About me:

I am a systematic reviewer working within the Exeter Evidence Synthesis Group (Isca Evidence), one of nine research groups in the UK commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Evidence Synthesis Programme to address knowledge gaps or to answer a specific need for health, public health and social care audiences.

This group is nested withing ESMI, where I have worked within various teams since 2016. From 2020-2023 I worked for the Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, and prior to that I worked within the Exeter HS&DR Evidence Synthesis Centre. In each group, we produce systematic reviews of evidence to answer or inform policy-related questions within the remit of health and social care in the UK.

Until January 2016, I worked in Sport & Health Sciences, with particular interest in the biomechanical mechanisms of lower limb injury. I was awarded my PhD in 2014, determining risk factors for the development of lower limb stress fractures in Royal Marines recruits. I worked as an Associate Lecturer in Sport & Health Sciences at the university for six years.

Research specialisms

My area of expertise is systematic reviews, including rapid reviews, quantitative synthesis (including meta analysis) and stakeholder/PPI involvement. I have also worked extensively on mixed methods and qualitative systematic reviews. I am interested in research which has the potential to make a positive change.

Interests:

I am working as a systematic reviewer in the Isca Evidence team. Our team addresses pressing research questions to inform health and social care policy and practice in the UK, using a variety of systematic review methods.

My research interests are broad, and I am predominantly interested in work that can make a difference to service provision and quality of care. I am also interested in research into eczema and food allergies in infants, particularly cow's milk protein allergy, and I continue to work on projects in child mental health and sport and exercise science.

My background is in the biomechanical aspects of lower limb injury, having published papers on biomechanical and anthropometric factors influencing injury risk, and a model of metatarsal bending stress during gait.

Qualifications:

2014 - PhD (University of Exeter) – Biomechanical predictors of tibial and metatarsal stress fractures in Royal Marine recruits

2012 – Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

2007 – MSc (University of Exeter) – Sport and Health Sciences

2005 – BA (University of Durham) – Sport in the Community