Having graduated as an engineer in biological sciences, with a Masters in cellular nutrition and a PhD in sociology, I am a lifelong researcher. As a social scientist, I have expertise in marginalisation, welfare and wellbeing. My work focuses on understanding processes of engagement for groups which are often deemed ‘hard to reach’ or in situations of social or health precarity. I have expertise in a number of research methodologies and I am particularly known for my innovative work in realist approaches to research.

I am founding Director of the Centre for Health and Social Equity; and social justice lead for the NIHR North East North Cumbria Applied Research Collaboration (https://arc-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/).

I am currently co-leading a £1.5M UKRI funded programme of work to help tackle homelessness in the North East and Cumbria, referred to as See Me North

I have also recently undertaken research on women's experiences of homelessness.

I have held awards, as Principal Investigator and collaborator, totalling over £29 million from funders including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the UK Research and Innovation, which focus on knowledge translation and on the experiences of people who are marginalised or find themselves in situation of social or health precarity.

My research is two pronged. On the one hand it focuses on the experiences of marginalisation, in all of its presentations. I also focus on the pragmatic understanding of ‘what works’ in service delivery to cater for those experiences, and meet the needs of people who may have complex and multiple needs. I use theory to explain the vagaries of public health interventions in their broadest possible sense, with a focus on the broader societal and structural determinants of health. As well as embracing postmodern approaches to research, I have expertise in soft system methodology and realist evaluation and synthesis.

I am currently co-leading a £1.5M UKRI funded programme of work to help tackle homelessness in the North East and Cumbria.

I have also recently undertaken research on women's experiences of homelessness.