Paty Paliokosta

I am an Associate Professor in Inclusive Education and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with over 20 years’ experience as an educator, researcher, and strategic leader. My work is grounded in a strong commitment to social justice and centres on advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in educational practice and policy.

I currently lead several projects on neuroinclusivity in higher education, schools, and community settings, while also supervising masters and doctoral research in related fields. I provide equality, diversity and inclusion expertise in Initial Teacher Education (undergraduate and postgraduate) and previously led the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (PgCert). My teaching and research are consistently informed by civic engagement, co-production, and inclusive pedagogies designed to support underrepresented learners.

In my previous role as Personal Tutor Scheme Lead for the Kingston and St George’s Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, I supported colleagues in enhancing student participation, achievement, and well-being. I have also played a key role in institutional self-assessment and action planning, with a particular focus on improving the experiences and outcomes of diverse students and staff through an intersectional lens.

My earlier professional roles as an Inclusion Manager and SEN/D education consultant at school and local authority level gave me extensive experience in leading cross-disciplinary projects, reducing exclusions, embedding evidence-based interventions, and guiding schools in the development of inclusive practice. These experiences continue to inform my academic leadership and collaborative projects.

My PhD research, which examined diverse learners’ interpretations of inclusive policies, shaped my subsequent higher education practice, following my undergraduate studies of English and Linguistics. At Kingston University, I have designed innovative strategies to enable the success of underrepresented groups, including work-based learners, and have led award-winning practice in Initial Teacher Education.