Becky Coniam-Gudka
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
University of Exeter, Health and Life SciencesStart date: September 2024
Research topic: Promoting health equality in the design of digital health interventions for ADHD
There is a lack of ADHD support available to people in the UK. Young people who are transitioning between child and adult health services often face disruption to the care they may be receiving, alongside other challenges. A team at the University of Exeter are currently developing a digital intervention to improve access to healthcare for young people with ADHD, based on findings from the Managing ADHD services in Primary care study which highlight inadequacies of current support services. My mixed-methods PhD will explore ways to tailor the digital intervention to underserved communities to promote digital health equality.Research supervisors: Dr Anna Price, Dr Abby Russell
Email: rg518@exeter.ac.uk
Ella Barclay
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
Health and Wellbeing 1+3
UWE Bristol, Health and Social SciencesStart date: September 2021
Research topic: The importance of sexual and reproductive rights for undocumented migrants and their practical inaccessibility in the UK’s ‘hostile environment’
NHS charging practices within the ‘hostile environment’ have caused access to care for undocumented migrants to be the exception, rather than the rule. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the severely compromised sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) of undocumented women residing in the UK, with consequences of accessing such care ranging from extortionate medical bills to deportation. This indicates a severe disparity between healthcare rights in theory, and healthcare rights in practice. Through an ethnographic exploration, I hope to encapsulate the importance of SRR for displaced women, as well as their practical experiences accessing these rights.Research supervisors: Michal Nahman, Sheelagh McGuiness
Email: ella2.barclay@live.uwe.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-barclay/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarclayElla
Website/Blog: https://aquestionofhumanmobility.wordpress.com/
Ella Sangmyr
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC +3
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2022
Research topic: Body, appearance, and health surveillance in female adolescent friendship contexts
Taking a trans-national perspective, my research seeks to examine how the ‘performative’ and individualised culture of schools in the UK and Sweden impacts on practices of judgement and comparison among pupils. Specifically, the research uses an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach to investigate body, appearance, and health monitoring in friendship contexts between adolescent girls. Bringing together theoretical contributions from poststructuralist, feminist new materialist and post-qualitative perspectives, my project involves end-users, eating disorder charities and schools in the co-creation of educational resources, designed with an arts-based, socio-critical approach.Research supervisors: Dr Emma Solomon-Moore, Prof. Emma Rich, Dr Michael Donnelly
Email: ers63@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellasangmyr
Emily Glynn
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society1+3
UWE Bristol, School of Health and Wellbeing/College of Health, Science and SocietyStart date: September 2023
Research topic: Young people’s experiences of wellbeing and belonging in the workplace, under hybrid-working arrangements post-pandemic
For my doctoral research, I plan to explore feelings of belonging in the workplace amongst ‘young’ people in hybrid-working roles, post-pandemic. Through this work, I hope to contribute to the Public Health knowledge-base on the hybrid workplace as a social determinant of health, with a particular focus on how this may relate to feelings of belonging or not belonging as ‘protective’ or ‘adverse’ psychosocial factors. I am currently looking to use creative qualitative methods for this interdisciplinary piece of work, spanning the disciplines of Public Health, Anthropology and Social and Organisational Psychology.Research supervisors: Dr. Stuart McClean , Professor Manuela Barreto , Dr Harriet Shortt
Estelle Corbett
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society+3
University of Bath, Department of PsychologyStart date: Oct-23
Research topic: Exploring social prescribing effectiveness: enhancing the role of third sector organisations in health and environmental outcomes
My research is investing the social prescribing system which involves health and social care professionals referring individuals to community resources via a ‘link worker’. This approach aligns with a shift towards recognising social determinants of health and aims to address the rising use of pharmaceuticals impacting individuals and the environment through traces in wastewater. The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector plays a pivotal role in providing these community resources, including support groups, physical activities, advocacy, and nature-based interventions. This PhD aims to characterise VCSE dynamics and the link between social prescribing and pharmaceuticals through a mixed methods approach.Research supervisors: Prof. Julie Barnett, Prof. Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Dr. Kerryn Husk
Email: ecc73@bath.ac.uk
Esther (Ziqing) Ye
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
1+3
University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesStart date: Sep-23
Research topic: Environmental predictors of educational outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
The aim of my PhD research is to identify environmental predictors of educational outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in England. My PhD research will utilise linked administrative datasets to examine how home and local environments can support positive educational and health outcomes for SEND children. This will be an interdisciplinary project, involving public health, psychology and education.Research supervisors: Professor Helen Dodd, Dr Abby (Abigail) Russell
Email: zy352@exeter.ac.uk
Florence Neville
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing ESRC (+3)
UWE Bristol, Health and Social SciencesStart date: October 2020
Research topic: Autism and anxiety: are key diagnostic ‘deficit criteria’ actually effective strategies for the self-management of anxiety in autistic adults?
