Meet The Team

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Steering Group

Jumoke Abdullahi

I am a Nigerian-British force of nature, a professional baby girl, a Yorubaddie, if you will. One half of The Triple Cripples and Our Living Archives, I write and speak on my experiences and I am extremely passionate about eradicating the taboos still surrounding illness and disability. I have written articles for The Bookseller and Glamour, amongst others and have also featured in Merky Books' 'Superheroes' and Bloomsbury's Grown: The Black Girls' Guide to Glowing Up. I hope to write a children's book in the future.

Close up of Lisette peeping over the top of a French magazine with the title ‘Lisette’ featuring a painting of a girl on the front and a cartoon on the back cover. Only the top of her head is showing. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Photo credit Laura Tindall _ PaperBoat Photography

Steering Group

Lisette Auton

I work with words in all their forms: as an author and playwright, a film and theatre maker, a performer and spoken word artist, solo, with collaborators, and alongside wonderful humans as a creative practitioner and mentor. Disabled, neurodivergent and northern, some say I’m a word artist, I say I do stuff with words. I’m published by Puffin, (THE SECRET OF HAVEN POINT, THE STICKLEBACK CATCHERS, LIGHTS UP and THE STARLIGHT REBEL). I'm a commissioned playwright; an award winning writer, poet and performer; and excellent at taking naps. All my work stars disabled characters and creatives, bringing our ordinary and exceptional lives to the forefront.

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Steering Group

Cerrie Burnell

I'm an author, actor, and former CBeebies presenter, where I broke barriers as one of the most visible disabled hosts on children's TV. I've written fifteen children’s books, including Snowflakes and the Harper series. My one-woman show The Magical Playroom debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe. Since leaving CBeebies, I’ve appeared on Doctors and created the BBC documentary Silenced. My nonfiction book I Am Not a Label won the SLA Children’s Choice Award. Wilder Than Midnight was an indie bestseller and Blackwells book of the month for May 2022. I’ve also worked as BBC’s disability ambassador—and now, I’m busy dreaming up stories over mint hot chocolate.

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Steering Group

Emma Clements

I am a deaf up-and-coming illustrator and storyteller from Sheffield. I advocate for more awareness around disability and access needs via storytelling. Also a parent to neurodiverse children, I want a change in representation to be a true reflection of every day. Every child deserves to see themselves represented in stories and books.

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Steering Group

June Eaton

I have been involved in the Disability Rights movement since the 1990s, and have been a disabled parent since 2000. I have reviewed books for inclusive children's bookseller Letterbox Library, for 15 years. I live high up in the Pennines near Hebden Bridge, and enjoy growing perennial vegetables and fruit.

Tommy has his hand pointing to the ceiling celebrating all people and all ages. He has dark brown hair and is wearing a blue and white jumper with a narrow yellow stripe.

Steering Group

Tommy Jessop

Actor, author and campaigner for the rights of people who have Down syndrome. In my work in film and on TV I have also tried to target hate crime and improve experiences in hospital for people with learning disabilities.

I believe everyone, especially people with disabilities, should be represented in children's stories so that they see who we truly can be, understand that our lives are worth living and value us as people. Books can show that we have gifts and talents and feelings just like anyone else and we can be good company. That is why I recently published my memoir, A Life Worth Living and my children's book Tommy's Time to Shine.

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Steering Group

Imogen Kate

My name is Imogen Kate I am an occupational therapy graduate and researcher, artist and arts facilitator based in York. I create digital illustrations based on my experiences of visual impairment, mental illness and being autistic.

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Steering Group

Jacqueline Stephens

My name is Jacqueline I am a disability advocate and run my own business making greeting cards celebrating disability especially in people of colour.

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Project Facilitator

Beth Cox

I am a publishing professional with over 20 years’ experience spanning trade, education, and ELT, as well as an author of award-nominated inclusive children’s books. I’ve been championing incidental inclusion in books since 2005, bringing hands-on insight into both the practicalities and challenges of embedding authentic representation in books. I’ve been self-employed since 2011 and offer non-judgemental, practical support to publishers through training and consultancy. I support the steering group and facilitate Reflecting Disability alongside Alex Strick and the team.

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Project Facilitator

Alex Strick

I have written children's books including touch and feel book Let's Play and the award-listed We Can!. I am passionate about ensuring children’s voices are heard and all experiences and identities authentically represented. My career has included managing national projects, creating resources, public speaking and many years in the children’s book world. I previously headed up Bookstart & Children’s Literature at BookTrust and reviewed regularly for the Guardian. I support the steering group and facilitate Reflecting Disability alongside Beth Cox and the team.

Review Manager

Lisa Davis

I am a freelance children's book editor who specialises in illustrated children’s books. My editorial work focuses on making books authentically inclusive while also editing for unconscious bias. I have worked in-house at publishers including Hachette, DK and Simon & Schuster, and as the buyer for the UK children’s reading charity BookTrust. Having previously worked with Beth Cox and Alex Stick on other projects, I helped test the reviewer framework and supported reviewers during co-working sessions for Reflecting Disabilities. Originally from the US, I now live in Belfast.

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Project Assistant

Rob Simpson

I work full-time as a Research Coordinator within the faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at the Open University, and I am currently studying a part-time masters in Publishing with Oxford Brookes.

Being neurodivergent myself, and having a young niece with a disability, I am passionate about supporting the Reflecting Disability project in highlighting the representation of disabled people in children’s books.

My ultimate career goal is to work within the children’s publishing industry, with a focus on the representation of neurodivergence within children’s books.

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Project Assistant / Book Reviewer

Claire Whittaker

I am passionate about developing compelling storytelling for causes that matter, whether creating content myself or working behind the scenes. I have studied Creative Writing, Publishing and Fine Art and love seeing how visual and written communication can combine.

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Book Reviewer

Tuğçe Bıçakçı Syed

I am an independent scholar, writer, and editor with a passion for championing diverse children’s stories. My background includes experience in SEND education and a strong commitment to equality, inclusivity, and accessibility in literature. In 2023, I was selected as a mentee with the Society of Young Publishers (SYP) and completed specialist training in Children’s and YA publishing, as well as Rights, through the MA in Publishing program at Oxford Brookes University.

Alongside my work in publishing, I write academic articles on Turkish literature and cinema. I am currently developing a children’s shadow play as part of an academic project funded by the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, and working on my debut YA fantasy novel, which draws on Turkish mythology.

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Book Reviewer

Lucy Bint

I’m an MA Publishing Media graduate, driven by a commitment to empathy, education, and inclusion. I’m particularly interested in how publishing can support more accessible ways of sharing stories and knowledge – not just for readers, but for authors too. I care deeply about author experience and authentic representation, and I’m passionate about creating publishing spaces that are supportive, collaborative, and reflective of diverse voices and experiences.

Book Reviewer

Maggie Chan

I am a researcher, educator and children’s author. For my PhD at the University of Edinburgh, I explored disability representation in picturebooks through critical multimodal discourse analysis alongside teachers’ perspectives. I have also worked part-time as a support worker for students with additional needs. These experiences shape my aspiration to contribute to children’s publishing and academic research to advance equality, diversity and inclusion.

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Book Reviewer

Toby Garside

I was born in Birmingham in 2003, and received a BA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham in 2024. I have always been passionate about reading, writing and analysing works of fiction.

Since completing my MA in Publishing at the University of Derby, I have become more aware of the opportunities available to me within the publishing industry.

I am particularly interested in the process of reviewing and editing author submissions, and it is my current aspiration to work as an editorial assistant within a publishing office.

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Book Reviewer

Verity Jones

I am an ex-school librarian and I am currently studying at Bath Spa University on the Children's Publishing MA course (2024-2025). I am passionate about inclusive publishing and representation.

