About

About Emma Barker

Emma Barker is a Derby-based PhD researcher at the University of Derby, Miss Pageant Queen UK 2026 National Finalist, representing Derbyshire, an autism and SEND advocate, public speaker and official Ambassador for Treetops Hospice.

Emma Barker, official headshot

As an autistic woman, Emma knows first-hand what it feels like to go unseen. Her work is built around one idea: making the invisible, visible. Whether she is studying, on a pageant stage or speaking to a room full of people, Emma uses visibility to create visibility for autistic people, for families navigating special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and for anyone who has ever felt unseen.

Alongside her doctoral research at the University of Derby, which began in January 2026 and looks at how aftercare following an autism diagnosis in adulthood can be improved, Emma competes in pageantry and is a Miss Pageant Queen UK 2026 National Finalist, representing Derbyshire. She treats the stage as a platform for a serious message, and uses it to speak about autism acceptance and belonging.

Emma is an official Ambassador for Treetops Hospice, and she has given a motivational speech for the mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness. She is available for talks, judging, events and partnerships across the UK.

PhD research at the University of Derby

Emma is a PhD researcher in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby. Her PhD, which began in January 2026, investigates how aftercare following an autism diagnosis in adulthood can be improved, using a mixed-methods approach to explore personalised post-diagnostic support. Its working title is “Enhancing autism diagnosis aftercare for adults: A mixed-methods investigation of personalised post-diagnostic support”.

She combines her doctoral studies with her work as an advocate, a pageant finalist and a public speaker, and each part of her work shares the same aim: making sure the people who are too often overlooked are seen and heard.

College of Science and Engineering ↗University of Derby ↗

Pageantry

Emma is a Miss Pageant Queen UK 2026 National Finalist, representing Derbyshire. She sees pageantry as a platform: a chance to stand on a stage as herself, and to show every child watching that they belong there too.

Follow the journey →

Autism and SEND advocacy

Emma is autistic, and an autism and SEND advocate. She knows first-hand what it feels like to go unseen. Her mission is making the invisible, visible. She uses every spotlight she is given to make space for someone else, so that every autistic child, every SEND family and every quiet voice knows they belong in the room too.

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Public speaking

Emma is a public speaker. She has given a motivational speech for the mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness at its volunteer meeting, opened Derby College's inclusivity event with a speech, spoken at the start of its inclusivity awards, and spoken at a school aspirations day. She is available for talks, panels, judging, hosting and events across the UK.

Book Emma to speak →

Ambassador for Treetops Hospice

Emma is an official Ambassador for Treetops Hospice. She is proud to support the hospice and to use her platform to help more people hear about its work.

As of September 2026, Emma has raised and donated £515 for five charities: £198 for Treetops Hospice and £262 for John Eastwood Hospice, plus £20 of food for Emma's Emporium, £20 of baby items for Bundles of Hope and £15 of dog toys for the Greyhound Trust.

Treetops Hospice ↗

Frequently asked questions

Who is Emma Barker?

Emma Barker is a Derby-based PhD researcher at the University of Derby, Miss Pageant Queen UK 2026 National Finalist, representing Derbyshire, an autism and SEND advocate, public speaker and official Ambassador for Treetops Hospice. Her mission is making the invisible, visible: using every spotlight she is given to make space for people who have felt unseen.

What is Emma Barker's PhD?

Emma Barker is a PhD researcher in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby. Her PhD, which began in January 2026, investigates how aftercare following an autism diagnosis in adulthood can be improved. Its working title is “Enhancing autism diagnosis aftercare for adults: A mixed-methods investigation of personalised post-diagnostic support”.

Which pageant is Emma Barker in?

Emma Barker is a Miss Pageant Queen UK 2026 National Finalist, representing Derbyshire. She uses the pageant stage to speak about autism acceptance and to show that everyone belongs in the room.

Where is Emma Barker from?

Emma Barker is based in Derby, Derbyshire, in the UK. She is a PhD researcher at the University of Derby and is available for talks and events across the UK.

Which charity is Emma Barker an ambassador for?

Emma Barker is an official Ambassador for Treetops Hospice. She has also given a motivational speech for the mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness, and as of September 2026 she has raised and donated £515 for five charities.

How do I book Emma Barker to speak?

You can book Emma Barker for talks, panels, judging, hosting and events through the contact form on this site, or by emailing hello@emmabarker.co.uk. She is based in Derby and available across the UK.

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Let'stalk.

Talks, judging, events, press or a partnership: tell me a little about it and I'll come back to you personally.

hello@emmabarker.co.uk Email

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