Dr Hanna Akalu - Participatory Action Research Training and Development Manager, University of Reading
Hanna is a community psychologist and her research employs creative, decolonial, and visual methods to explore identity, inequalities, and self-definition among British Muslim women. With expertise in psychology and participatory approaches, her work focuses on co-producing knowledge that challenges dominant narratives and contributes to promoting psychological empowerment and social justice. Hanna is also co-convenor of the African Diaspora Postgraduate Seminar Series at Leading Routes.
Illin Gani - Policy Health Researcher, University of Birmingham
Illin is a researcher currently completing a PhD in Applied Health Science at the University of Birmingham. His work focuses on understanding harm through health data and translating research into clear, accessible insights that can inform prevention, policy and practice. Alongside his PhD, Illin is interested in how evidence is communicated beyond academia, especially how complex research can be made understandable for NGOs, public- sector themes, and the wider public.
Dr Myles-Jay Linton – Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol
Myles’ research investigates how mental health is experienced, measured and supported - most often with a focus on young people. He is a Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society), with expertise in how technology is changing the way young people behave. Myles is also Co-Chair for the Worldwide Universities Network's Student Mental Health Working Group, and has previously been an Academic Advisor for the Alan Turing Institute, the British Psychological Society and Mind.