As a health observatory, our focus is on generating robust, multi-disciplinary and actionable research that contributes to a better understanding of the multiple determinants of health and wellbeing for people with learning disabilities. Alongside this we generate evidence about the efficacy of health and lifestyle interventions with the aim of improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
In the context of our research programme, we will achieve impact by demonstrating our contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities, and contributing to the advancement of the scientific study to support this aim.
Through our programme of work, the Observatory aims to:
Aaron is a researcher, student, and disability rights campaigner from West Lothian. He lives with cerebral palsy, autism, and a moderate learning disability. Aaron is currently studying for an HNC in Social Services at West Lothian College and will begin his HND in Childhood Practice in autumn 2026. His research involvement includes collaborations with universities across the UK and Europe, and he works closely with several third-sector organisations and the Scottish Government on projects focused on human rights, digital accessibility, and upcoming legislation such as the Human Rights Act and the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. Aaron was appointed to the National Care Service Advisory Board in early 2026. Aaron is really passionate about using his lived experience and the power of humour to break down the stereotypes and barriers in order to educate future healthcare professionals helping them truly understand the meaning behind the social model of disability, so they can see no person is the same as the next person. With the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory, he has worked as a project advisor on inclusive initiatives such as the This Is Me campaign and Research for Everyone project.
John participated in the Citizens' Jury as part of the Research Voices project with SLDO in 2018, and has since worked with the Observatory on a number of projects offering his insights and lived-experiences to research and inclusive communication projects, including This is Me: Valuing the lives of people with learning disabilities, and Research for Everyone. John is a valued member of People First Scotland, a Board Member of Values Into Action Scotland and also an active contributor to various projects led by the Health Foundation, Kings College London and NHS Scotland, as well as working with researchers in Psychology and General Practice here at the University of Glasgow School of Health and Wellbeing.
Michael is a freelance journalist and disability campaigner. He makes news packages for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Scotland television, as well as having a regular column in the Barrhead News newspaper and hosting and contributing to several podcasts and YouTube shows on topics including Scottish Football and disabilities. Michael has been involved in numerous SLDO research activities including as a contributor to recent studies about heart health research for and with people with learning disabilities and understanding the mechanisms and effectiveness of lifestyle modification interventions in adults with learning disabilities.
Read about the work led by Dr Phillippa Wiseman and Prof Nick Watson which led to a change in the way crime data was recorded in Scotland .
Read about how SLDO research led to a change in vaccination priority status for people with learning disabilities in Scotland.