I aim to explore whether key autism diagnostic criteria, often seen as deficit traits or behaviours, are actually effective strategies for reducing anxiety in autistic individuals. For instance, “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction,” “restricted, repetitive patterns” and “insistence on sameness” may be necessary strategies in reducing levels of novel or challenging stimuli to be processed and so reduce anxiety.This will be an exploratory sequential study within a participatory framework. The research methodology will be underpinned by the social theory of disability which considers that autistic disability results from societal barriers rather than from autistic neurology.
Research supervisors: Dr Issy Bray (UWE Bristol), Dr Felicity Sedgewick (Bristol), Dr Jo White (UWE Bristol), Dr Stuart McClean (UWE Bristol)
Email: Florence2.Neville@live.uwe.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FloNevilleNAT
Website/Blog: https://autismhwb.com/
Gemma Brailey
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental SciencesStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Establishing physical activity patterns that are conducive to bone health in children and adolescents
There is a large body of evidence demonstrating that high impact, dynamic physical activity (PA) performed during childhood and adolescence induces positive adaptations in bone and leads to the attenuation of a greater peak bone density in early adulthood. This has a protective effect against fracture and osteoporosis later in life. However, the exact patterns of PA (type, frequency, intensity and duration) that bring about these optimal adaptations remain unknown and so my research aims to establish these by developing a measurement technique that allows the impact of PA on bone health to be assessed in free-living situations.Research supervisors: Dr Victoria Stiles (Exeter), Dr Lisa Price (Exeter)
Email: gb422@exeter.ac.uk
Geneviève Stone
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
Health and Wellbeing 1+3
University of Bristol, School for Policy StudiesStart date: September 2021
Research topic: A biocultural study of the linkages between economic and social insecurity, dietary quality, and obesity in urban Mexican adults
I am interested in understanding how socio-economic insecurity shapes peoples experience of food insecurity, dietary patterns, and ultimately health outcomes such as obesity, in Mexico. Using a biocultural approach which includes considering the interaction between both sociocultural processes and human biology, I will aim to test the ‘welfare hypothesis’ that links weak national welfare structures with obesity. My aim for this study is to generate policy informative evidence around how welfare protection systems shape the effects of insecurity on mental wellbeing, diet, and body weight.Research supervisors: Angeliki Papadaki , Mhairi Gibson , Tania Griffin
Email: genevieve.stone.2021@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geneviève-stone-15aba3124/
Georgina Wort
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2019
Research topic: Overcoming Physical Activity Inequalities in Primary School Children.
Physical activity is important for children’s development; low physical activity can negatively impact physical and mental health. Previous research has found children are not meeting current physical activity levels with large inequalities between children, particularly between girls and boys and those from different socio-economic backgrounds. To date interventions have been unsuccessful in addressing these issues. My research aims to address this by using a mixed-method and interdisciplinary approach, before co-designing an intervention to increase primary school children’s physical activity levels.Research supervisors: Professor Dylan Thompson, Dr Simon Sebire, Dr Oliver Peacock, Dr Gareth Wiltshire
Email: gw597@bath.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/george_wort
Hayley Redman
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
University of Exeter September 2024Start date: September 2024
Research topic: Exploring the mental health and wellbeing of fathers whose babies experience neonatal palliative care
My research aims to explore and understand the mental health and wellbeing experiences of fathers whose babies have received neonatal palliative care. By bringing together perspectives from palliative care, applied social science, nursing, and health systems research, this study will enable interdisciplinary insights into the social, cultural, and structural dimensions that shape the mental health and wellbeing experiences of fathers during neonatal palliative care and identify their support needs.Publications
Redman, H., Clancy, M. and Thomas, F., 2024. Culturally sensitive neonatal palliative care: a critical review. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 18.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/26323524231222499
Clancy, M., Thomas, F., Redman, H., Walsh, B., and Gasiorowski, E., 2024. Informing culturally sensitive neonatal palliative care: Focus on bereavement. Infant Journal, 20(5).
