Leona is undertaking a PhD project examining young people’s political participation and how young people perceive immigration in the aftermath of the 2016 United Kingdom (UK) European Union (EU) membership referendum. The research is particularly focusing on perceptions relating to refugees and asylum seekers, who through the ‘Refugee Crisis’ in 2016 became conflated with issues relating to leaving the EU. She is undertaking this PhD research with the supervision of Professor Mark McGovern and Dr Lisa Moran. This research stems from her interest in politics and voluntary work supporting and empowering refugees and asylum seekers.

Leona was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Department of Social Sciences and has also been an Associate Tutor for the Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences.

Prior to studying her PhD, Leona completed her Masters by Research titled “An investigation into how the experiences of refugees are perceived by those working to support them.” This work looked at how the experiences of refugees were understood by those who work with them, detailing the challenging and successful experiences of refugees once they arrive in the UK.

Leona teaches on the following modules in the Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences:

SPY1110 Political Sociology

SPY1104 Introduction to Social Policy and Welfare

SPY1107 Exploring the Social World

SPY2129 Youth Studies: Key Concepts and Issues

SPY2136 States, Conflict and Political Violence

SPY3110 Critical Terrorism Studies

SPY3115 Youth Studies: Critical Perspectives

SPY3118 Childhood and Sexuality