Lucie Wheeler

Lucie contributes to a range of research, evaluation, and knowledge exchange projects focused on home and alternative education, inclusion, neurodiversity, family experiences, and community engagement. Alongside her research role, she is completing a PhD exploring the lived experiences and identities of home-educating mothers through a qualitative collective case study approach.

Prior to entering academia, Lucie spent more than a decade working across early years, primary, SEND, and family support settings. She holds a BA in Child Development and an MA in Early Childhood Education. Her professional and academic experiences have shaped a particular interest in translating research into accessible and meaningful insights that inform policy, practice, and positive outcomes for children, young people, and families.

• Home education and alternative education pathways
• Educational inclusion and belonging
• Neurodiversity and SEND
• Family experiences and parental perspectives
• Identity, motherhood and caregiving
• Qualitative and participatory research methods
• Knowledge exchange and research impact
• Community engagement and co-production
• Educational transitions and life-course experiences
• Heritage, culture and informal learning

Lucie's research focuses on understanding the experiences of children, young people, families, and communities across a range of educational contexts. She is particularly interested in home education, neurodiversity, inclusion, family experiences, identity, and educational participation. Her work often explores how research can inform more equitable and accessible policy and practice, with a strong emphasis on amplifying underrepresented voices. She has experience across qualitative, participatory, and community-engaged research approaches and is passionate about translating research findings into meaningful recommendations that support positive change for children, young people, families, educators, and wider communities.

• BA Hons Early Childhood Studies
• Distance Learning Tutor

• PhD (Education) (in progress), Anglia Ruskin University
• MA Early Childhood Education, Anglia Ruskin University
• BA Childhood Development, Anglia Ruskin University

• Member, British Educational Research Association (BERA)
• Member, Education Otherwise
• Member, Early Education
• Member, Home Education Roundtable
• Advisory Board Member, The Autism Wellbeing Project
• Ambassador, MSC (Multi-Schools Council)
• Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health England

• Principal Investigator (PI), Exploring the experiences of home-educated families’ access to GCSE level qualifications and the barriers they face. Safe and Inclusive Communities funding, ARU. (2022-2023)
• Principal Investigator (PI), Widening Access for Home-Educated Applicants to Higher Education Institutions in England. Safe and Inclusive Communities funding, ARU. (2021-2022)

In Press: Wheeler, L. (2026) Neurodiversity through the educational years: Lived Experiences, Research and Practice. Emerald Publishing.

Wheeler, L. (2025) Teaching RSHE in the Home: Perspectives, Practices, and Support Needs of a sample of Home Educators in the UK. Research report. Education Otherwise. 

Moreau, M.-P. & Wheeler, L. (2025). “Ancillary Staff in Higher Education: In/Visibility and Mis/Recognition”. In J. Pilgrim-Brown, J. Crew & E. Attridge (Eds.), Underrepresented Groups in Higher Education. Emerald.

Moreau, M.P, Wheeler, L, Villadiego Angarita, S & Ifeoma Ubah, C. (2025) 'Towards the ‘care-full’ university: A national study of staff who are caregivers in the UK Higher Education sector.’

Wheeler, L. (2024) Home Education: Why are so many parents choosing it over mainstream school. The Conversation. 

Moreau, M.P, Platt, R & Wheeler, L. (2024) ‘An evaluation of prejudice reporting processes and training needs in early years education.’

Tsegay, S., Wheeler, L., Kirkman, P., & Pratt-Adams, S. (2023) Teacher Perspectives on Primary - Secondary School Transition Projects During the COVID-19 Pandemic. SAGE Open. 13(2). doi.org/10.1177/21582440231181382

Wheeler, L. (2023). Widening Access for Home-Educated Applicants to Higher Education Institutions in England. International Journal of Educational and Life Transitions, 2(1): 11, pp. 1–12. doi.org/10.5334/ijelt.54

Moreau, M.P. & Wheeler, L. (2023) Through a glass, darkly: Gazing into the field of carers in academia, Review of Education. 11(1), doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3387

Wheeler, L. (2025) From Parent to Educator: Understanding the Emotional and Practical Needs of Home Educators. Faculty Conference. Anglia Ruskin University.

Wheeler, L. (2024) ‘Parent, Teacher... or both? The dual role of the home educator.’ Panel 4: Navigating tension and opportunities in educational settings: AHESS PGR conference.

Wheeler, L. (2024) ‘Supporting Neurodivergent Children and Young People (including university students): A Parental Perspective’, International Research Collaboration on Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Sharing Best Practice for Neurodivergent Students and Staff in Higher Education - Development of international knowledge base and inclusive strategies. Online.

Wall, S & Wheeler, L. (2024) ‘Widening Participation: Listening to the Voices of Autistic Students’ International Research Collaboration on Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Sharing Best Practice for Neurodivergent Students and Staff in Higher Education - Development of international knowledge base and inclusive strategies. Online.

Wheeler, L. (2023) ‘Exploring the experiences of home-educated families’ access to GCSE level qualifications and the barriers they face.’ BERA Annual conference. Birmingham.

Wheeler, L., (2023) 'Home Education: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges' ARU annual research conference: Research and Public Value.

Wheeler, L., (2022) ‘Widening Access for Home-Educated Applicants to Higher Education Institutions in England.’ Chelmsford Science Festival, Anglia Ruskin University.

Wheeler, L. (2026) Challenges and Barriers for Home Educated families – the research. ARU Perspectives. Cambridge Radio.

Wheeler, L. (2023) ‘GCSEs and homeschooling’, Teachers Talk Radio Podcast.

Wheeler, L. (2023) ‘Home Education: The what, why and how’, Teachers Talk Radio Podcast.

Wheeler, L. (2022) Wall, S & Preston, S. ' Embracing Neurodiversity in the workplace’ Chartered Management Institute. Online event.