https://www.infantjournal.co.uk/journal_article.html?id=7422
Research supervisors: Professor Felicity Thomas, Dr Marie Clancy
Email: hlrr202@exeter.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hlrredman
Holly Mei Jones
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society1+3
University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesStart date: October 2023
Research topic: Exploring Physical Activity and Mental Health in Pregnant Women with Diabetes
Diabetes is the most common chronic health condition which affects women during pregnancy. On top of the significant life changes women go through during pregnancy, diabetes management can increase the psychological burden experienced. We know that Physical Activity beneficial during pregnancy for mental and physical health, however very little is known about Physical Activity during pregnancy in women with pre-existing Diabetes. My PhD project will be exploring how Physical Activity and Mental Health change throughout pregnancy in women with pre-existing Diabetes.Research supervisors: Dr Richard Pulsford, Professor Rob Andrews / Dr Jeffery Lambert Publications
Email: hj409@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-mei-jones-10549712a/
Joe Lillis
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences / Medical SchoolStart date: October 2020
Research topic: Investigating the relationship between multiple environmental exposures and inequalities in common mental disorders in England.
Two topics fascinate me: the environments we live and grow up in, and the way that health is unequally patterned in society. I intend to explore and develop new understanding of how our local environment and its many characteristics protect or harm our mental health. Working closely with Public Health England will allow me to create evidence that directly informs those with the power to utilise it. Importantly I will also geographically map the results, allowing a wider audience to visually engage with the findings.Research supervisors: Dr Ben Wheeler (University of Exeter), Professor Chris Metcalfe (University of Bristol)
Email: jl1108@exeter.ac.uk / joelillis@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joejlillis
Joshua Culverhouse
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental SciencesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Understanding the influence of patterns, types, and contexts of physical activity on health, wellbeing and quality-of-life in older-adults receiving support for independent living, and those in long-term care: a mixed methods approach
Research supervisors: Dr. Richard Pulsford, Dr Lydia Collison, Prof Melyvn Hilsdon, Dr Cassandra Phoenix
Email: jwc216@exeter.ac.uk
Julia Groot
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
Health and Wellbeing +3
University of Bath, Faculty of Humanities & Social SciencesStart date: September 2021
Research topic: An evaluation of the effectiveness of digital health technology to support mental health and wellbeing
Digital technology has a great potential to support mental health and wellbeing. It has many benefits over face-to-face treatment, including higher cost-effectiveness, wider reach and reduced support-seeking barriers, however, it is often impeded by high levels of dropout and non-usage attrition. My research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital mental health and wellbeing support. Specifically, I will aim to understand strengths and weaknesses of mental health and wellbeing support; how and for whom digital mental health and wellbeing support is effective; and understand engagement with mental health and wellbeing support in a target autistic population.Research supervisors: Dr Ben Ainsworth, Prof Mark Brosnan, Dr Christopher Clarke
Email: jmdg20@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-groot-60b344169/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaGroot
Kayley Birch-Hurst
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC 1+3
UWE Bristol, School of Social SciencesStart date: September 2022
Research topic: Psychological Approaches to Radiological Training: Assessing cognitive mechanisms underlying medical image perception and developing a novel training protocol
Radiological error is detrimental to both the health and wellbeing of patients. Despite the prevalence of radiological error in practice, the processes underlying such error are poorly understood, and current human and artificial intelligence (AI) training strategies are far from optimised. My proposed research project aims to gain a better understanding of the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that contribute to radiological error with eye-tracking technology; develop human-intervention and AI training protocols to improve diagnostic accuracy; and develop a database of authentic medical images for use in training of radiologists.Research supervisors: Dr Kait Clark, Prof. Melvyn Smith
Email: Kayley.birch-hurst@uwe.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayley-birch-hurst-90513513b/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmbirchhurst
Kelly Spurlock ANutr
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
UWE Bristol, Nursing and MidwiferyStart date: October 2019
Research topic: How does parental engagement with weaning advice affect wellbeing.
