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Melissa Kirby

@drmkirby

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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21.11.2024
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Latest posts by Melissa Kirby @drmkirby

Really pleased to be able to share our new paper on accessible people ๐ŸŽ‰

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 ๐Ÿ’œ

23.01.2026 15:19 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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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

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...

15.06.2025 15:39 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Purple Patch comic on tour in Helsinki! Very grateful to have had the opportunity to present at #NNDR2025 last week ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ #participatoryresearch #learningdisability #creativemethods

15.05.2025 17:17 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Image of a purple participant holding flowers. The bottom text says 'What We Do'

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.

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.

Hello Bluesky! Weโ€™re Purple Patch Arts. We use our Purple Patch Approach to support learning-disabled people to thrive and to be heard. ๐Ÿ’œ

11.04.2025 10:26 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It was such an interesting session! Really looking forward to hearing your next steps with it ๐Ÿ‘

12.04.2025 08:22 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks so much! โ˜บ๏ธ

10.04.2025 13:57 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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 ๐Ÿ’œ

10.04.2025 13:56 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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@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.

10.04.2025 11:02 ๐Ÿ‘ 9 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks so much, Amanda! Really lovely to have you there virtually โ˜บ๏ธ

10.04.2025 13:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks so much, Freya! So glad you were able to join virtually :)

10.04.2025 13:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Had such an enjoyable collaborative writing retreat this morning @amymrussell.bsky.social @drmkirby.bsky.social #research

21.01.2025 13:24 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Itโ€™s been a really exciting year - Iโ€™ve worked across 3 fabulous institutions and one charity, worked on 6 research projects spanning health, arts and culture, and disability studies, and collaborated with lots of lovely people. Bring on 2025! #LifeAfterPhD (2/2)

16.12.2024 20:16 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Yesterday was my #PhD anniversary ๐ŸŽ‰ 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)

16.12.2024 20:16 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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

23.11.2024 15:06 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Ah thanks Amy! And for all the encouragement/ support :)

24.11.2024 19:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0