I graduated from Staffordshire university with a first class degree in Psychology and went on to complete the MSc in Health Psychology. Following this I completed a PhD investigating the impact and experience of living with age related macular degeneration at Aston University. Alongside my PhD I worked as a Research Associate at Manchester University and then as a Research Associate at Aston University co-ordinating a project exploring the impact of vision impairment on older people’s ability to manage their general health. In 2013 I was appointed as a Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University and went on to complete the BPS stage 2 training in Health Psychology enabling me to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Health Psychologist. I contribute to the Centre for Applied Psychology and Performance (CAPP) conducting local, national, and internationally significant qualitative research. I have collaborated with stakeholders to improve breastfeeding rates in Stoke-on-Trent leading projects including: a world café (Burton et al., under review) that enabled networking between breastfeeding support providers facilitating better signposting of services to new parents, and a photo-elicitation project (Burton et al., in preparation) capturing the supportive and inhibitive features of environments for breastfeeding which has informed the work of Family Hubs and featured in several media articles. Recently I was commissioned by Stoke-on-Trent city council to explore the facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding in the Pakistani community. On a national level I have worked with the charity Hereditary Angioedema UK (HAE UK) to understand the experience of living with a rare disease. I was awarded research funding for initial work and secured further funding to support a research student (awarded) and two student summer research placements (pending). I have been invited to a parliamentary evening reception with policy makers (June 2024) at The Palace of Westminster where I will use this research to advocate for policy change for patients with HAE. On an international level I have worked with the Manchester Change Exchange to improve maternity care in Uganda.
Professional memberships and activities
- Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society
- Health Psychologist registered with the HCPC
- Member of the British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology
Academic qualifications
Certificate in Counselling (2023)
Certificate in Research Supervision (2017)
BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology (2013-2015)
Post Graduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education (2013-2014)
PhD Health Science: Quality of Life and Wellbeing in Older Patients with Macular Degeneration: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study (2009-12)
MSc Health Psychology, Staffordshire University
BSc Psychology, Staffordshire University
Expertise
My research methods expertise is in the use of qualitative methods (particularly Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Reflexive Thematic Analysis), systematic reviews, and qualitative meta-synthesis. I have a specialised research interest and expertise in the use of photo-elicitation, PhotoVoice and participatory research approaches.
Research interests
I have expertise in health psychology and behavioural science. I conduct research into women's health issues, breastfeeding and physical health conditions. I have recently conducted work with HAE UK to explore the experience of living with a rare disease called Hereditary Angioedema. I also have research interests in gerontology, pain management, visual impairment, sensory disability and visual difference.
Grants
Stoke-on-Trent City Council (2024) A participatory project to explore the facilitators and barriers to breastfeeding in the Pakistani community. (£15,809) Staffordshire University Policy Impact Fund (2024) Production of a video dissemination resource to improve emergency care for patients with Hereditary Angioedema (£6,228) VTCT Foundation career development award (2023) Improving the self-image of young people with cleft: A photovoice participatory research project. (£69, 716) HAE UK (2023) PhD Studentship: Improving health services for people with Hereditary Angioedema, HAE UK (£72,216) Connected Communities Participatory Action Research, Staffordshire University (2023) A photo-voice exploration of breastfeeding friendly environments in stoke on Trent (£1,000) Staffordshire University Centre for Psychological Research Strategic Investment Fund (2023) A World Café to establish priorities for ending diabetes stigma (£700) British Psychological Society, Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme (2022)Experiences of breastfeeding twins/multiples in UK parents (£2,160) Staffordshire University Policy Impact Fund (2022) “A Breastfeeding World Café Event to Inform Policy” (£4,915) HAEUK.org charity funding (2021) An exploration of the lived experience of Hereditary Angioedema (£9,100) Staffordshire University LSE fund (2020) Experiences of lockdown during Covid-19 (£1,713) Staffordshire University REF support scheme (2015) An exploration of UK ageing stereotypes and the creation and validation of a tool to measure self-directed stereotypes in older people (£7,726) Staffs Faculty development fund (2014) Understanding the barriers and facilitators to exercise in older people with visual impairment (£490) Staffordshire University Applied Psychology Centre fund (2014) Exploring the pain and pain management beliefs of South Asian communities in Birmingham (£1,746) Staffordshire University Applied Psychology Centre fund (2014) Perceptions of psychological well-being and quality of life: Using knowledge to enhance student wellbeing and experience (£2,000)
Enterprise and commercial interests
Design and delivery of workshops in qualitative research methods and healthcare communication.
Teaching
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Psychology and Health Psychology Modules Qualitative Research Methods PhD and Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology Supervision: Doreen Fleet (PhD - Completed), “Transformation hidden in the sand; developing a theoretical framework using a sand-tray intervention with adult clients”. 2013-2019. Co-Supervisor with Dr Mani Das Gupta and Dr Andrew Reeves. Joh Turner (PhD - Current), "Investigating the role of touch in physical and mental wellbeing". 2021-present. Co-Supervisor with Dr Jade Elliott and Dr Sam Jones. Sukhvinder Biring (PhD - Current), "Exploration of South Asian Women’s experiences of living with chronic pain, their well-being, and alternative ways of managing pain: A biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective". 2022-present. Co-Supervisor with Professor Peter Kevern. Kate Leech (Professional Doctorate - Completed), "Mental health and healthcare in female prisons". 2018-2022. Co-Supervisor with Professor Karen Rodham. Rebecca Higton (Professional Doctorate - Completed), "Wellbeing in older adults, spirituality and coping during covid-19 and menopause support interventions". 2017-2023. Lead Supervisor with Co-Supervisor Dr Emily Buckley. Romaana Kapadi (Professional Doctorate - Current), "Dysmenorrhea, renal care and workplace wellbeing interventions". 2020-present. Lead Supervisor. Paige Karadag (Professional Doctorate - Current), "Young adults with chronic pain, wellbeing in transplant patients, and ME and Long Covid interventions". 2021-present. Lead Supervisor. Jackie Crewe (Professional Doctorate - Current), "Patient and carer experiences of early onset dementia". 2021-present. Lead Supervisor with Dr Daniel Herron. Julie Davies (Professional Doctorate - Current), "A participatory investigation of appearance concerns and experiences in young people with Cleft palate". 2023-present. Lead Supervisor with Dr Alison Owen. Sarah Olaluyi (Professional Doctorate - Current), "Improving emergency care for people with Hereditary Angioedema". 2023-present. Placement Supervisor (Academic supervisors: Dr Sarah Dean and Dr Emily Buckley)
Postgraduate supervision
- Supervisor on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology
PhD Supervision:
Completed: Doreen Fleet, “Transformation hidden in the sand; developing a theoretical framework using a sand-tray intervention with adult clients”. 2013-2019 (Co-Supervisor with Dr Mani Das Gupta and Dr Andrew Reeves).
Publications
For a full list of publications please see my ORCID profile here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3698-0712