My research interests include social policy, poverty and disadvantage, social and health inequity, the social determinants of health, austerity and changes to the welfare state and social justice. I'm interested in policy-relevant research findings to inform policy and practice for positive social change.

Before starting my PhD (completed 2015), I worked as a Senior Research Officer for the Home Office (Crime and Community Safety) for seven years, in research and policy roles for local government and the third sector, and in housing management roles for local authorities and housing associations. I completed a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and training (literacy specialism) and gained experience teaching functional English to adults in the community and at a male prison in the North East region. 

I'm a member of the Tyne and Wear Citizens UK Living Wage Action Team, an Associate member of Fuse (Centre for translational research in public health) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.