Project Description

I am a PhD researcher working on the HBSC England study. Over the past four years, I have held research roles at the University of Kent (Centre for Health Services Studies) and Canterbury Christ Church University (Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology).

My academic and professional background spans applied health and social research, early years and further education, and voluntary sector partnerships. I began my career as an Early Years Teacher within Sure Start Centres, working with vulnerable children and families. I later managed community and charity programmes supporting volunteering, family engagement, and wellbeing, before moving into a career in research.

In recent years, my research has focused on evaluating innovative models of mental health and social care delivery, particularly those designed to reduce inequalities and strengthen community-based support. This includes an evaluation of GP-led physical health clinics for people with severe mental illness, the Buddi Tag programme, a police-led early intervention initiative supporting young people at risk of criminal exploitation, and an NIHR-funded realist evidence synthesis on service configurations for psychosis.

I have also been involved with CAVEAT (Community And Voluntary Organisation EvaluAtion Toolkit), helping VCSE organisations to describe, measure, and report their impact. Through CAVEAT I have worked on developing outcome frameworks, identifying appropriate tools for data collection, and supporting organisations in demonstrating change in health, social, and emotional wellbeing.

I have a wealth of experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research, co-production, and participatory evaluation. I am particularly experienced in recruiting and engaging people who are often underrepresented in research, including Black communities affected by severe mental illness, young people at risk of exclusion, and others who may face barriers to participation. I like to ensure that my approach prioritises accessibility, trust-building, and the use of creative and flexible methods to ensure that participants’ perspectives shape both the process and outcomes of research.

Within HBSC England, my research interests focus on how everyday environments, relationships, and social participation influence young people’s wellbeing, with particular attention to resilience, coping strategies, online and offline social behaviours, and the role of local systems and data-sharing in promoting mental health and educational equity.

Through the HBSC PHD work I aim to generate research that is both rigorous and meaningful, producing insights that can directly inform practice, policy, and support for our young people.