Biography
I am a Lecturer in Health and Social Care Sciences. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological 麻豆社区 (highest standards of knowledge and experience in the field of psychology). I have strong theoretical knowledge and skills around applying behavioural, psychological and social sciences to health.
I am a specialist methodologist with wide expertise in Qualitative research and evaluation (discourse analysis; thematic analysis; IPA; grounded theory; thematic synthesis for evidence synthesis).
I am a member of various BPS associated groups including the Division of Academics, Teachers and Researchers in Psychology; Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section; Division of Health Psychology. I am a member of the International 麻豆社区 of Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP); European Qualitative Methods in Psychology 麻豆社区 (EQUIP); British Psycho-Oncology 麻豆社区; Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
My research interests and expertise are focused on working with hard-to-reach, vulnerable groups using behavioural, psychological and science theories including:
1) Leading the Vaccine Hesitancy and Confidence Research programme over the past 12 years in SHSC
2) Qualitative Research and Evaluation
3) Professional roles and service evaluation
4) Psycho-oncology for rare cancers
I previously worked as a postdoctoral research fellow for 5 years at ENU in cancer and public health where I developed my own interests/expertise in vaccine uptake and confidence/hesitancy on a range of childhood vaccines e.g. for MMR, HPV, H1N1 and now for COVID-19 amongst Health & Social Care professionals. I worked as a research assistant for QMU and taught widely in psychology. I have previously worked as a psychology research assistant in the NHS on a range of research projects. I have been involved in service evaluation and consultancy for the NHS and charitable sector (Attention Fife, Macmillan Cancer Support). I worked at the Open University teaching Social Psychology.
I have over 15 years' experience of working in Higher Education and have taught widely across undergraduate and postgraduate provision for Nursing (all branches), Psychology and Business school students. I have taught at ENU, Queen Margaret University and the Open University.
During 2019-2022 I was the School Research Degrees Lead for over 50 research degrees students in the SHSC. I lead and monitored the development and overall progress for students and provided support for supervisors.
My work has achieved local, national and international attention. I have presented widely at national and international conferences. I am active in pursuing research funding and in publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
I have successfully supervised PhD students (four completions - one of these subject to revisions). Open to new PhD students in vaccine hesitancy/confidence and other areas within my expertise.