Dr. Nicole Brown is an esteemed social scientist and leading authority in social research methodology with dual Austrian and British citizenship. She currently serves as a faculty member at the UCL Institute of Education where she has established herself as an innovative voice in research methodology and disability studies. Nicole Brown, an Austrian and British writer and academic at University College London, was born in 1976. Dr. Brown brings a unique international perspective to her work on the social dimensions of academic life through her interdisciplinary background bridging social sciences, education, and creative practice. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to developing pragmatic research approaches that address complex social phenomena while advancing inclusive academic practices.
Dr. Brown's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed approaches to social inquiry through her development of creative data collection techniques incorporating visual, sensory and embodied elements. Her influential work on ableism in academia, including the edited volume 'Lived Experiences of Ableism in Academia,' has catalyzed important institutional conversations about inclusivity in higher education worldwide. The seminal 2019 paper 'Identity boxes: using materials and metaphors to elicit experiences' has become a cornerstone in methodological discussions with over 50 citations, demonstrating her innovative approach to understanding complex social phenomena. Her research extends beyond theoretical contributions to practical applications, as evidenced by her work using LEGO® to explore emotion work in doctoral education, which has been widely adopted by institutions seeking to enhance doctoral student wellbeing.
Beyond her scholarly contributions, Dr. Brown has been instrumental in developing institutional approaches to accessibility and inclusivity, serving as a key member of UCL's Eugenics working group and contributing to guidance on ethical research practices. Her recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2022 and her UCL Education Award in 2023 underscore her significant impact on both research methodology and educational practice. Currently leading projects on culturally sensitive approaches to teaching historical links to eugenics and international perspectives on creativity in education, she continues to shape the future of socially engaged research. Dr. Brown's ongoing work promises to further advance the integration of creative methodologies with rigorous social inquiry, ensuring that research practices remain responsive to the diverse experiences of participants and researchers alike.
