Miro Griffiths

Born in the Wirral, Griffiths went to West Kirby Primary School. He wanted to go to Hilbre High School but was unable to do so because of its inaccessibility.{{Cite journal|last=Caulfield|first=Kevin|title="How Was School?" Interviews with Disabled People about their experience of Education over the last 100 years|url=https://sounds.bl.uk/related-content/TRANSCRIPTS/021T-C1559X0048XX-0000A0.pdf|journal=Alliance for Inclusive Education|via=British Library}} He instead went to Woodchurch High School and then Birkenhead Sixth Form.{{Cite web|last=Woodchurch High School|title=Woodchurch High School Awards Evening|url=https://www.woodchurchhigh.com/images/2014/AwardsEvening/Programme.pdf|website=Woodchurch High School}} His father, David, was an Aerospace Engineer and his mother, Helena, a Slovenian writer. He has one sibling, Jan Griffiths.{{cite news |title=MIRO MARVELS |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7425185.miro-marvels/ |date=2001}}

At thirteen years old, he received a Millennium Award which led to the conceptualised development of a computer game promoting disability equality.{{Cite news|date=2014-06-14|title=Disability campaigner made MBE|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-27819311|access-date=2020-08-31}}

Griffiths studied psychology at the University of Liverpool,{{Cite journal|last=Griffiths|first=Miro|title=Self Perception: How Do Disabled Students Value Themselves?|url=https://www.academia.edu/15503884|language=en}} and subsequently a Master's in Disability Studies at the University of Leeds.{{Cite journal|last=Griffiths|first=Miro|title=The Responsibility of Direct Payments: Exploratory Research to Examine How Young Disabled People Manage Their Care|url=https://www.academia.edu/15504022|language=en}} He completed his PhD on young disabled people in the Disabled People's Movement at Liverpool John Moores University.{{Cite journal|last=Griffiths|first=Miro|title=These Days Are Ours: Exploring Young Disabled People's Experiences and Views of the Disabled People's Movement|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/200750039.pdf|journal=Liverpool John Moores University}}{{Cite web|title=The Notion of Becoming|url=http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2020/1/17/what-does-it-mean-to-do-a-phd-at-ljmu|access-date=2020-08-31|website=www.ljmu.ac.uk|language=en}}

Griffiths lives on the Wirral{{cite web |title=Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board |url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/governance/fairness-social-justice-advisory-board/}} with his partner, Emma Fairweather, who is a bioscientist.{{cite web |title=Emma Fairweather |url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/emma-fairweather-38542a51}} He is a power wheelchair user, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type II){{cite news |title=Dr Griffiths speaks out against assisted suicide |url=https://righttolife.org.uk/news/academic-and-disability-rights-activist-dr-miro-griffiths-speaks-out-against-assisted-suicide}} and receives 24-hour personal healthcare assistance. Griffiths has spoken about the importance of self-directed support, the use of personal budgets to coordinate assistance, and the blending of human and technological support infrastructure.{{cite web |title=Let's talk about how I manage my direct payment |url=https://be-human.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Webinar-details-on-How-I-manage-my-direct-payment-29th-July-2020.pdf}}{{cite web |title=Reducing process, increasing choice and control |url=https://www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/_assets/TLAPReducingProcess_FINAL.pdf }}

In interviews, Griffiths has highlighted political support for the Labour Party (UK){{cite web |title=Labour conference: party must do more on the rights and inclusion |date=29 September 2016 |url=https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-conference-party-must-do-more-on-rights-and-inclusion/}} and the Green Party (UK).{{cite web |title=Past events |url=https://www.mertoncil.org.uk/getting-involved/past-events/}} He often positions himself as a pragmatic socialist.{{cite news |title=The legacy of Jeremy Corbyn |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjKi013WsCs}}{{cite news |title=Impact of the financial crash |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwL7o7jHBGY}} He has argued for a “politics of opportunity”, which is focused on supporting individuals and communities to be creative, imaginative, and experimental in building accessible and inclusive societies for all.{{cite news |title=Disabled people should push for radical overhaul of society after pandemic |url=https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-people-should-push-for-radical-overhaul-of-society-after-pandemic/}}{{cite news |title=Candidate Joe Biden |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AomjcBiY8Q}}

