I joined Staffordshire University in May 2014. My research focuses on understanding how people cope with difficult health-related situations. I have more than twenty years' experience of working as an academic. In addition, from 2006-2013 alongside my academic job, I worked as a practising health psychologist and led the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome psychology service for adults at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases. In my spare time I enjoy walking in the mountains and from time to time, I use my mountain leader qualification to teach young people about walking and camping safely in the hills. You can find out more about me by visiting my website.
Professional memberships and activities
Chartered Psychologist
Health Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Fellow of the British Psychological Society (FBPS)
Member of the Division of Health Psychology
Academic qualifications
Expertise
Qualitative Methods
The experience of living with a complex/chronic condition
Understanding coping strategies employed by those living with a complex/condition
Research interests
My research expertise lies in conducting qualitative research that develops our understanding of how people cope with difficult health-related situations. Interviews, discussions and observations help me learn what helps or hinders peoples’ ability to cope. As a researcher, I make sure that my research has application in the real world for practising health psychologists as well as policy-makers. As a teacher, I share my learning from academia and practice to ensure that tomorrow’s health psychologists whom I am co-training are informed about evidence-based practice.
Enterprise and commercial interests
In 2014 I set up Stoke Psychology in the Pub. It continues to grow in popularity. You can find out more about it here.
Teaching
I co-Direct the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology.
I run the Psychological Interventions Module for the Professional Doctorate.
I guest lecture on the MSc Health Psychology and on the undergraduate programme
Publications