Dr Barbara Sandland PhD MA NASENCO PGCE BA

Dr Barbara Sandland

School of Education
Research Fellow

Contact details

Email
b.sandland@bham.ac.uk
View my research portal

Barbara is a Research Fellow within the Autism Centre for Education and Research, having also completed her Masters and PhD at the University of Birmingham. Prior to entering academia, Barbara was a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator within mainstream secondary schools.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy: 2018-2021
  • Master Of Social Science, Autism (Children): 2016-2017
  • National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinators: 2012-2013
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education: Secondary History and Special Needs: 2006-2007
  • Bachelor of Arts: Sociology and Politics: 2001-2005

Biography

Barbara brings a distinctive multidimensional approach to her research by including her unique insights of being neurodivergent, and a parent of neurodivergent young people, to her professional and academic expertise. Prior to returning to higher education, Barbara was a qualified secondary school teacher and worked for many years as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. She continues to use this experience to deliver teaching training at a school and county level. As well as mentoring neurodivergent undergraduate students throughout their studies.

Barbara's research favours participatory methodologies, which prioritises the inclusion of lived neurodivergent experiences, especially within education and employment.

Research

Current Projects:Use of robot assisted interventions for autistic children within the early years

Developing training to raise awareness and understanding of reasonable adjustment plans (RAPs) for students and staff in Higher Education

Developing a ‘Neurodivergence in Higher Education’ resource to compile training materials for anyone working or learning in higher education

Using universal design to support the neurodivergent PGR throughout the PhD journey

Exploring neurodivergent experiences of rejection sensitivity in adulthood.

Publications

Recent publications

Article

Sandland, B 2025, 'Neurodivergent experiences of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria expose the environmental factors too often overlooked', Neurodiversity, vol. 3, 27546330251394516. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251394516

MacLeod, A, Sandland, B, Hall, N & chown, N 2023, 'Accommodation through personalisation: ensuring the autistic student has an equal opportunity for success in the PhD viva voce', Journal of Further and Higher Education, vol. 47, no. 10, pp. 1404-1419. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2250740

Sandland, B, MacLeod, A & Hall, N 2023, 'Neurodiverse students within higher education: initial thoughts from a collaborative project', Good Autism Practice, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 13-22. <https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bild/gap/2023/00000024/00000002/art00004#>

Sandland, B, MacLeod, A & Hall, N 2023, 'Neurodiverse students within higher education - initial thoughts from a collaborative project', Education in Practice, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 26-37. <https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/hefi/documents/public/journal/v4-i1/neurodiverse-students-within-he.pdf>

Sandland, B 2023, 'The Post-Doctoral Black Hole. The importance of transitioning out support for autistic students', Journal of Inclusive Practice in Further and Higher Education (JIPFHE), vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 102-114. <https://nadp-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/5-Sandland.docx>

Sandland, B 2018, 'Understanding the 'mask' in autism: Girl's perspectives and the impact of wearing it.', Good Autism Practice, vol. 19, no. 1, 1, pp. 5-13.

Book/Film/Article review

Sandland, B 2023, 'Learning from autistic teachers: how to be a neurodiversity-inclusive school: edited by Rebecca Wood, Francesca Happé, Laura Crane, Alan Morrison, Ruth Moyse, 2022, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 208pp., Paperback, £22.99, ISBN: 9781839971266.', Educational Review, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 433-434. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2023.2189846

Other

Sandland, B, MacLeod, A & Hall, N 2025, 'Using ‘Universal Design for Learning’ (UDL) Principles to Embed Inclusive Practice in Academic Support for Neurodivergent Postgraduate Researchers', Autism Europe International Congress, Ireland, 11/09/25 - 13/09/25 pp. 63-63. <https://autismcongress2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AEC2025-Book-of-Abstracts-23.09.25-1.pdf>

Other contribution

Sandland, B 2022, Are we speaking the same language?. Employment Autism. <https://employmentautism.org.uk/are-we-speaking-the-same-language/#:~:text=While%20there%20are%20many%20similarities,job%20I%20was%20applying%20for.>

Poster

MacLeod, A & Sandland, B 2025, '“my voice has been heard” A partnership of learning with disabled students in Higher Education.', 14th Autism Europe International Congress 2025, Dublin, Ireland, 11/09/25 - 14/09/25.

View all publications in research portal