Leo Woodend

I am a Sociology and Social Policy PhD student at the University of Leeds, researching disability and welfare policy in the UK.

I am interested in how discourses surrounding benefits and disability have developed and changed since the 2000s, particularly narratives relating to 'scroungers' or 'benefits cheats'.

I have a BSc in Politics and International Relations (Hons) from the University of Bath, and an MSc in Social Science Research Methods (Politics) from Cardiff University. I am a PGR representative for the Centre for Disability Studies in Leeds, and a PGR representative for the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership.