Head of the Health Research Methods Unit, the Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research 
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.  Current trials include a Horizon funded trial in the prevention of problematic internet use in young people.  

Working with colleagues in the Centre, across the University, a number of NHS Trusts in the UK, and academic institutions across the world we have established a successful Clinical Trials group, which has successfully delivered more than 10 funded clinical trials, 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.

The group also has a growing programme of work addressing patients experience of care (so called Patient Reported Experience Measures, or PREMs), with a focus on care in Renal services.  This is allied to a wider programme of work developing and understanding measurement in health care settings.

Duties include managing more than 20 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.

• The design and evaluation of complex interventions in health, social care, and public health settings
• Health care measurement, especially the measurement and assessment of patient experience (PREMs).
• 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.
• Adherence, and behaviour change in patients living with long term conditions (Self-Affirmation)
• Longitudinal analytical methods, including medical statistics and appropriate research designs, meta-analysis

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

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