Research interests:

1. Co-designing shared decision-making interventions for women with long-term health conditions and their healthcare teams in relation to family planning, pregnancy, and infant feeding
2. Infection-prevention and management behaviour for common infections, focusing on perception of risk, point-of-care testing, antibiotic stewardship, and vaccination
3. Inter-disciplinary, mixed-methods and co-production approaches to the development and evaluation of complex interventions that involve behaviour change

My current research focuses on supporting person-centered and evidence-based communication about health. Effective communication between patients and members of the public on the part of health professionals, public health practitioners and governments is essential in changing health behaviour. This enables individuals and communities to make more informed choices about health-related behaviour and treatment options that align with their unique needs, values and preferences. I specialise in behaviour change in the context of reproductive health and infectious diseases, where decisions are often complex and sensitive, requiring a holistic approach that takes into account multiple factors and systems.

I have a sustained record of grant capture amounting to a total of £8 million over the course of my career. I lead and contribute to inter-disciplinary teams that include patients and members of the public, experts in social and biomedical scientists, health professionals, educators, policy-makers, methodologists, economists, and statisticians. I am experienced in managing large multi-site inter-disciplinary studies, such as the PROMISE clinical trial (n=5,503 in 28 clusters, Stallard et al, 2014) and the COVID-19 Public Experiences Study (COPE, n=11,113, Phillips et al, 2020). I work across a range of clinical and community settings, currently working closely with NHS partners in the All-Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service; Endocrinology, Oncology and Rheumatology services in Cardiff and Vale UHB, and Public Health Wales and associated UK-wide clinical and research networks.