Rate My Professor Rachel Forrester-Jones

Rachel Forrester-Jones is Professor and Director of the School of Health Studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. She earned a PhD from the University of Wales, Bangor, a Call to the Bar from Lincoln's Inn, BA Laws and PGDBPS from the University of Law, GDL from the College of Law, PGCHE, PGDHE, and MAHE (Distinction) from the University of Kent, and BScEcon Hons with an intercalary year from the University of Wales, Swansea, and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Her distinguished career encompasses leadership roles such as Director of the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent, where she held the Chair in Social Inclusion, Head of the Department of Social Policy and Sciences and Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy at the University of Bath, and previous positions in social policy and sociology.

Professor Forrester-Jones's research examines the life course of people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues, from early transitions to death and bereavement, with a primary focus on advancing social inclusion for vulnerable adults. Her studies, conducted across Europe, the UK, Brazil, the Middle East, and North Africa, also address legal issues related to vulnerable adults, informed by her barrister qualification. Key publications include the books Tourette’s Syndrome, Stigma, and Society’s Jests (2025, Palgrave MacMillan), Autism and Loss (2007, Jessica Kingsley), and Resettlement from Large Psychiatric Hospital to Small Community residence: one step to freedom? (1997, Ashgate). Notable peer-reviewed articles are 'The Impact of Austerity Measures on People with Intellectual Disabilities in England' (2021, Journal of Long-Term Care), 'The Social Networks of People with Intellectual Disability Living in the Community 16 Years after Resettlement from Long-Stay Hospitals' (2006, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities), and 'Stigma and Adults with Tourette’s Syndrome: “Never Laugh at Other People’s Disabilities, Unless they have Tourette’s—Because How Can You Not?”' (2022, Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities). She has secured over $16 million CAD in external research funding. Professor Forrester-Jones co-chairs the European Association of Palliative Care Task Force on Intellectual Disabilities and the PEPIC international research group on palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities. She is Associate Editor of the Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, Editorial Board Member of Tizard Learning Disability Review, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and Senior Fellow of the National Institute of Health Research School for Social Care.