Griffiths began working as a Teaching Fellow in Disability Studies at the University of Leeds in 2018.{{cite news |title=Introducing new CDS team member, Miro Griffiths MBE |url=https://disability-studies.leeds.ac.uk/miro-griffiths-intro/}} He was awarded a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship, at the University of Leeds, in 2020.{{cite web |title=Dr Miro Griffiths |url=https://theodi.org/person/dr-miro-griffiths-mbe/}} Since then, he has been the Principal Investigator on the Disability Activism in Europe project. This project explores young disabled people's experiences and views of disability activism across Europe.{{cite web |title=About the project |url=https://disabilityactivism.leeds.ac.uk/about/}} His project has received media attention from the BBC (UK).{{cite news |title=BBC Radio Merseyside |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/17dlWNsk7PRTozwUe-TesVcwJ7M9Fv8O_/view?usp=sharing}} and US documentary filmmakers{{cite web |title=Extending the link documentary | website=YouTube | date=27 April 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1KcRdtSc8Q}}

Griffiths is the deputy director of the Centre for Disability Studies{{cite web |title=About Miro Griffiths |url=https://disabilityactivism.leeds.ac.uk/miro/}} at the University of Leeds. Griffiths is an Executive Editor for the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice{{cite web |title=International Journal of disability and social justice |url=https://www.plutojournals.com/international-journal-of-disability-and-social-justice/}} and Managing Editor for the Journal of Disability Studies in Education.{{cite web |title=Editorial board |url=https://brill.com/view/journals/jdse/jdse-overview.xml?language=en&contents=editorialcontent-65759}}

In September 2022, Griffiths was recognised by the International Sociological Association and awarded “Sociologist of the Month”{{cite web |title=Sociologist of the month – September 2022 |url=https://www.isa-sociology.org/en/publications/isa-journals/current-sociology/sociologist-of-the-month/sotm-september-2022}} in recognition for his research and publications.{{cite journal |title=Declare Independence : Independent Living, Oppositional Devices, and Heterotopias. The International Journal of Disability and Social Justice |doi=10.13169/intljofdissocjus.3.1.0024|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |title=Livin' in the future: Conceptualising the future of UK disability activism through utopian, retrotopian and heterotopian configurations. Capital and Class |doi=10.1177/03098168221137200|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |title=Disabled youth participation within activism and social movement bases: An empirical investigation of the UK Disabled People's Movement. |date=2024 |doi=10.1177/00113921221100579|doi-access=free |last1=Griffiths |first1=Miro |journal=Current Sociology |volume=72 |pages=83–100 }}{{cite journal |title=Reporting from the Margins: Disabled Academics Reflections on Higher Education. |date=2020 |doi=10.16993/sjdr.670|doi-access=free |last1=Olsen |first1=Jason |last2=Griffiths |first2=Miro |last3=Soorenian |first3=Armineh |last4=Porter |first4=Rebecca |journal=Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research |volume=22 |pages=265–274 }}{{cite book |title=UK Social Model of Disability and the Quest for Emancipation. |date=2022 |doi=10.1007/978-981-16-1278-7_54-1 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1278-7_54-1 |last1=Griffiths |first1=Miro |pages=1–15 |isbn=978-981-16-1278-7 }} He was an Invited Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for recognition to Social Movement Studies.{{cite web |title=Social movements – opportunity to disrupt our sense of normality |date=15 August 2017 |url=https://www.thersa.org/blog/2017/08/social-movements--an-opportunity-to-disrupt-our-sense-of-normality}}{{cite web |title=The need to radically change disability assessments |date=14 December 2017 |url=https://www.thersa.org/events/fellowship/2017/12/rsa-liverpool-the-need-to-radically-change-disability-assessments}}

Griffiths is a former strategic and confidential adviser to the UK Government (Labour, and Conservative – LibDem coalition, administrations){{cite news |title=Disability campaigner made an MBE |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-27819311}}{{cite web |title=Independent review of equality 2025 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320800/independent-review-of-equality-2025.pdf}} and former adviser to the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission.{{cite news |title=EHRC proposals on the right to independent living |url=https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ehrc-proposals-on-new-right-to-independent-living-dpos-welcome-draft-plans/}} He continues to provide policy advice to the UK Government,{{cite web |title=UNESCO inclusive policy lab |url=https://en.unesco.org/inclusivepolicylab/users/miro-griffiths}} European Commission{{cite web |title=Independent living research network |date=30 June 2020 |url=https://enil.eu/independent-living-research-network-miro-griffiths/}} and Liverpool City Region.{{cite web |title=Fairness and social Justice advisory Board |url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/governance/fairness-social-justice-advisory-board/}}

Griffiths has made appearances discussing disability, politics, culture and society on the BBC,{{cite news |title=UK Census 2021 disability data |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-64347984}}{{cite news |title=Access all podcast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dxlztf}} iNews,{{cite news |title=Why UK only has 16 hotels with full disabled access |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/why-uk-only-16-hotels-with-full-disabled-access-1756725}} the Telegraph,{{cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon considers backing assisted suicide |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/05/04/nicola-sturgeon-considers-backing-assisted-suicide-scotland/}} HuffPost, the Herald{{cite web |title=Assisted dying legislation introduced Holyrood |date=10 October 2022 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23035629.landmark-assisted-dying-legislation-introduced-holyrood/}} and the Scotsman.{{cite news |title=Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland take step forward |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/plans-to-legalise-assisted-dying-in-scotland-take-step-forward-3873587}} Griffiths has also written for The Conversation.{{cite news |title=Twitter has been important for disability activism – that's being lost under Elon Musk |url=https://theconversation.com/twitter-has-been-important-for-disability-activism-thats-being-lost-under-elon-musk-195864}} He has appeared on 'The Human Rights Podcast',{{cite web |title=Human rights conversation |website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@network67society29}} the 'Digital Disability Podcast',{{cite web |title=Digital disability film and TV reviews |url=https://digital-disability.com/home/talk/film-reviews/film-2022}} 'The Football Collective'{{cite web |title=Disability and football | website=YouTube | date=6 July 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDF6zof_5GQ&t=1s&pp=ygUibWlybyBncmlmZml0aHMgZm9vdGJhbGwgY29sbGVjdGl2ZQ%3D%3D}} and Council of Europe.{{cite web |title=AI and technology rooted in ableism and social inequalities | website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI99ZoE444M&pp=ygUObWlybyBncmlmZml0aHM%3D}}

Griffiths is an advocate of disabled people's political status, rights, and pursuit for liberation. He has spoken publicly about his commitment to the social model of disability,{{cite web |title=Social model of disability | website=YouTube | date=17 November 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-rEnKcZ5w0}} independent living philosophy{{cite news |title=Surviving now, planning for tomorrow |url=https://www.eurozine.com/surviving-now-planning-for-tomorrow/}} and disabled people's organisations. He has taken on board positions within the European Network on Independent living,{{cite web |title=Independent living – Miro Griffiths |date=30 June 2020 |url=https://enil.eu/independent-living-research-network-miro-griffiths/}} Independent Living Institute,{{cite web |title=About the independent living Institute |url=https://www.independentliving.org/about.html}} Alliance for Inclusive Education,{{cite web |title=Essay series |website=Facebook |url=https://m.facebook.com/ALLFIEUK/posts/part-2-is-up-of-dr-miro-griffiths-essay-series-on-current-issues-in-inclusive-ed/2584079374987834/}} and DaDaFest.{{cite web |title=Miro Griffiths |url=https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/miro-griffiths-mbe}} He is a critic of assisted suicide, and is a part of the Not Dead Yet movement.{{cite web |title=Assisted dying Bill | website=YouTube | date=24 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7laR1I4rAY&t=4s&pp=ygUObWlybyBncmlmZml0aHM%3D}}

Griffiths was part of the UK delegation, in New York (2006), at the Signing Ceremony for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.{{cite web |title=Signatures – Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-15&chapter=4&clang=_en}}

He was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2014. He was also named as an influential disabled activist by the Disability News Service.{{Cite web|date=2014-07-07|title=The List|url=https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/the-list/|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Disability News Service|language=en-GB}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:English activists

Category:British activists with disabilities

Category:People from Birkenhead

Category:People with spinal muscular atrophy

Category:Academics of the University of Leeds

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