UCLUS was formally launched in February 2018 with support from the Wellcome Trust [Grant 210670/Z/18/Z].
UCLUS was established as a new hub for innovation in research and theory production in the stigma field and to build capacity for high quality research in this field. We cross traditional boundaries between stigmatised conditions and disciplines, with a particular focus on stigma associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health problems, and ageing. Co-production with users and potential beneficiaries of research is at the heart of everything we do. Our current research falls into four broad areas:
Disability Stigma
Our research aims to advance our understanding of disability stigma and effective ways to challenge such stigma, with a particular focus on intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mental Health, Stigma and Disclosure
Our research promotes empowered choice around sharing of mental health difficulties, and examines dehumanisation in mental health settings.
Dementia-related Stigma
Our research focusses on the complexities of telling others about a diagnosis of dementia and other aspects of stigma associated with ageing and dementia.
Physical Health related Stigma
Members of our unit study stigma related to Type 1 Diabetes (with Imperial College London) and Leprosy (with Leprosy Mission International).