Having completed all higher-level education at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), I achieved my PhD in the field of Health Psychology in 2007.  I am currently a Chartered Psychologist working as a Research Fellow on the Reading Together randomised control trial.   My research interests include vulnerable populations, early childhood development and psychosocial interventions for transplant recipients.

I have experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques and analyses with vulnerable hard-to-reach populations including ‘at risk’ parents presenting with socially complex circumstances, looked-after young people, victims of domestic violence, those with substance misuse issues, complex illness-related mental health needs and those with poor sexual health. My research would typically involve conducting face to face interviews, focus groups, participant observations and administration of psychometric tests.

I am also experienced in conducting analysis of administrative data and large datasets and have expertise in using qualitative analysis techniques (such as thematic analysis, Grounded Theory) on a range of data on sensitive topics with service users, service providers and key stakeholders (such as key departmental representatives, social workers, field workers and health professionals). I have worked across a range of study designs, for example, RCT’s feasibility studies, mixed method pre-post test design with follow-ups, qualitative studies, and process evaluations.  I have expertise in conducting literature, scoping, and systematic reviews and in the development and preparation of interview and focus group schedules as well as cross sectional survey design and administration.