I am a Research Fellow in the NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre hosted by the Centre for Primary Care. I originally joined the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester in January, 2008. I had previously completed a BA (Hons), MA in Psychology and a MSc in Global Health at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland. During the MSc  I worked as the Tuberculosis Photovoice intern at the Health and Development Networks in Thailand. The Health and Development Networks is a non-profit organisation aimed at increasing the voices of those affected by HIV and TB through information, dialogue and advocacy to promote participant led dialogue within local communities, with policy makers and at the international level.

I was awarded the National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development fellowship to complete a PhD titled "Evolving ‘self’-management? A qualitative study of the role of social networks for chronic illness management in primary care." Through the PhD I explored the role of the social networks for individuals with long term conditions and used a qualitative social network approach. Co-morbidity also emerged as an important issue. I was awarded my PhD in 2011. I have since led a number of projects that explore various aspects of long term condition management and my current role is as a Research Fellow for the NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre involved in research about patient safety in General Practice.

Research Activity

I have a broad area of research interests related to Primary Care and the design and implementation of interventions to support individuals and organisations in the delivery of care. I have worked on a range of projects that have ranged from the social networks of individuals with long term conditions, multimorbidity, the role of voluntary groups in supporting people living with long term conditions to the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury through the development of 'sick day rules'. I am currently working on the NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (GM PSTRC) where my work will focus on the context of General Practice. Patient and Public Involvement is central to my work.

Research Interests

My main research interests include: the role of culture in health; addressing health inequalities in health; empowerment of disadvantaged groups; technology; patient safety; the influence of social networks on health management; the impact of loneliness and social isolation on health management; the role of community and voluntary groups in supporting long term condition management and the role of research in advocacy and policy formation.

Doctoral:

I am a co-supervisor for:

• Josie Messina, NIHR School for Primary Care Doctoral Fellow. PhD title "Primary Care as a setting for diabetes prevention and tackling health inequalities: a qualitative study and systematic review of lifestyle modification advice in disadvantaged populations"
• Shoba Dawson, NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Centre student. PhD title: "Patient and public involvement in patient safety: Black minority and ethnic groups"

I am also acting as an adviser for PhD Student Raymond Tweheyo.

I also teach Narrative Analysis as part of Faulty Qualitative Research Methods workshop for postgraduate students.

Masters:

I teach on the Masters in Public Health, Qualitative Research Module and supervised an MPH dissertation

Undergraduate:

I am a tutor for the 1st year MbChb Group Learning Personal and Professional Development and have taught a module on Narrative Methods in a Narrative Medicine course for 3rd year undergraduate medical students. I have also conducted assessments for the Year 1 Essential Skills Behaviour Change Course on the undergraduate medical course.

Other:

I have co-developed an Introductory workshop to Patient and Public Involvement for researchers

Member of SAPC Executive Committee

Member of the British Sociological Association

Member of the Society of Academics in Primary Care

Member of the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine

Qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, with a particular interest in longitudinal qualitative studies and the use of visual tools in data collection.

MA, BA (Hons) Psychology, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

MSc. Global Health, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

PhD Medicine, University of Manchester, U.K.