Miss Diane Shortland MA PGCJ BA

• Post Graduate Research Methods 60 credits – University of Birmingham 2019
• MA in Professional Writing – Falmouth University 2013
• Post Graduate Certificate in Journalism – Glasgow University 2010
• BA Combined Studies (English & Psychology) – University of Leicester 1996

Diane worked in Neuro Rehab as an Assistant Clinical Psychologist when she became ill with M.E at age 22. She spent many years bedbound and then housebound with the illness and experienced first-hand the impact of living with a chronic condition that is not well understood. She became more and more interested in the social construction of long term disability; the scepticism and stigma, lack of awareness and knowledge surrounding the legitimacy of M.E, both by healthcare professionals and society at large. Diane began researching how sufferers cope with this extra burden and how they find social and emotional support in their lives. She is also interested in the changing nature of the Doctor-Patient relationship and the role of the internet in shaping the lives of those with disability.

PhD title

'Social implications of long-term illness: How people with M.E. build and maintain social and community networks and relationships, online and offline, within their daily lives.' Expected completion date: 2025-2027

Supervisors

Dr Qulsom Fazil and Dr Anna Lavis

Qualitative surveying and interviewing of patients with M.E to gain greater knowledge of social support avenues in their daily lives.

Volunteer for the charity Action for M.E. – freelance writing, steering group for surveys, co-ordinator of the audio version of their 'Interaction' magazine