About
My overriding interest is in redressing the unequal distribution of power, wealth and resources and its effects on the life chances of populations according to their social position; an interest I have pursued variously as a practitioner, advocate and researcher. I have a BA in modern languages from the University of Wales, College of Cardiff, an MA in Social Work from the University of Liverpool and a PhD at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, funded by an ESRC scholarship. My time with an international NGO, ATD Fourth World, supporting the organisation’s advocacy work to develop national strategies to eradicate poverty, provided the foundation for putting exposure of inequality and injustice at the heart of my work.
My research has explored socioeconomic, educational and health inequalities in the UK, Europe and LMICs. Studies have focussed on: patient access to TB diagnosis and care in Nepal, Yemen, Nigeria and Ethiopia; evaluation of the Sure Start programme (UK), supporting childhood development and wellbeing; and provision for young people with emotional and behavioural needs.
In November 2013, I joined the EU-funded project, Demetriq, led by Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead in the Department of Public Health and Policy, University of Liverpool. With partners at Karolinska Institute, we explored the influence of involving the public in epidemiological public health research on the interpretation of research findings.
Current projects:
• NIHR funded Global Health Research Group on Clean Energy Access for the prevention of Non-communicable disease in Africa through clean Air: CLEAN-AIR(Africa). Working with Kenyan, Ghanaian and Cameroonian research partners the Group will develop a programme of research and capacity building activities to support population transition from polluting solid fuels for cooking to cleaner fuels, to address the substantial burden of disease from NCDs related to exposure to household air pollution.
• NIHR funded Communities in Control study, evaluation of the Big Local programme which seeks to understand the effects of increased collective control capacity of residents in relatively deprived areas on health outcomes and the social determinants of health.