Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
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Certification
Accomplishments
Volunteering
Languages
Timeline
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Steven Emery

Bristol

Summary

An experienced academic and project manager with over 20 years of leadership in large-scale, multi-partner research projects, delivering real-world impact through strategic collaboration and effective management. Driven by a commitment to connecting people, ideas, and resources to achieve meaningful change. Expertise spans Deaf culture and accessibility, combined with a recent certification in Artificial Intelligence for Business, offering a unique perspective to project leadership. Trusted relationships have been cultivated across diverse sectors, ensuring timely delivery of projects within budget and achieving measurable results. A strong focus on strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and inclusivity underpins all work. As a Deaf professional and fluent British Sign Language (BSL) user, there is a deep passion for advancing initiatives that create tangible differences and contribute to a more inclusive and innovative future.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
6024
6024
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work History

Junior IT Support Engineer

The Blue Lizard
London
01.2024 - 12.2024
  • Provided technical support for Microsoft Office 365 and Azure systems, troubleshooting issues and ensuring smooth system functionality
  • Maintained detailed records and documentation using the Horde system, developing skills in system management and customer support

Lecturer in BSL and Deaf Studies

York St John University
York
01.2023 - 10.2023
  • Delivered engaging weekly lectures on research methods and analysis to 12 undergraduate students, focusing on qualitative methodologies
  • Supervised 10 student research projects, providing guidance on dissertation development and analysis
  • Both required assessment, grading and feedback
  • Conducted and presented a historical research project on a prominent Deaf figure to four academic audiences, showcasing expertise in Deaf history and culture

Manager

Deaf Hub Wales
, Cardiff
03.2020 - 05.2022
  • Supported governance, compliance, and strategic planning for a board of 10 members during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Led four community-centred initiatives, including heritage and intersectionality projects, ensuring alignment with community needs
  • Designed and implemented monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess project outcomes and improve service delivery

Research Fellow

Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh
05.2017 - 09.2020
  • Conducted fieldwork for the Mobile Deaf Project, exploring the lived experiences of over 30 Deaf migrants in London
  • Published two academic papers and presented findings at four conferences, contributing to policy recommendations on migrant experiences
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ethically manage sensitive research data and ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs

National Strategy Coordinator

Citizens Advice
London
06.2015 - 04.2017
  • Managed a £300,000 National Lottery-funded pilot project to enhance accessibility for Deaf people across England and Wales
  • Fostered relationships with stakeholders, including government bodies and community organisations, to improve accessibility services
  • Designed and implemented evaluation frameworks to measure project success and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership

Writer and Researcher

Freelance
Colombia
06.2013 - 09.2014
  • I took a sabbatical to travel across Colombia, immersing myself in different communities and cultures, and during this time, I also got married
  • Supported the BDA with their input into the application to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which criticised the UK government for failing to address the rights of disabled people

Visiting Professor

Gallaudet University
Washington D.C.
01.2013 - 05.2013
  • Delivered undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Cultural Studies, Public Policy and Advocacy, and Disability Studies, over 30 students in total
  • Provided tutorial support and managed course administration using Blackboard, ensuring high levels of student engagement and academic performance
  • Developed and delivered lectures that explored the intersections of disability, culture, and advocacy, incorporating innovative teaching techniques

Research Associate

University of Bristol
10.2010 - 12.2012
  • Secured and managed a £67,000 Leverhulme Trust grant, to research the impact of genetic experimentation on Deaf people
  • Oversaw fieldwork, analysed data, and co-authored research papers, including publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Delivered presentations on genetics and Deafhood at national and international conferences, influencing policy discussions

Research Fellow (Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship)

University of Bristol
10.2008 - 10.2010
  • Secured and managed a £140,000 Leverhulme Trust Early Careers grant on group rights and Deaf education
  • Conducted intensive ethnographical research, producing impactful publication and presentations
  • Developed policy recommendations on language rights and citizenship for Deaf communities, contributing to broader discussions on social justice

Research Associate

Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh
06.2006 - 09.2008
  • Conducted interviews and translated material from sign language to English for the Sociolinguistic History of British Sign Language project
  • Undertook a major research project in collaboration with the University of Cardiff on researching Deaf people's attitudes to genetic counselling
  • Analysed research data, authored publications, and presented findings at conferences, advancing understanding of BSL and Deaf culture

Research Assistant

University of Central Lancashire
Preston
10.2005 - 05.2006
  • Conducted interviews with research participants for studies on Deaf citizenship and group rights
  • Identified funding opportunities and assisted in the preparation of successful research proposals

Gaps in Employment

Self-taught and online courses
Bristol
10.2023 - 02.2025
  • During the gaps in my employment, I dedicated significant time to enhancing my skills and expertise in areas relevant to today’s technological and business landscapes
  • This includes completing the National Certificate in Computing and IT, the AI for Business Bootcamp, and earning certifications in SEO Optimization and B2B Digital Marketing
  • These qualifications reflect my commitment to continuous professional development and my ability to adapt to emerging trends and technologies

Education

PhD - Citizenship and the Deaf Community

University of Central Lancashire
Preston

BA (Hons) - Cultural Studies

Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield

Certificate of Higher Education - Computing and IT

The Open University
Milton Keynes

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Technical Expertise
  • Cultural Competence
  • Multilingual Knowledge
  • Leadership and Governance
  • Research and Innovation
  • Team player
  • Self-motivation

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Certification

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner Certificate in Project Management, 2016
  • Level 3 Skills Bootcamp: Artificial Intelligence for Business, 2024
  • SEO and B2B Digital Marketing Certifications, 2024

Accomplishments

  • Secured two Leverhulme Trust grants (£67,000 and £140,000) for research into Deaf education and group rights.
  • Published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and delivered 40+ presentations at international conferences.
  • Designed monitoring frameworks that improved accessibility services for Deaf communities.
  • Created British Sign Language (BSL) vocabulary for political terms and translated political texts into BSL as part of the Lipman-Miliband-funded project.
  • Established a website on Deafhood and Genetics dedicated to addressing issues of genetic experimentation on Deaf people.

Volunteering

  • Deaf Zone Volunteer, Glastonbury Festival, 06/01/22, 06/01/23, 06/01/25
  • Volunteer Advice Worker, Deaf Advice Service Sheffield, 1992 – 1993

Languages

International Sign
Upper intermediate
American Sign Language
Intermediate
Irish Sign Language
Upper intermediate

Timeline

Junior IT Support Engineer

The Blue Lizard
01.2024 - 12.2024

Gaps in Employment

Self-taught and online courses
10.2023 - 02.2025

Lecturer in BSL and Deaf Studies

York St John University
01.2023 - 10.2023

Manager

Deaf Hub Wales
03.2020 - 05.2022

Research Fellow

Heriot-Watt University
05.2017 - 09.2020

National Strategy Coordinator

Citizens Advice
06.2015 - 04.2017

Writer and Researcher

Freelance
06.2013 - 09.2014

Visiting Professor

Gallaudet University
01.2013 - 05.2013

Research Associate

University of Bristol
10.2010 - 12.2012

Research Fellow (Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship)

University of Bristol
10.2008 - 10.2010

Research Associate

Heriot-Watt University
06.2006 - 09.2008

Research Assistant

University of Central Lancashire
10.2005 - 05.2006

PhD - Citizenship and the Deaf Community

University of Central Lancashire

BA (Hons) - Cultural Studies

Sheffield Hallam University

Certificate of Higher Education - Computing and IT

The Open University

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