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Book Reviewer

Harveen Kaur

I am a graduate of MA Publishing Media from Oxford Brookes University where my major project was focused on creating a print product to ascertain ADHD in women in the publishing field (Schrödinger's ADHD). As a brown, neurodivergent individual, intersectional disability representation and accessibility are of utmost importance to me. I hold the hope to make a difference in these fields in my career.

Book Reviewer

Samantha Langley

I'm a publishing student finishing my degree, with an interest in genre fiction and supporting readers to find and enjoy books they can connect with. This project has been an excellent and eye-opening learning opportunity, and I hope to implement what I learned through this project in future employment.

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Book Reviewer

Lauren Oakly

I’m a Maths & English tutor for children aged 4 to 15, and I freelance as an Editorial and Content QA assistant, working on educational materials from EYFS to upper secondary level. I’m studying for a Master’s in Publishing and hold a BA in Creative Writing. I hope to build a career in children’s publishing, focusing on accessible fiction and non-fiction that inspires younger readers.

You can find me exploring stories through festivals, theatre, art galleries, and my own art projects.

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Book Reviewer

Vasiliki Papakostopoulou

I am a philologist with a master’s degree in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University, driven by a lifelong passion for books and storytelling. With a strong academic foundation and a keen eye for language and narrative, I am eager to contribute to the publishing industry – particular in editorial, though I remain open to exploring a variety of roles across the field. Currently based in Greece, I am enthusiastic about joining a team that values creativity, collaboration, and the transformative power of the written word.

Book Reviewer

Éabha Puirséil

I am currently undertaking an MA in Publishing through Oxford Brookes. I recently graduated from a PgDip in Translation and Editing from Maynooth University. I work full time in Irish Language Literature in the Arts Council of Ireland, and love to undertake projects like this that let me read and assess books in my spare time.

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Book Reviewer

Nikola Grace Radley

I'm currently completing a Master's in Publishing, with a background spanning both the education and finance sectors. Having spent considerable time in Brazil and being a Portuguese speaker, I'm particularly interested in connecting the UK and Brazil through academic and cross-cultural projects. I'm also a proud Mancunian, passionate about amplifying regional voices and supporting more inclusive, globally and regionally minded publishing in the future.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses, wearing a light blue top, is smiling whilst sitting in front of a bookshelf filled with books. A framed sign that reads 'It's not hoarding if it's books' is visible on the shelf.

Book Reviewer

Zara Relphman

I’m a Masters publishing student and author with a passion for books – whether that be writing them or helping others produce theirs. I’m currently writing my own novel and have published short stories, blogs and poetry. Within publishing, I love marketing and editorial – marketing captures my creative side whilst editorial lets me get stuck into the words. I’ve previously undertaken freelance editorial work for the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook and have developed social media marketing strategies for brands. I aspire to work in the publishing industry and become a novelist – doing whatever I can to achieve that dream.

Book Reviewer

Beth Richard

I am a Product Manager for Content Accessibility at Elsevier, and during the Reflecting Disability project was Senior Production Manager at the Institute of Development Studies. I have 12 years’ experience in scholarly publishing production and am passionate about accessible publishing. I have an MA (Hons) in Publishing Studies from Oxford Brookes.

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Book Reviewer

Nina Van Wensveen

My name is Nina, and I am graduating from the University of Derby with a master’s in Publishing. Growing up, reading meant a lot to me. It was a way to connect with friends and family, to feel comforted and inspired, and to learn about new things! These are all reasons I want to work in children’s publishing – to be a part of the industry making it possible for children to engage with books that are educational, inspiring, and entertaining. I enjoyed the internship with Reflecting Disability immensely, it was such a valuable experience and I learnt a lot about what authentic and meaningful disability representation should look like.

Nina Van Wensveen

Beth Cox

Alex Strict

Zara Relphman