Catherine Hale

I’m a disabled researcher with a background in campaigning research and policy engagement on disability issues going back 12 years. I have a track record of elevating seldom heard voices to bring about social change.

I founded and managed the Chronic Illness Inclusion Project (CIIP), part of the disabled-led DRILL programme involving over 2,000 participants. I directed its transition from a research programme to an advocacy organisation. Through the CIIP I developed a new methodology for remote and asynchronous participation, reaching people traditionally excluded from disability research. My proudest achievement with CIIP was coproducing the concept of ‘energy limiting conditions’ (ELCs). This was conceived as a way to empower people with chronic and invisible/hidden illness to embrace a positive disability identity and self-advocate for access and inclusion in society.

I specialise in research into disability employment and social security. I am currently working with King’s College London on research into employers’ perspectives of flexible working and disability inclusion. I was coproduction facilitator for the Work and Health Expert Research Collaborative funded by the NIHR, working to ensure its research design is informed by the social model of disability. I was previously Head of Research at Astriid, the employment support charity for people with long term conditions, and I remain with Astriid in a Trustee role. In the past, I have collaborated with Mind and Inclusion London on research reports into service user experiences of employment support.

I have applied the knowledge and expertise from my research to develop training for businesses on supporting people with ELCs and other long term conditions at work. I am called upon for expertise including going before select committees to give oral evidence, and informing parliamentary briefings on disability.

As someone living with an energy limiting condition for over 30 years, I have first-hand experience of being excluded from the world of work due to its inflexibility. That’s why I’m passionate about promoting flexible working as a lever for including more people with disabilities and chronic illness in the workforce.