Using a mixed-methods approach I plan to explore how parents access infant feeding information by bringing together the medical model of nutrition and psychosocial determinants of health.Parental feeding behaviours do not often reflect current infant feeding guidelines which can lead to reduced health outcomes.
Parents, particularly mothers, can experience judgment from healthcare providers for their feeding choices which may affect how they interact with services and information seeking to avoid feelings of guilt or shame.
I have a degree in Nutrition and practical experience providing weaning advice to mothers in the private and third sectors.
Research supervisors: Dr Sally Dowling, Dr Patricia Lucas
Email: Kelly.spurlock@uwe.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-spurlock-anutr-16b04776
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellySpurlock23
Kimberley Farrugia
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC 1+3
University of Bath, Department of HealthStart date: October 2022
Research topic: Exploring the experiences of fear before, during and after pregnancy from perspectives of culturally diverse pregnant women, mothers and allied health professionals.
My research will use a mixed methods approach to explore women’s experiences and health care professionals’ experiences of physical activity throughout pregnancy and motherhood. These experiences will involve different cultural perspectives and how support (or a lack of) is provided for these women. Psychological and sociological theoretical frameworks will be applied to support my research, including the self-determination meta-theory (Ryan and Deci, 2000), psychological empowerment (e.,g Zimmerman, 1995), and theories of fear (judgement, harm). This research will be a foundation for future interventions, knowledge exchange event, podcasts and mainstream dissemination, to improve culturally diverse mothers’ wellbeing and identify appropriate physical activity for their needs, health, culture and lifestyle.Research supervisors: Dr Peter Rouse, Dr Richard Pulsford
Email: kf503@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/Kimberley-Farrugia-SWDTP
Lara Hollander
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
Health and Wellbeing +3
University of Bristol, School for Policy StudiesStart date: September 2023
Research topic: Understanding the Potential of Physically Active Learning Implementation Within UK Secondary Schools
Physically active learning is a pedagogical approach combining movement with learning in curricular lessons. Increasing evidence suggests the approach benefits education and physical activity outcomes amongst young people. Research in this field has largely focused on primary schools, with little attention given to its potential for adolescents, for whom effective school-based physical activity interventions are lacking. My mixed-methods research seeks to combine health and education paradigms to explore how physically active learning might be implemented successfully in British secondary schools, including initiating the co-design of an intervention with key stakeholders.
Research supervisors: Dr Miranda Armstrong & Dr Lydia Collison & Dr Ioannis Costas Batlle
Email: sg21785@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-hollander-62210076/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaraHollander
Laura Macro
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
1+3
University of Exeter Oct-23Start date: Oct-23
Research topic: Childhood adversity, mental health and future cardiometabolic risk: Impacts of lifestyle and environmental factors
Within my research, I will carry out longitudinal analysis to study the associations between adverse childhood experiences and cardiometabolic health outcomes during adulthood, using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. I plan to expand on existing research by assessing the influence of lifestyle and environmental factors, such as physical activity, socioeconomic status, or home environment. This may be important for determining specific groups who may be at an increased level of risk. Additionally, I intend to investigate whether interventions such as physical activity or psychological skills training may impact upon physiological responses to mental stress.Research supervisors: Professor Alan Barker, Professor Sarah Halligan
Email: lm776@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macro123laura/
Lee Mercer
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
+3
University of Bath 02-Oct-23Start date: 02-Oct-23
Research topic: Digital health
Digital health is often seen as the future of healthcare. Yet, disadvantaged groups are being left behind. My research explores why digital interventions for health promotion, such as fitness and diet apps, work less well for people in lower socioeconomic groups. To do this, we will develop a novel ‘digital health readiness’ scale which will be used to measure individual-readiness for digital health. Alongside, we will co-produce a ‘pre-intervention’ which will help those in disadvantaged communities to improve their digital health readiness, to better benefit from digital health interventions, and to take advantage of the digital health revolution.Research supervisors: Dr Max Western, Dr Roberta Bernardi, Dr Martyn Standage
Email: lcm66@bath.ac.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlankState1999
Website/Blog: https://bkst.quarto.pub/leemercer/
Lewis Youngson
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC 1+3
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2022
Research topic: The impact on quality of life of kitesurfing for disabled people: a mixed methods study
My PhD will consider how the physical, psychological, and sociological health outcomes found from kitesurfing interact to improve QoL for disabled people. The study will identify the benefits of kitesurfing across health disciplines and the challenges and barriers to participation, the benefits to family and caregivers, the outcomes in different settings, and the effectiveness of new therapeutic interventions. I will conclude with a list of recommendations for kite schools and the government on the health benefits of kitesurfing and how to implement it most effectively.Research supervisors: Jefferey Lambert, Charlie Foster
Email: ly732@bath.ac.uk
Matthew Northcote
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (1+3)
University of Bristol, School for Policy StudiesStart date: October 2020
Research topic: Physical activity and the growing family: A mixed methods study of how physical activity participation changes as a result of the reconfiguration of interrelated practices after the arrival of a new baby.
