I am a Senior Research Fellow in Public Policy at Northumbria University.

My research currently focuses on basic income, in particular, understanding its health impact, economic feasibility, public acceptability and the development of narratives capable of persuading opponents. Another key strand of my work lies in examining how basic income can be formulated to take into account the additional needs of disabled people and others. I am currently a CI on an NIHR-funded project following on from work supported by the Wellcome Trust.

I lead-authored a proposal for community-led local basic income pilots in England that received widespread national and international media attention and responses from policymakers across the UK.

Having previously worked in the third sector, my research has often been interdisciplinary, cutting across public health, disability, inclusion, welfare, education and workforce, always with an emphasis on policy development and communication of findings. Throughout, I have managed significant research budgets, forged collaborative relationships and achieved impact, creating sector-wide standards, shaping organisational approaches and influencing national policy. My work has often depended on deploying innovative research and communication methods to include and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups.

An exemplar of my work in the third sector is the Activity Trap. I used this report to create policy proposals and then lobbied Government with national partners to remove disincentives to activity for those on needs-based benefits.

My work has been covered by, among others, the Guardian, the Independent, the Times, the Telegraph, the Spectator, the FT, the BBC, Sky News, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Channel 5 News and CNBC.

My primary research interest is basic income, otherwise known as Universal Basic Income (UBI). Specifically, my work examines the following areas:

• Health impact
• Economic feasibility
• Public acceptability
• Narratives to ‘sell’ the policy
• Additional needs, including those of disabled people

Outside of basic income, I also have expertise on inclusion, disability and inclusive physical activity.