Christina's doctoral research focused on investigating the role of functional play in the lives of autistic children with severe learning difficulties. Through this research, she developed a comprehensive framework aimed at assisting practitioners in schools. Christina is currently researching playful pedagogies within Initial Teaching Education and serving on the board for the International Council for Children's Play.
Christina is also an advocate for a positive research culture. Most recently Christina is leading a funded project with Brighton and Sussex Medical school to deliver a Collaborators Retreat- aiming to induce greater interdisciplinary engagement across UoS.
In addition to her research Christina teaches modules across both undergraduate and postgraduate programs that address topics surrounding inclusion, diversity, and autism. Through her teaching, she aims to equip future educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to create inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of all learners.
Christina grew up near Baltimore, Maryland, USA and obtained an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Wesley College. She taught in a elementary schools in the United States prior to coming to England to work in a school for children with severe learning difficulties. She holds a Masters in Special Education from the University of Chester and a Ph.D. from the University of Bedfordshire. Christina began working in Higher Education at the University of Chester part time and then moved to the University of Bedfordshire where she was the Course leader for the BA Education Studies and then the course leader for the BA in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. Christina joined the University of Sussex in September 2017 and was the Head of Primary Teacher Education (2021-23). Christina led the team through a highly successful Ofsted inspection and has recently taken on new leadership as the Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Research.