My research will provide a detailed understanding of the changes to the physical activity of household members after the arrival of a new baby. Physical activity is complex, and its analysis necessitates precise objective measurement using advanced quantitative methods. Also, insight into the contexts in which physical activity behaviours occur will be obtained using rigorous qualitative methods where practice theories will provide a novel theoretical lens. This mixed-methods approach will provide insights that are genuinely innovative and highly interdisciplinary which, through partnerships with Public Health England, Sport England, and Bristol City Council, will help inform policy and practice.Research supervisors: Dr Charlie Foster (Bristol), Dr Fiona Spotswood (Bristol), Dr Richard Pulsford (Exeter), Professor David Evans (Bristol
Email: av20205@bristol.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-northcote-142465131/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorthcoteMatt
Mia Alexander
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society1+3
University of Exeter, Department of Archaeology and HistoryStart date: September 2023
Research topic: The role of social identity in weight loss maintenance
Only 20% of those who successfully lose weight manage to keep the weight off. Weight loss maintenance is complex due to the extended time frame and various psychosocial stressors. Some examples of these stressors include waning social support for health behaviours and fear of weight regain. Formal support is limited during weight loss maintenance, and, consequently, individuals can feel very isolated. Social identity can act as an important driver of our health behaviours and decisions. Therefore, to improve our health in the long-term, it is important to understand social identity’s role and potential therapeutic application within weight loss maintenance.Publications
Watkins, R., Swancutt, D., Alexander, M. et al. A Qualitative Exploration of Patient and Staff Experiences of the Receipt and Delivery of Specialist Weight Management Services in the UK. Patient 16, 625–640 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-023-00644-9
Research supervisors: Dr Luciana Torquati, Professor Mark Tarrant
Email: ma811@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-alexander-641a6322a
Natalie Bennett
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC 1+3
UWE Bristol, College of Arts, Technology and EnvironmentStart date: October 2022
Research topic: An arts-based approach to understanding what shapes the intimate adult relationships of non-normative parents and how this impacts on their emotional wellbeing
I will consider how non-normative parenting identities understand their experiences of love, intimacy, and emotional satisfaction in their adult relationships and if they are impacted on by broader structures.I will ask participants to download the app 1 Second a Day to document every day a photo or video that captures their emotional wellbeing. I will then use these images as well as semi-structured interviews to create a piece of ethno-drama for the local community.
This will contribute to existing scholarship in health and wellbeing, the sociology of the family, the sociology of emotions, as well as performance-based research methods.
