How the School of Sociology and Social Policy is celebrating Disability History Month 2025
Discover how the University of Leeds School of Sociology and Social Policy is marking Disability History Month 2025 through research, activism and inclusive education.
Why Disability History Month Matters
Disability History Month is a time to reflect on the history, achievements and challenges faced by disabled people, and to raise awareness about disability rights and to promote equality.
We are proud to share some of the work to advance social inclusion and social justice from scholars and research centres based within the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds.
Academic Research Highlights
Dr Miro Griffiths: Disability Activism and Research
Dr Miro Griffiths, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, is a leading voice in disability activism and research. His work primarily focuses on understanding disabled people’s experiences of resistance, activism, social movement participation and advocacy.
In the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice, Dr Griffiths published an article titled “Declare Independence: Independent Living, Oppositional Devices, and Heterotopias”. This work examines the concept of ‘Independent Living’. He looked at how this could be both a tool of resistance to oppressive systems, and a blueprint for reimagining inclusive futures. The conclusion is drawn that independent living is not just about personal autonomy, but it can also be a political and social tool.
Earlier this year, Dr Griffiths joined BBC Radio 4's Moral Maze to discuss the morality of Assisted Suicide Legislation. Listen to the discussion ‘is it time to allow assisted dying?’ (starts at 34:21).
Want to hear more from Dr Griffiths? Watch our Sociology and Social Policy Spotlight Series, where Dr Griffiths discusses research around young voices in disability activism.
Dr Andrea Hollomotz: Disability and Interpersonal Violence
Dr Andrea Hollomotz is a leading researcher in the sociological study of disability and interpersonal violence. Her work has shaped national policy and professional practice across disabled people’s health, justice and victim support systems. Here are three key projects driving change:
Sexual Violence Against Disabled People
This groundbreaking research explores support needs of disabled victim-survivors of sexual violence. The report outlined disabling barriers to accessing support and solutions for overcoming these, including on the design of inclusive services.
Multiple Sclerosis Domestic Violence and Abuse Research (MS DVA Initiative)
The MS DVA research initiative synthesised the findings from two PhD projects into a toolkit for MS healthcare professionals. The toolkit is to help professionals identify and respond to signs and disclosures of DVA, and to help signpost and refer to specialist support.
Cabinet Office Project
Dr Hollomotz co-authored a report for the UK Cabinet Office that examined evidence on the lived experience of disabled people in the UK between 2010 and 2021. Read ‘The lived experience of disabled people in the UK: a review of evidence’ (2025).
The Centre for Disability Studies
The Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) is an interdisciplinary network of researchers from across the University, committed to carrying out research and teaching that helps to achieve equality and social justice for disabled people globally. The centre is world leading in its field and its research is taught among many modules across the University.
Study with Us
The Centre for Disability Studies offers an accessible online MSc in Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion. Designed for learners worldwide, this flexible online programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to address the complex challenges facing disabled people globally.
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Accessible Learning
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Flexible Study Options
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Global Perspective
Find out more about the Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion MSc here.
Join the Community
The Centre for Disability holds a biennial conference that attracts researchers from across the world to share and debate research, ideas and developments in disability studies. The next conference is due to be held in April 2026. Find out more information for the 2026 conference.
This Disability History Month, the Centre for Disability Studies has teamed up with the University Library to host a campus-wide read along of Disability Visibility, a powerful and thought-provoking collection edited by Alice Wong. This book amplifies the voices of disabled people and invites us to reflect, learn and connect. Whether you prefer print, e-book, or audiobook, there’s a format for everyone and there’s even a Young Adult edition available in print and audio! Listen now.
International Postgraduate Conference
September 2025, postgraduate representatives from the Centre for Disability Studies hosted an international hybrid conference at the University of Leeds, welcoming 75 delegates from across the UK, Belgium, Canada, Germany, India and the US. This one-day event explored the theme ‘Disability Within Environments: Disability Studies Perspectives’, a timely response to ongoing global challenges
Make sure to regularly check our website, LinkedIn, and Bluesky for research and student updates.
