About
My research interests lie in information retrieval for systematic reviews and methodological advances to incorporate considerations of health inequalities in evidence synthesis. I have over 16 years experience of teaching systematic review methodologies in higher education and supervising Master's students undertaking systematic reviews for their dissertations. I am a qualified information specialist and have over 20 years experience in leading information retrieval elements to inform different types of evidence synthesis (e.g. systematic reviews, realist reviews, reviews of complex interventions, critical interpretive synthesis). I have published systematic reviews and systematic review methodological papers. I also have a keen interest in teaching and learning pedagogy and e-learning.
My thesis explored how we can help systematic reviewers, particularly those unfamiliar with health inequalities, to consider health inequalities in evidence synthesis. I have developed a novel approach using two theoretical perspectives (complex interventions and health inequalities) to inform a theory-led meta-framework to help inform considerations of if, and how, socioeconomic status (SES) may moderate intervention effectiveness. Four key domains (intervention design, implementation, context, participant response) and factors associated with differential effects across SES populations were identified. SES theories also identify mechanisms associated with the four key domains.
I specialise in teaching evidence synthesis methodologies related to information retrieval and quality assessment and advise on evidence synthesis grant applications.
Collaborations: LRiG | NIHR ARC North West Coast
Interested in supervising PhD students with an interest in advancing evidence synthesis methodologies or those looking to include a systematic review or other type of evidence synthesis as part of their wider PhD.