ABOUT LISA CHERRY
Dr Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting settings, services and systems to create systemic change to the way that we work with those experiencing and living with, the legacy of trauma
Lisa has been working in and around Education, Children’s Services and across the public sector, for over 35 years and combines academic knowledge and research with professional expertise and personal experience.
Lisa has worked extensively with Social workers, Educators, Probation Workers and those in Adult Services, training and speaking to over 35,000 people around the world including in the US, Australia and Pakistan and across the whole of the UK.
Lisa has produced multiple pieces of research for various settings and Lisa's own MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970's and 1980's. Her DPhil research at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education asked "How do care experienced adults who were also excluded from school make sense of belonging?" releasing findings that support belonging as an antidote to trauma.
Lisa is the author of the hugely successful and award winning book 'Conversations that Make a Difference for Children and Young People' (2021), ‘The Brightness of Stars’ 3rd Edition (2022), ‘Weaving a Web of Belonging’ (2025) and ‘Conversations that Make a Difference for Practitioners’ (2025).
"Lisa’s unique combination of experience, knowledge, skill and personality has been instrumental in our on-going journey to become a trauma-informed organisation. We have closely collaborated over the past ten years, during which time Lisa has always responded to our needs and tailored delivery accordingly. As well as delivering both foundational and advanced training to all Justice personnel, Lisa regularly meets with our team of champions who are embedded across our division. These bi-monthly forums help us to challenge ourselves in terms of both policy and practice and ensure we continue to learn and grow. Lisa's extensive knowledge together with her engaging style and ability to create a safe space for the groups is exceptional. Feedback about the training from attendees is always excellent."
Carrie Peters, Director of Justice
Ingeus UK
DOCTORAL RESEARCH
In October 2020 Lisa started her Doctorate (DPhil) at the University of Oxford in the Department of Education based in the Rees Centre which “produces research evidence to improve policy and practice in the areas of children’s social care and education.”
Lisa’s research question asks How do care experienced adults who were also excluded from school make sense of belonging?’ This research follows on from Lisa’s Masters which looked at this area of 'adult voices' with specific reference to education and employment in adulthood.
The undertaking of this PhD took place against the backdrop of a pandemic, the menopause and a cancer diagnosis but we are pleased to tell you that Lisa submitted her doctorate in January 2024 and after her Viva Examination in February 2024, is now proud to be Dr Lisa Cherry.
