Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Location: All campuses/Online
Keywords: ehlers-danlos syndrome, qualitative resesarch, disability research, focus groups, tertiary education
People with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) experience barriers to full participation in society due to the significant emotional and physical sequalae of their condition. To date, no studies have examined people with hEDS/HSD’s participation in university education. However, investigations into the lived experience of hEDS/HSD and the academic adjustments needed by people with disability in a university education setting suggest that the university education environment may present unique challenges for people with hEDS/HSD such as lack of professional understanding, social stigma, and the experience of physical and mental restrictions.
This qualitative research project will investigate the perspectives and experiences when accessing and engaging in university education experienced by people with hEDS/HSD. Focus groups will be used to obtain rich data about interactions between the individual, social, physical, and organisational factors that influence the person with hEDS/HSD experience of university education. Reflexive thematic analysis of focus group data will seek to identify the dominant perspectives and experiences of people with hEDS/HDS as the move through the university education system from enrolment to graduation.
Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono