Health and Wellbeing Alumni

  • Suzanne Van Even

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
    Health and Social Sciences, UWE Bristol

    Start date: October 2019

    Research topic: Psychological Impact, and Support Preferences of Black Men with Rheumatic Diseases

    Using a mixed methods approach, my research explores experiences of men from diverse black ethnic backgrounds, to try and begin to understand their coping strategies for rheumatic diseases.

    Research suggests that rheumatic diseases impact men in specific ways with respect to their feeling(s) of masculinity. Moreover, studies have shown that culture and ethnicity interplay with masculinity in important ways in other chronic conditions. However, little is known about the experience of rheumatic diseases among black men.

    Research supervisors: Professor Fiona Cramp, Dr Caroline Flurey, Dr John Pauling, Professor Paul Galdas, Professor Karen Rodham, Dr Mwidmi Ndosi

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    Graduate member of the British Psychological Society

    SWDTP Student Representative

    Email: Suzanne.Vaneven@uwe.ac.uk

    LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-van-even-1363297

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/SvanEven77

  • Dr Lewis Elliott

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni


    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter

    Graduation date: 2016

    Research topic: Physical activity in natural environments: Importance of environmental quality, landscape type and promotional materials

    Current position:

    I now work as an Associate Research Fellow at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (University of Exeter Medical School) on a European Commission Horizon 2020 funded research project named ‘BlueHealth’ (www.bluehealth2020.eu) which examines European’s interactions with ‘blue’ spaces (natural environments featuring water) and their effects on health and well-being.

    Email: L.R.Elliott@exeter.ac.uk

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lewiselliott90

    Website/Blog: https://bluehealth2020.eu/people/lewis-elliott/

  • Tom Arthur

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter

    Start date: September 2017

    Research topic: Exploring the Visuomotor Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Recent research argues that deficits in motor functioning are a key feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with renowned clumsiness and impaired motor co-ordination emerging as typical traits. My research will bring together elements from developmental psychology, neuroscience and sports science to better understand the functional deficits shown by ASD populations. Specifically, in collaboration with the Centre of Applied Autism Research in Bath, we aim to increase our understanding of how and why these motor difficulties emerge, before developing a novel intervention that can combat such deficits and enhance motor learning.

    Research supervisors: Dr Samuel Vine, Dr Gavin Buckingham, Professor Mark Brosnan

    Email: tga202@exeter.ac.uk

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomGArthur

  • Nasrul Ismail

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni, Student Rep

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3 )
    Health and Social Sciences, UWE Bristol

    Start date: October 2017

    Research topic: Understanding the impact of macroeconomic austerity on prisoner health and wellbeing in England

    Using qualitative methods, my research will investigate the variegated, deepening impact of austerity on prisoner health and wellbeing.

    To date, no qualitative studies have focused on understanding the effects of austerity on prisoner health and wellbeing. The evidence is dominated by quantitative studies that make associations between fiscal consolidation and prison instability.

    Responding to this omission, my research will deliver four interdisciplinary work programmes, covering international, national, regional, and individual domains that will collectively explore the current disconnect between policy and practice.

    This research project is supported by 11 key organisations involved with prison health in England.

    Research supervisors: Dr Nick de Viggiani, Professor Christina Pantazis

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    Member of Early Career Academics Network, Howard League for Penal Reform

    Associate Member of the Local Authorities Research Intelligence Association (LARIA)

    Member of the Market Research Society (MRS)

    SWDTP Student Representative

    Email: Nasrul.Ismail@uwe.ac.uk

    LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nasrulismail

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/nasrulismail27

    Website/Blog: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nasrul_Ismail

  • Leanne Martin

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Psychology (ESRC +3)
    School of Psychology, Plymouth University

    Start date: October 2017

    Research topic: Using natural environments to reduce craving: cognitive and affective mechanisms.

    My research investigates whether increased exposure to natural environments reduces craving for potentially health-damaging behaviours (e.g. snacking, smoking, substance use). Integrating theoretical approaches from environmental psychology with the Elaborated Intrusion theory of craving (Kavanagh, Andrade & May, 2005) the project examines which characteristics of natural environments are most relevant to craving, as well as exploring the cognitive and affective mechanisms underlying any effects. Synthesising and extending two fields of research, this project has practical applications to environmental policies and public health initiatives.

    Research supervisors: Dr Sabine Pahl, Professor Jon May, Dr Mathew White

    Email: leanne.martin@postgrad.plymouth.ac.uk

  • Dr Georgia Smith

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol

    Start date: September 2014

    Graduation date: March 2020

    Research topic: The invisible epidemic: An exploration into the experiences, perceptions and understandings of Benzodiazepine and other medication use amongst older age groups

    Research supervisors: Dr Liz Lloyd (Bristol)

    Email: gs14219@bristol.ac.uk

  • Dr Jeffrey Lambert

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3 )
    College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter

    Start date: September 2013

    Graduation date: July 2018

    Research topic: Improving Interventions for Physical Activity and Depression

    Current position:

    I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Primary Care based at the University of Exeter Medical School. I currently coordinate a range of research projects in the Primary Care group.

    Research supervisors: Associate Professor Colin Greaves (Exeter), Professor Adrian Taylor (Plymouth), Dr Paul Farrand (Exeter)

    Email: j.d.lambert@exeter.ac.uk

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jefflambert12

    Website/Blog: https://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?web_id=Jeffrey_Lambert

  • Dr Jolanthe de Koning

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
    Department for Health, University of Bath

    Start date: September 2012

    Graduation date: March 2018

    Research topic: Physical activity, social isolation and loneliness in later life: A focus on rural areas in the UK

    My research explores the predictors of and relationships among loneliness, types of social isolation (SI) and physical activity (PA) in rurally-living older adults in the UK using interdisciplinary, sequential mixed-methods. I focus on loneliness and SI because strong evidence shows an association with poor health in older age. Similarly, engaging in PA leads to prolonged healthy ageing. My experience in teaching older adult fitness classes also adds to my interest in this topic. I focus on rural areas because I think that the quiet, rural way of life in the UK countryside should be supported for those who cherish it.

    Research supervisors: Dr Afroditi Stathi, Dr Suzanne Richards

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    British Society for Gerontology

    Campaign to End Loneliness

    Email: J.de.Koning@bath.ac.uk

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jo_deKoning

  • Robert Mann

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    Children’s Health & Exercise Research Centre, Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter

    Start date: September 2015

    Research topic: Training Practices, Health Problems and Athletic Identity in Adolescent Distance Runners.

    This PhD research aims to improve our understanding regarding the typical training practices (i.e. what type of training is being completed?), health problems (i.e. which injuries and illnesses occur most frequently and what are the associated risk factors?) and athletic identity (i.e. how do health problems influence an individual’s athletic identity?) of adolescent distance runners. An interdisciplinary research design will be used, in order to generate an integrated understanding of these themes. This research will form a distinct contribution to the existing literature by improving our knowledge of how to manage the training practices and health problems of adolescent distance runners, with applicability to coaches, practitioners, athletes and academics.

    Research supervisors: Dr Alan Barker (Bath), Professor Craig Williams (Exeter) , Dr Bryan Clift

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    • British Association of Sport and Exercise Science Member.
    • Organising Committee Member SWDTC Student Conference 2016.
    • Student Staff Liaison Committee Subject Chair: Sport and Health Sciences, 2015/16.

    Email: rm537@exeter.ac.uk

  • Dr Harriet Carroll

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    Department for Health, University of Bath

    Start date: September 2015

    Graduation date: June 2019

    Research topic: Factors affecting blood sugar control and appetite regulation

    My PhD is focused on how hydration and breakfast influence blood sugar control and appetite. The first trial involves testing the acute glycaemic and appetite response after being dehydrated versus rehydrated. Studies 2 and 3 involve analysing data in order to find trends in what people eat at breakfast, how it corresponds to what they eat later in the day and certain health outcomes. The final intervention aims to investigate whether sweet food at breakfast changes what people eat later in the day, as well as whether this is metabolically a better time of day to be eating sweet.

    Research supervisors: Dr James Betts (Bath), Dr Laura Johnson (Bristol), Dr Dylan Thompson (Bath), Dr Lewis James (Loughborough)

  • Dr Carys Banks

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    Department for Health, University of Bath

    Start date: September 2011

    Research topic: The vulnerable empowered? An ethnographic exploration of the tensions between policy imperatives in the context of learning disability social care support

    Through my doctoral research I have been ethnographically exploring how government policy is interpreted and incorporated into social care support for adults with learning disabilities in the UK. I have been particularly interested in looking at policies focused on empowering people with civil and economic rights and responsibilities over their lives. Influenced by liberal values, which position individuals as autonomous, self-sufficient agents, I am interested in exploring how these ‘sit’ in relation to the fact that people with learning disabilities have cognitive impairments and so are, in varying ways, reliant on others for support with aspects of their lives.

    Research supervisors: Dr David Wainwright (Bath), Dr Rachael Gooberman-Hill (Bristol)

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    • 2015-2016: TOR member
    • 2015-present: Student representative REACH (Research Ethics Approval Committee for Health).
    • 2015: Athena SWAN Committee, University of Bath, Department for Health.

    I am the post-graduate student representative for the Department’s application for an Athena SWAN Bronze award.

    • 2012-2016: Conference Committee Organiser/helper.
    • Organiser, SWDTC ESRC Student Conference, Knowledge Beyond Borders, University of Exeter, UK
    • Helper, Two faces of qualitative inquiry: Theoretical and Applied Approaches. The Second South West Qualitative Research Symposium, March 2016
    • Helper, Quality in Qualitative Research and Enduring Problematics. First Qualitative Methodology Forum Symposium, University of Bath, March 2015
    • Helper, 4th ESRC Research Methods Festival, University of Oxford, July 2012

    Email: cab45@bath.ac.uk

    Website/Blog: https://bath.academia.edu/CarysBanks

  • Dr Caitlin Lloyd

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
    School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol

    Start date: October 2015

    Graduation date: November 2020

    Research topic: Does anxiety exert a causal influence on risk for anorexia nervosa?

    My research interests surround the aetiology of psychiatric disorders, and in particular anorexia nervosa. I also have an interest in the use of methodologies that promote the validity of inferences from research findings. My PhD research seeks to address whether anxiety phenotypes have a causal influence on anorexia nervosa. I am using a range of epidemiological approaches to test my hypotheses, with the aim of triangulating findings across different studies to promote the robustness of conclusions. In addition to my PhD research, I am involved with projects that probe biological and psychological mediators of eating behaviour and disordered eating.

    Research supervisors: Dr Anne Haase (Bristol), Dr Bas Verplanken (Bath)

    Email: el15519@my.bristol.ac.uk

  • Dr Siobhan Mitchell

    Health and Wellbeing Alumni

    PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
    Department for Health, University of Bath

    Start date: September 2014

    Graduation date: June 2018

    Research topic: Implications of maturation timing on the psychological wellbeing of elite dancers

    Current research suggests that maturation timing (whether an individual biologically matures in advance of their peers, later than their peers or at an average time) may be an important factor in how individuals cope with different learning experiences and social contexts and can therefore play a role in subsequent psychological wellbeing. My PhD research aims to explore this within the context of elite dance training and to investigate how we might use this knowledge within dance teaching contexts to promote and to optimise psychological wellbeing in adolescent dancers.

    Research supervisors: Dr Sean Cumming (Bath), Dr Anne Haase (Bristol)

    Professional memberships/Positions held:

    International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Member

    One Dance UK Member

    Organising Committee Member SWDTC Student Conference 2015

    Council Member, South West Research Cooperative

    International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Student Committee Member

    Email: S.B.Mitchell@bath.ac.uk

    LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-mitchell-653b5450

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Siobhan_Dance