Research supervisors: Julia Carter, Toity Deavy
Email: natalie5.bennett@live.uwe.ac.uk
Nick Knowles
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
ESRC 1+3
University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesStart date: September 2022
Research topic: An evaluation of the ‘Surfwell’ program for promoting mental health and wellbeing among emergency service personnel: A case study of Devon and Cornwall Police force
My research is investigating the impact of a novel mental health intervention called surf-therapy. Surf therapy programmes provide an opportunity to take on the challenge of learning to surf and to experience surfing in a non-judgemental, supportive group Surf therapy combines physical activity, exposure to nature, and peer support, all of which are reported to have beneficial effects on mental health, and specific mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and PTSD. I will be working with the ‘surfwell’ team who run the surf therapy program in the Devon and Cornwall Police.Research supervisors: Dr Lisa Price, Dr Kim Wright, Prof. Fiona Gillison
Email: nk366@exeter.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-knowles-728886184/
Noah Marshall
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2024
Research topic: Narrowing the Needs-Provision Gap for Young People’s Mental Health: Developing and Piloting an AI-Guided Behavioural Activation Intervention
In the UK, one in four young people (aged 16-25) are impacted by a mental health condition. While policymakers recognise the urgency of this problem, resources and personnel within National Health Service (NHS) are stretched too thin to meet the growing demand for support. To help relieve this burden, Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots – like OpenAI’s ChatGPT – have been proposed as a promising tool to deliver accessible, personalised, and cost-effective psychotherapeutic interventions at scale. Building on this potential, the present project aims to develop and pilot an AI-guided psychotherapeutic chatbot for UK-based young people.Research supervisors: Dr Jeffrey Lambert, Dr Lucy Biddle, Dr Maria Loades, Professor Nello Cristianini
Email: noah.marshall@bath.edu
Rebecca Reece
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3
UWE Bristol, Department of Health and Social SciencesStart date: October 2020
Research topic: Comparing methods of exposure to urban environments and their effect on enhancing mental wellbeing.
The aims of my PhD research are to identify optimal urban environments which could confer similar benefits in immersive virtual reality (IVR) to real life; to explore the potential to use such technology and stimuli for the benefit of elderly populations with limited mobility, and; to pilot the effectiveness of a virtual reality intervention for this population. This will be an interdisciplinary project, involving Public Health and Applied Psychology, and will use a mixed-methods approach.I am undertaking my MRes at the University of Bath and then studying my PhD at UWE Bristol.
Research supervisors: Dr Chris Alford (UWE Bristol) , Dr Issy Bray (UWE Bristol), Dr Lewis Elliott (Exeter)
Email: rr688@bath.ac.uk / rebecca2.reece@live.uwe.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-reece-a8b658153/
Rebecca Reed
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Investigating the potential of selected teachers to become key leaders in long-term, school based, mental health interventions
Research supervisors: Dr Emma Rich, Dr Anne Haase, Prof Simon Fullager
Email: rr453@bath.ac.uk
Rosie Equi
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
Bournemouth University September 2024Start date: September 2024
Research topic: Older people’s experience of social prescribing: reducing pressure in domiciliary care.
My PhD projects seeks to understand the potential of enhancing social prescribing initiatives to improve older adult wellbeing and reduce the demand for domiciliary (home) care. Drawing upon the social determinants of health to enable a holistic comprehension of everyday life, my study shall utilise ethnographic methodologies to explore the contemporary relationships between social prescribing, older adult wellbeing, and the demand for domiciliary care to generate a critical framework for current policy development.Research supervisors: Dr Rosie Read, Dr Sam Porter, Prof Michael Silk
Email: requi1@bournemouth.ac.uk
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-equi-25560a273
Ruben Mcneil-Walsh
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
UWE Bristol, Health and Social SciencesStart date: September 2018
Research topic: Exploring coping strategies demonstrated by young men in response to rheumatoid arthritis and pain; do they develop the skills for disease self-management while managing the challenges of multiple-transitions?
Research supervisors: Dr Caroline Flurey, Prof Chris Ecclestone, Dr Joanna Robson
Email: ruben.walsh@uwe.ac.uk
Russell Peek
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2019
Research topic: Thriving under pressure: How occupational stress affects the performance, progression, mental health, and well-being of doctors in training.
As a medical educator, I’m interested in the effect of occupational stress on doctors in training. My PhD research programme aims to understand variability in response to stress from a psychophysiological perspective, and how such variability influences the performance, progression, mental health, and well-being of medical learners. Developments from this research offer the potential to identify trainees who would benefit from targeted early support, and develop evidence based interventions to allow doctors to thrive under pressure. This helps safeguard the productivity and wellbeing of the future healthcare workforce and, ultimately, improve patient safety.Research supervisors: Dr Rachel Arnold, Professor Mark Wilson, Dr Samuel Vine, Dr Lee Moore, Professor Andy Smith, Professor Peter Turnbull
Email: rjp74@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-peek-19674b18/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/russell_peek
Samantha Eden
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: September 2016
Research topic: An interdisciplinary investigation of the exercise-nutrition- affect relationship
Research supervisors: Dr Javier Gonzalez, Dr Kim Wright
Email: s.l.eden@bath.ac.uk
Sarah Blake
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bristol, School for Policy StudiesStart date: October 2019
Research topic: The impact of Electronic Patient Health Records on patients with potential vulnerabilities and complex needs and their relationship with their healthcare providers.
