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Melissa Kirby

@drmkirby.bsky.social
183 followers 87 following 10 posts

Researcher @ University of Leeds & University of Warwick | Participatory research with people with learning disabilities/autistic people | arts-based and creative methods | singer and choir facilitator

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Melissa Kirby @drmkirby.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Really pleased to be able to share our new paper on accessible people 🎉 Give it a read here - doi.org/10.1111/bld.... With thanks to my collaborators: @karenburland.bsky.social, @freyabailes.bsky.social, @purplepatcharts.bsky.social and the Purple Research Group 💜
doi.org
What Makes a Person Accessible? Exploring the Characteristics of ‘Accessible People’ From the Perspective of Adults With Learning Disabilities
Background Previous research has investigated the factors that promote or reduce accessibility for people with learning disabilities. However, the role of people in facilitating accessible spaces, e...
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Community Living Magazine @communitylivingmagazine.com · 15/06/2025
Presenting research in the form of a comic may seem unorthodox but it has proved to be an excellent way to display findings and send a message about who research is for. @drmkirby.bsky.social @purplepatcharts.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social communitylivingmagazine.com/comic-tale-o...
communitylivingmagazine.com
Comic tale of research together
Presenting research in the form of a comic may seem unorthodox but it has proved to be an excellent way to display findings and send a message about who research is for, says Melissa Kirby
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Melissa Kirby @drmkirby.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
The Purple Patch comic on tour in Helsinki! Very grateful to have had the opportunity to present at #NNDR2025 last week 🇫🇮 #participatoryresearch #learningdisability #creativemethods
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Purple Patch Arts @purplepatcharts.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Hello Bluesky! We’re Purple Patch Arts. We use our Purple Patch Approach to support learning-disabled people to thrive and to be heard. 💜
Image of a purple participant holding flowers. The bottom text says 'What We Do'White text with a purple background it says "We use our Purple Patch Approach to support learning-disabled people to thrive and to be heard." With an image of purple participants.
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Melissa Kirby @drmkirby.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Honoured to have been able to share a part of my PhD at the #SEMPRE conference today, and to be a Hickman Award recipient. Thank you to everyone involved, particularly my supervisors @freyabailes.bsky.social @karenburland.bsky.social and the wonderful @purplepatcharts.bsky.social 💜
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Freya Bailes @freyabailes.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
@drmkirby.bsky.social is doing @musicpsychleeds.bsky.social proud at #SEMPRE conference with her Hickman Award talk on inclusive arts-based learning experiences for adults with learning abilities.
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Dr Jess Mannion @drjessmannion.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Had such an enjoyable collaborative writing retreat this morning @amymrussell.bsky.social @drmkirby.bsky.social #research
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Melissa Kirby @drmkirby.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Yesterday was my #PhD anniversary 🎉 Hard to believe a year has passed since my wonderful viva experience with @suecaton.bsky.social and Prof Roger Slee. I will never forget the feeling of knowing I was #PhDone (1/2)
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Amy M. Russell @amymrussell.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Congratulations to @MelissaKirby for being nominated for the University of Leeds 2024 Research Impact and Engagement Awards for her work with @purplepatcharts "Research impact is often hard-won. It takes time, effort, patience and researchers who are willing to go the extra mile." VC Shearer West
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