James Whitehurst

Biography

In 2020 I graduated with a First Class Honours in Human Geography from Keele University. Following this in 2021 I graduated my Masters studies with a Distinction in "Social Science Research Methods' From Keele University.

During my Undergraduate and Masters studies I was able to focus my interests in Health and Social Geography, with a practical focus on research methods and the reflexive research process.

Following my studies I was able to work as a Research Assistant within the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment at Keele University. Where I worked on numerous research projects highlighted below:

- Evaluation of Electro mobility (E-mobility) in Staffordshire (SIMULATE ADEPT Live Labs Programme)
- Delivering Net Zero: Electric vehicle adoption and tackling gender exclusion
- Levelling up the United Kingdom to secure sustainable rural livelihoods: co-delivering Staffordshire's Rural Economic Strategy
- Burnout within the medical profession: Potential influence from the design of hospital space

Currently I am working on my PhD, partnered with STAMMA (The British Stammering Association), which uses a multi-method approach to explore the everyday life and wellbeing of young people who identify as having a speech dysfluency.

Research and scholarship

My research interests include: Geographies of Health and Impairment, Geographies of the everyday and Innovative qualitative research methods.

In 2021 I received a NWSSDTP +3 CASE Studentship in partnership with STAMMA (The British Stammering Association).

PhD Title: It's Good to Talk? Listening and talking practices for well-being in young people with speech impediments.

This research aims to highlight dysfluent speakers feelings and give voice through listening to the
experiences of young dysfluent speakers.

How 'young' people with speech dysfluencies experience everyday encounters throughout daily life is a key aspect of this research. To understand this, I will ‘talk’ to young dysfluent speakers through a series of interviews, video or textual diaries and 'Zine' workshops. As well as my own reflexive autoethnography of the PhD.

I plan to hold an exhibition of research findings that will help to visualise the speech of dysfluent speakers and allow fluent speakers a glimpse into what it is like to ‘talk differently’ in everyday life. I will also create an infographic that will be shared with health and education professionals with the aim of ensuring good practice in these spaces when working with and listening to dysfluent speakers.

Collaborations and grants awards

NWSSDTP +3 CASE Studentship

School of Life Sciences,
Huxley Building,
Keele University,
Staffordshire,
ST5 5BG
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414

Enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414
Email: lifesciences.office@keele.ac.uk

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