About Sharon
Lecturer in Psychology, Massey University
Dr Crooks is an early careers qualitative researcher, lecturing within the School of Psychology at Massey University. After receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s doctoral scholarship, she investigated the ordinary, everyday lived experiences of autistic adolescents in mainstream NZ high schools. This was the first research project of this kind to do in NZ.
Dr Crooks is currently building her research portfolio with several tertiary-related neurodiversity research projects underway. She is a member of four Communities of Practice, collectively aiming to increase visibility and support for neurodivergent students and staff within tertiary institutions.
Dr Crooks brings an insider perspective to her ADHD research. She is interested in exploring phenomenological experience and neurodivergent intersubjectivity, challenging dominant assumptions of experience, the importance of acceptance, and the meaning of being connected, and befriended.