IPAR - Mullins Research
Inclusive & Participatory Applied Research
(IPAR)
Ph.D., R.B.A. (Ont.) BCBA
Laura Mullins identifies as a white, disabled female scholar. Dr. Mullins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies. Dr. Mullins earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development from the University of Guelph and a Master of Arts in Applied Disability Studies from Brock University. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a Registered Behaviour Analyst (On.) with over 25 years of experience in the developmental service sector in various capacities, including direct and clinical support and research.
Research Interests
In appreciation of the need for transformative research within disability studies, her research predominately represents participatory action research with disabled people and community-engaged research and scholarship with services that support people with disabilities. Dr. Mullins’ research interests include addressing individual, organizational, and systemic factors that impact the quality of life of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, accessibility within post-secondary education, and exploring applied behaviour analysis practices through an applied disability studies lens.
Team
Meet the IPAR team!
Current Graduate Students
Megan Babiski
MA Student
Megan Babiski is a master of arts student in the Applied Disability Studies program, specializing in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture. Their research examines the perspectives of autistic post-secondary students who have experienced trauma. As an autistic, white student who identifies as non-binary (she/they), Megan brings both personal and academic insights to their work. She is involved in the Participatory Advocacy Research Network (PARN) and contributes to research on autistic perspectives of ABA. Additionally, she provides guest lectures to ABA students on autistic perspectives of ABA.
Grace Bird
MA Student
My name is Grace Bird, I am currently a MA student in Brock's Applied Disability Studies program with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). My research interests include improving the lives of individuals we aim to support as well as providing effective training to staff. My current research blends these two interests well, as it is focused on training and teaching staff on how to implement choice for the individuals they support in the community. As a member of the Mullins lab, I look forward to becoming involved in ongoing research projects. In my personal life I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and gecko, as well as working with my hands (doing my own nails, sewing, crochet, etc.).
Emily Bulten
PhD Student
Hello! I'm Emily Bulten, a PhD student in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Brock University. I have my MA from the Applied Disability Studies program at Brock, specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis. I'm a Registered Behaviour Analyst (Ont.) and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. My relationship with the lab is primarily through Participatory Advocacy Research Network (PARN), and the mentorship I receive from Laura as I embark on my PhD. I love plants, animals, and pursuing research and education to better the lives of people labeled with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Janine Costello
MA Student
Hi, my name is Janine Costello. I am a registered clinical Social Worker (MSW). I have worked in developmental and health care sectors. I am passionate about inter-sector collaboration in reducing system barriers for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they navigate health services. My research focuses on supporting the transition from hospital to community, following a long hospital stay or Alternate Level of Care. Through both practice and research, I am committed to ensuring that the lived experiences of self-advocates and families inform service development, policy, and professional practice. My areas of interest include hospital transitions, system navigation, dual diagnosis services, research informed clinical practice, and inclusive and accessible research practices.
Victoria Scott
PhD Student
My name is Victoria Scott. I am a PhD student and MA Graduate from the Applied Disabilities Studies department, specialized in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). I'm a Registered Behaviour Analyst (Ont.) and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. As a research assistant within the Mullins Lab, I have worked on the Community Capacity Development Initiative (CCDI) projects. My research interests include improving community capacity and inclusion to serve people with disabilities as well as improving the maintenance and generalization of intervention outcomes. Outside of work and academia, I enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking with my dogs!
Research Assistants and Lab Alumni
Temilade Adesina
MA Student
My name is Temilade Adesina and I am currently an MA student in the Applied Disability Studies program in the Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture (LDCC) specialization in Brock University. My research interests include evaluating the mental wellbeing of disabled students in higher education. As a Graduate research assistant in Mullins lab, I am working towards the PARN event. Besides Academics, I enjoy trading, writing and composing songs, listening to music and shopping. I hope to keep advocating for inclusive education in promoting policy that makes higher education accessible to disabled students.
Amanda Bailey
MA Graduate (Current PhD Student)
I am Amanda Bailey, an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). I am a PhD student in Education specializing in Critical Policy Equity and Leadership Studies at Western University. I have my MA from the Applied Disability Studies program in Applied Behaviour Analysis. My research interests include accessible higher education, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and accommodations policies. As a member of Mullins lab, I have had the opportunity to assist with several projects including the Good Neighbour Approach to Communities, the Transition Online IPA project, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion project, and the Group Living Compatibility Assessment Tool (GCAT) project. Beyond academics, I enjoy playing hockey, knitting, and Greek Mythology.
My name is Vriti Bajaj and I am a research assistant with Mullins Lab. I am currently working towards my M.ADS degree with a specialization in ABA. I enjoy working with different lab members and aiding them in their projects will gaining research expereince. I am particularly interested in disseminating the lived experience of people with disabilities. I also work in postsecondary as a community studies instructor and as a direct support professional in community settings. I enjoy taking photos of marine life.
Hi, my name is Kayla Cormier. I am an MA graduate from the Applied Disability Studies (Applied Behaviour Analysis Specialization) program at Brock University. I am also a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). My MA research focused on investigating the relationship between self-confidence and burnout for professionals in the developmental services sector, and I am also a research assistant on the CCDI project in the Mullins Lab. Some of my interests include playing sports, hiking, and spending time with family, friends, and my pets.
Rexella Dwomoh
MA Graduate
My name is Rexella Dwomoh. I am a graduate of the Master's in Applied Disabilities Studies specialized in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture (LDCC). I desire to utilize critical pedagogy, facilitated through consultations and collaboration with disabled people, to inform meaningful support and create social transformation. Outside of my educational pursuits, I enjoy travelling. I challenge myself to travel somewhere new every year to sharpen my cultural awareness.
Hi, my name is Taylor Hutchison, and I am a MADS graduate from the Applied Disability Studies (Applied Behaviour Analysis) program at Brock University. As a research assistant with Dr. Mullins, I am involved in the Participatory Advocacy Research Network (PARN) and the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS-2) project. My research interests include advancing social equity by promoting community accessibility and shaping policy reform in partnership with people labelled with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Some of my other interests include long-distance running, gardening, and playing chess!
Hi! My name is Rachel Sheppard and I am a research assistant with the Mullins lab. I completed my MA in Applied Disability Studies specializing in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture (LDCC) at Brock in 2023. I have worked on the Photovoice project and Transition Online project. My own research interests involve transition planning experiences for disabled students from secondary to post secondary education as well as overall accessibility in education. Currently I work as an Accessibility Consultant at George Brown College supporting and promoting accessibility for disabled students in the Health Sciences programs. Additionally, I enjoy watching documentaries, drinking coffee, and playing with my cats.
Jennifer Gervais
Jennifer is a graduate from the MADS program with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Jennifer is supporting the Good Neighbour project.
Sabrina Palmer
Sabrina is a graduate from the MADS program with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Sabrina is supporting the Prosocial and Community Capacity Development Initiative projects.
Ann is a graduate from the M.A. in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture. Her thesis, under the supervisor of Dr. Jan Frijters explores the current state of inclusion in mainstream classroom settings in Ontario. She has experience with disability in the private and public sectors spanning four countries, with all ages and many different environments.
Clara is a graduate from the Bachelors of Behavioural Psychology program at Seneca Polytechnic. Her research interests include autistic adults, social skills development and their integration into workplace settings.
