I am a Professor of Health Psychology at Aston University, a Chartered Psychologist and practitioner Health Psychologist, with 30 years of experience of conducting research into the psychological impact of allergies.  My research interests include the health-related quality of life and mental well-being of children, adolescents and parents who are managing allergic conditions and asthma.  I specialise in teaching long-term condition management and psychometric scale development and validation.  I lead on the development of online MSc and BSc programmes in the School of Psychology.

• BSc (hons), Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, 1993
• MA Criminology, University of Keele, 1994
• PhD in Psychology, University of Birmingham, 1999
• MSc with Distinction in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, University of Derby, 2012
• British Psychological Society Level A and B certificates in psychometric testing

• 2024 - present: Professor in Health Psychology, Aston University
• 2017 - 2024: Reader in Psychology, Aston University
• 2013 – 2017: Senior Lecturer, Psychology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University.
• 2002 – 2013: Reader in Health Psychology, Psychology, Derby University.
• 2000 – 2002: Lecturer in Behavioural Science, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham.
• 1998-2000: Research Fellow, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham
• 1995-1998: Research Associate, Psychology Department, University of Birmingham

I am module leader for:

• Psychobiology of Illness and Long Term Conditions (MSc in Health Psychology campus and online)
• Research Project in Health Psychology (online)

• Living with Long-Term Health Conditions (final year optional module for BSc Psychology)

My research interests include the health-related quality of life and mental well-being of children, adolescents and parents who are managing allergic conditions and asthma.  My research group is running projects to improve understanding of allergy management and improve global access to psychological support for food allergy.  We are also currently developing interventions to help patients and families manage food allergy anxiety. I Chair of the Psychology Special Interest Group for the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and sit on the UK Expert Advisory Group for Allergy. I am also a member of European Association for Allergy and Clinical Immunology Task Force groups, including a Task Force to investigate the impact of allergy on adolescents. 

Recent PhD supervision topics include:

• Quality of life in patients with Niemann-Pick C
  
• Risk taking and coping in children and adolescents with food allergy
  
• Adolescent beliefs in food allergy
• Quality of life in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

• Available to supervise PhD students in health or allergy related areas

• Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
• Full member of the BPS Division of Health Psychology
• Registered Health Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
• Member of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Member of the European Academy for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Room: SW611
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 0121 204 3402