Head of the Health Research Methods Unit, the Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research
Hertfordshire lead of the NIHR East of England Research Design Service.  
Director of the University of Hertfordshire Clinical Trials Support Network, 

The focus of my career has been on supporting the development of programmes of applied health research in the boundary between physical and mental health.  In particular I have contributed actively to the development of several programmes of work addressing distress in patients living with long-term-conditions such as End Stage Renal Disease, and on the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Working with colleagues in the Centre, across the University and a number of NHS Trusts in the UK, we have established a successful Clinical Trials group, which has successfully delivered 12 externally funded clinical trials with two currently ongoing and one in set-up (2023), attracting funding in excess of £20 million over the past 15 years.  The CTSN will be established as an independent Clinical Trials Unit in due course.

Duties include managing the 22 research staff in the Centre, and ensuring that the Centre expands its range of externally funded high quality, high impact research activity. In doing so, expanding the profile of research aligned to the University Health and Well-being theme, underpinned by a vibrant research culture.

• Psychosocial aspects of living with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and other long-term conditions (IBD, Diabetes), and
  • The assessment of quality of life in these patients
• Choosing conservative management and end-of-life care for patient with ESRD.
• Concordance, adherence, and behaviour change in patients living with long term conditions (Self-Affirmation)
• The design and evaluation of psychological interventions
• Longitudinal analytical methods, including medical statistics and appropriate research designs, meta-analysis

Head of the Health Reserach Methods Unit, and the Clinccal Trials Support Network

Associate Director, NIHR East of England Research Design Service, Essex and Hertfordshire

Reviewer for NIHR HTA, PGfAR, RfPB, and HSDR. 

Reviewer for Kidney International, Clinical Oncology, Journal of Health Psychology, Psychology Health and Medicine, International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice