My general research interests are in physical activity and public health, particularly regarding the development and evaluation of complex interventions for behaviour change at the individual, community and population level.

My research involves investgating the role of social networks, incentives (both financial and non-financial) and the built environment for physical activity behaviour change. Current research projects include investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel physical activity loyalty scheme for maintained behaviour change and evaluating the public health impact of a large urban regeneration project (Connswater Community Greenway). 

Most recently I have been awarded a NIHR Career Development Fellowship to investigate the role of social network enabled interventions for physical activity behaviour change involving collaborations with the University of Southern California, Harvard University and the University of Cambridge.

Although primarily focussed on physical activity I am involved in other research projects investigating other behaviours such as smoking, diet, sedentary behaviour and skin cancer awareness.

• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Career Development Fellowship 2015-2017 - Social Network Enabled Interventions for Physical Activity Behaviour Change
• Vice-Chancellor's Early Career Researcher Impact Award 2013
• Best Paper and Best Demonstration at the International e-Health conference, Malaga, 2011 for work entitled "Effectiveness of a novel Physical Activity Loyalty Scheme for Physical Activity Behaviour Change".

Dissertation supervisor

PhD; BSc Human Biology; BSc Biomedical Sciences; BSc Intercalating Medical Sciences.

SSC Programme

I am module co-ordinator for four SSC modules regarding Community Healthcare Issues. The modules involve medical students undertaking 3-week placements with local community organisations and introduces students to the role that the community and voluntary sector play in health. Key learning objectives include understanding the role of the community worker, understanding the basic principles of community development, and appreciating the social and economic issues affecting specific communities.

I also deliver lectures and tutorials on the following SSCs:

• Lifestyle through the Lifecycle
• Physical Activity

Other teaching roles

I deliver several tutorials and lectures on population research, study designs/research methodology, health promotion and physical activity to undergraduate Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science students.