Gemma Gardner

Gemma Gardner served for 15 years in the British Army before being medically discharged in 2014. Her transition to civilian life revealed how profoundly professional roles can shape identity, purpose and belonging—and how disorienting their sudden loss can be. This experience led her to establish the AURIS Institute, exploring how people understand themselves, navigate major life transitions and rebuild purpose. Gemma currently leads Identity After the Uniform, a research project examining the experiences of veterans, emergency services personnel, NHS staff and their families. Her work seeks to deepen understanding of identity change and inform more meaningful support during periods of transition.