Laura Macmillan

Laura Macmillan is the Disability Officer at UCO working as part of the Academic Support Services team. Laura offers support, advice and guidance in all aspects of disability support available at UCO. Laura assists in Disabled Students Allowance applications, ensuring reasonable adjustments for students are put in place, as well as writing Learning Support Plans and delivering initial dyslexia screenings. Laura also ensures all students who attend a screening and whose results indicate a possible diagnosis of dyslexia, are referred for full assessment to gain an official diagnosis. Laura also offers general pastoral support and can offer advice and guidance on external support agencies and general wellbeing support. Laura has a wealth of experience in Special Education Needs Provision offered in compulsory and post 16 education, having been an Assistant SENCO, Literacy Co-Ordinator, Reading Support Facilitator and Advanced Practitioner in writing Education, Health and Care Plans. Laura has also worked as a Student Mentor and Safeguarding Officer as well as teaching students with specific learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, severe and profound learning difficulties and mental health issues. Laura has a background in Film Studies in addition to her thirteen years’ experience of working in support and teaching roles, with a particular interest in Psychology in Film.  

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Research Activities

MA

• Youth Audience Representation – How do young people in western society feel represented in contemporary cinema.
• Changing Themes within Teen Films – The representation of teens within teen targeted films 1998 – Present
• Youth Screening Habits – A study of how young people are consuming cinema in contemporary society and how this impacts on their immersive experiences of film.
• The Harry Potter Phenomenon: Adapting the Magic – Representation and engagement of youth audiences through adaptation, theme analysis and online fandom.

Current projects include:

• Enabling students to succeed through integrated and embedded skills development provision (with Academic Support Services Team at UCO)

Effective Transition for Students with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC):

• How and why robust transition plans are needed to facilitate the success of Autistic students achieving undergraduate study.

 

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Film Studies and Creative Writing – Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Carlisle MA via Independent Study (Research) Film Studies – DeMontfort University, Leicester Member of NADP (National Association of Disability Practitioners)