Our healthcare systems are currently going through vast changes. Possibly some of the most significant transformations since Enlightenment. The medical establishment, the technology industry and patients are integrating in a manner which has not been witnessed before. The technological changes in patient online access to Electronic Patient Health Records (EPHRs) is potentially more convenient for patients, empowers and enables them to take better control of their health and health behaviour, helps them to navigate a complex system, and may make services more efficient and cost effective. But there is also the possibility for unintended harm, particularly related to privacy and confidentiality, and patients with complex needs or potential vulnerabilities could potentially experience significant impacts to their healthcare and relationship with their providers.Research supervisors: Dr Emma Williamson, Dr Andy Gibson, Dr Jeremy Horwood
Email: sarahblake200@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-blake-26426082
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahblake200
Website/Blog: https://sarahblake.co.uk/
Sian Duncan
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing ESRC (1+3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2020
Research topic: The Psychological Response to and Engagement with Climate Change.
I will be studying the role of “negative” emotions and experiences, such as grief, fear, uncertainty, guilt and blame, as well as “positive” aspects, such as mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness, hope and gratitude, and how these experiences relate to peoples’ ability to cope with the climate situation and future predictions. The role of emotions and practices in positive climate action will also be explored.Research supervisors: Dr Elizabeth Marks (Bath), Professor Paul Chadwick (Bath), Dr Catherine Butler (Exeter)
Email: smd71@bath.ac.uk
Stacey Windeatt
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental SciencesStart date: September 2011
Research topic: Social influence and action observation: The role of the actor in promoting recovery
Research supervisors: Dr Mark Tarrant (Exeter), Dr Joanne Smith (Exeter), Dr Afroditi Stathi (Bath)
Email: slmw202@exeter.ac.uk
Tess Legg
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC 1+3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: September 2016
Research topic: Corporate influence on health science
Health policies with potential for a profound effect on health status (such as reducing tobacco/alcohol use, and unhealthy diets) are frequently not being implemented. A major barrier to progress is the influence of corporations who prioritise profit over public health, and whose interests would be threatened by implementation of such policies.Through my research I will create a typology of corporate influence on health science and policy. I will explore the ways in which policy makers evaluate evidence. I will investigate policy infrastructure and draw conclusions about how the use of science in public discourse and policymaking can be improved.
Research supervisors: Professor Anna Gilmore (Bath), Professor Stephan Lewandowsky (Bristol)
Email: tl706@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tess-legg-1902b040
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tess_legg
Victoria Christodoulides
Health and Wellbeing/Health, Wellbing & Society, Student Rep
PhD Researcher in Health and Wellbeing (ESRC +3)
University of Bath, Department for HealthStart date: October 2018
Research topic: A critical and creative exploration of childhood trauma recovery. Knowing-doing trauma-informed public pedagogy.
Victoria Christodoulides is an SWDTP scholarship PhD student within the Health Department at the University of Bath. Victoria’s project focuses on co-exploring how childhood trauma recovery literacies impact understanding and practising of recovery beyond the biomedical. Using co-constructive Participatory Action arts based approaches, Victoria looks to explore how informal public pedagogical spaces can support this extension. Victoria is utilising an interdisciplinary perspective incorporating sociology, policy and the arts with expertise from Universities at Bath and UWE. Working collaboratively with external organisations the project will develop an engaging experience through an exhibition examining these questions within public space. Victoria engages with post-qualitative inquiry and feminist new materialist thought to support the re-imagination of how recovery literacies are conceptualised and utilised, with particular attention to affective pedagogies.Research supervisors: Professor Emma Rich, Dr Alinka Gearon, Professor Leslie Bunt
Professional memberships/Positions held:
Present Health Doctoral Student RepresentativeSocial Research Association
Email: V.A.Christodoulides@bath.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-christodoulides-98885552/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VChrist0
South West Doctoral Training Partnership
