Personal profile
Academic Biography
I am a Research Fellow at Teesside University, working on a range of projects that examine health inequalities and wider societal inequity through the application of research.
Prior to joining Teesside University, I have worked in a number of settings, working with charities to improve access to Higher Education for under-represented groups and within SEN education.
I completed my PhD in 2015 in Philosophy, with an ESRC funded project looking at the implications of genetic research on the autonomy and agency of young people in the U.K.
Summary of Research Interests
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of my research, I have a wide range of research interests.
Perhaps the most prominent of these interests is in community-led research and Ethics and Bioethics: where I have interests ranging from moral judgement in Autistic individuals to life-limiting conditions and the nature of grief, as well as the theory and practice of improving Research Ethics both within and outside academia.
I have researched extensively in the fields of genomics and neuro-ethics, specifically behavioural genetics and the philosophy of psychiatry/mental disorder. I have also conducted research on the notions of autonomy and agency (developing my own theory of developed agency) and how it relates to young people, as well as the philosophy of childhood more generally.
I have an interest in public health and the philosophy of public health, children's rights, jurisprudence/feminist jurisprudence and empirical bioethics/philosophy, and during my PhD research I devised a process (and corresponding theory) for appraising the moral sophistication, consistency and agency of individuals. I am also interested in the Philosophy of Psychology.
My primary interests are based on the notion that research should benefit people as much as possible, and this is why I enjoy engaging in co-produced research putting communities and the voice of people at the heart of the research process. I am especially passionate about addressing the contemporary and historical inequalities and discrimination that are faced by the Rroma community.
External Roles and Professional Activities
I am Honorary Professor of Social Sciences at Lovely Professional University, India.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Best Screened and Not Heard: The Impact of Genetic Research on the Autonomy and Agency of Young People in the UK, Lancaster University
… → 2015
Master, Genetics and Society (Research), Lancaster University
… → 2008
Master, Philosophy, Lancaster University
… → 2007
Bachelor, Philosophy, Lancaster University
… → 2006
External positions
Adjunct Faculty, Lovely Professional University
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Connecting Research and Policymaking UPEN
Fatehrad, A. (PI), Gray, N. (RA) & Divers, A. (RA)
29/09/25 → …
Project: Research
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Bridging Health Divides: An Exploration of Barriers towards NHS Health Checks in Deprived Communities in Tees Valley
Eberhardt, J. (PI), Ling, J. (CoI), Portman, R. (CoI), Newbury-Birch, D. (PI), Divers, A. (CoI), Robinson, C. (CoI) & Kane, L. (RA)
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Place-Based Policy - A Quadruple-Helix Co-Production Pilot
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The Young Foundation - Institute of Community Studies
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Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Vaccine Uptake in Tees Valley Communities
Eberhardt, J. (PI), Ling, J. (CoI), Portman, R. (CoI), Newbury-Birch, D. (CoI), Divers, A. (CoI), Kane, L. (RA), Titchener, L. (RA) & Connor, N. (RA)
8/12/23 → 28/02/24
Project: Research
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Empowering children to shape the future of research on social inequality, health and wellbeing
Carroll, R. (PI), Newbury-Birch, D. (CoI), Lamb, B. (CoI), Essex, J. (CoI), Lawrence, J. (CoI), Beagrie, B. (CoI) & Divers, A. (PI)
1/09/23 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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The Effect Of Leadership Style And Reward System On Employee Engagement: A Comparative Study On Organizational Culture Of Public And Private Organizations In Zanzibar
Ahmada, H. A., Saleem, M. & Divers, A., 31 Jul 2024, In: Library Progress International. 44, 3, p. 6210-6217 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
The process of leaving abuse: Midlife and older male experiences of female perpetrated intimate partner violence
Carthy, N., Best, D. & Divers, A., 18 May 2023, In: Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 38, 17-18, p. 10409-10432 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Inculcating Agency
Divers, A., 31 May 2017, In: Childhood and Philosophy. 13, 27, p. 253-270 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Children and Developed Agency
Divers, A., 10 Feb 2014, In: Childhood and Philosophy. 9, 18, p. 225-244 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Relationship Building Together: Trauma-informed practice training and support intervention targeted at practitioners working across local authority services that support children and young people aged 10-21
Coulton, S., Hendrie, N., Newbury-Birch, D., Eberhardt, J., Divers, A., Vass, R. & Rice-Payton, S., 24 Apr 2026, London: The Youth Endowment Fund Charitable Trust. 105 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access
Press/Media
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‘Freedom day’? Removing COVID-19 restrictions will vastly reduce the freedoms of some – viewpoint
Divers, A. & Newbury-Birch, D.
19/07/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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UK's 'Freedom Day': The Future For COVID-19, Or A Fiasco?
26/07/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment