I am a Social Scientist, working in applied health research, with a background in Psychology. I have 10 years research experience, using qualitative methods, broadly in two areas; (1) The healthcare experiences of patients, families and carers and (2) The health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The former has included projects looking at young peoples’ body image and appearance concerns, self-harm and their use of alcohol, physical activity among people with dementia and support for patients leaving hospital with a catheter. The latter has included projects exploring doctors’ experiences of personal illness, transition points in their careers and their reasons for leaving practice early.

In my current post on the CLARHC West Ethnography team I am undertaking projects including; ‘Working with the Bristol Somali community to improve outcomes for children with autism’ and ‘Discharging elderly patients from secondary into primary care: clinical decision making and risk management’. I have experience of teaching qualitative research methods, supervising post graduate students and tutoring undergraduate medical students.

My PhD thesis explored the experience of online peer support for young people who have chronic skin conditions. This work involved the innovative use of online focus groups which has subsequently been disseminated via journal articles, presentations, teaching events and a forthcoming book chapter.