Emma Barker

Pageant · Advocate · PhD

Pageantry, advocacy and community, for everyone who has ever felt unseen.

Now booking · 2027

Talks, judging, events and partnerships.

Book Emma →

Making the invisible, visible.

Pageant finalist
Autism advocate
PhD researcher
Charity ambassador
Public speaker

About Emma

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 simple: making the invisible, visible, so that every quiet voice knows it belongs in the room.

More about Emma Barker →

I use every spotlight I'm 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.

In numbers

Appearances

Next: The Warrior Charity Pageant

Press features

Most recent: Forge by Printlogik

£515

Raised & donated for charity

For five charities, as of Sept 2026

The journey

Every step, every stage, every voice along the way.

2023
University of Derby
Graduated, and kept going
Cap, gown, and the start of a platform.
graduation day
2026
University of Derby
Began PhD research
Investigating post-diagnostic support for autistic adults.
Read more about Began PhD research
the poster
2026
Miss Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire GB
Miss Derbyshire Finalist
My very first pageant Miss Derbyshire Nottinghamshire GB I didn’t place, but it started a whole journey that changed so much for me. And this was only the beginning
swimwear round
2026
Pageant Queen UK
Official sponsor announced
Printlogik Ltd became Emma's official sponsor.
Featured
the big reveal
2026
Miss Pageant Queen UK
National finalist
On the national stage, representing Derbyshire.
FeaturedRead more about National finalist
national final
2026
Rethink Mental Illness
Spoke for Rethink Mental Illness
A motivational speech for the mental health charity.
on the mic

And the next chapter…

Follow along ✦

As featured on

Stories

Portrait of Sarah Barron, owner of Rainbow Dandelion Crochet

Voices · 10 Oct 2026 · 6 min read

Calm with Yarn

After 20 years supporting others, Sarah learned functioning isn’t the same as being okay, and built a crochet business where it’s fine to get it wrong.

Read the story →

It's never just a habit. It's the way we're made, and we shouldn't be made to feel bad for the way we are.

Sharnie, Mum living with Tourette's

Voices · Oct 2026 · Read →

Where to find me

All appearances →

24Oct 2026
The Warrior Charity Pageant
Competing as a national finalist.
Burntwood Memorial Community Association, Burntwood, Staffordshire
Finalist
30Oct 2026
Poppy Appeal RBL
Wyvern Sainsbury's, Derby
Volunteer
14Nov 2026
Every Cloud Charity Ball
Pride Park, Derby
Guest
15Oct 2026
Bundles of Hope
Bundles of Hope, Long Eaton
Donor
13Oct 2026
Just for Dogs
Just for Dogs Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Volunteer

Brands I've worked with

All brands →

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Emma represents resilience, intellectual ambition and genuine grassroots advocacy, and she’s putting Derbyshire on the national stage. Backing her was an easy decision.

Bradley Leivars CMCIM, Founder & Creative Director