Being of Children Who Have a Brother or Sister with Intellectual Disability: A Secondary Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study (Format: oral presentation). Seattle Club Conference, University of Durham.
- Michael, B., & Hayden, N. (July 2016). Presentation entitled: Access to HE: How can we best support Access learners throughout the student lifecycle? (Format: oral presentation). AIM Awards conference, Loughborough University.
- Michael, B., & Hayden, N. (January 2016). Presentation entitled: It was like a weird awakening': Young People’s Sense of Community, Agency and Belonging in Bedford (Format: oral presentation). MeCCSA, Canterbury Christ Church University.
Teaching
I have been awarded Associate Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy and have taught the following:
2019/20 academic year:
- Lecturer for ‘Learning, Development and Special Educational Needs’ (CE1D4; L4)
2018/19 academic year:
- Module convenor and lecturer for ‘Researching Qualitatively in the Social Sciences’ (CE312; L6)
- Lecturer and seminar tutor for ‘Widening Participation in Higher Education’ (CE335; L5 & L6).
- Dissertation supervisor (CE302; L6).
- Lecturer on 'Dissertation' module (CE302; L6).
- Guest lecture for Community Engagement: Theory into Practice, IATL (IL017, L5 & L6).
- Keynote speaker: Early Childhood Foundation Degree (L4 & L5).
2017/18 academic year:
- Module convenor for ‘Researching Qualitatively in the Social Sciences’ (CE312; L6)
- Lecturer and seminar tutor for ‘Widening Participation in Higher Education’ (CE335; L5 & L6)
- Dissertation supervisor for CLL students (CE302; L6)
- Guest lectures for CES’s Research Methods module (L5)
- Guest lecture on 'Dissertation' module (CE302; L6)
2016-17 academic year:
- Guest lecture on 'Dissertation' module (CE302; L6)

Nikita Hayden
n.hayden@warwick.ac.uk
Room WE135, Westwood
PhD research funded by: