Past Research
Public policies, law and bioethics: a framework for producing public health policy across the European Union by examining concepts of European and universal ethical standards (EuroPHEN)
Principal Investigator: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
European Commission, Fifth Framework Programme grant, €1.854,000 (2003-2006)
The aim of this International project was to assess the feasibility & desirability of common approaches to public health within the European Union and internationally within universal ethical standards. The three strands of work were 1. To compare and contrast organisation of public health structures, public health priorities and policy responses to selected public health problems in member states. 2. To identify ethical issues that may arise from tensions between the private and public interest and to analyse these tensions in the context of various ethical theories, principles and traditions. 3. To examine how citizens in different countries weigh competing claims of private and public interest and view the appropriateness of public health intervention at national or European level.
My role was:
- Organisation of EuroPHEN partner meetings
- Qualitative analysis of focus group data from 16 countries
- Contributing to writing of final report and other outputs
Challenges of Biomedicine (CoB)
Principal Investigator: Professor Ulrike Felt, University of Vienna
Principal Investigator at Leeds: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
European Commission 6th Framework Programme €19,000 - for University of Leeds (2003-2007)
This interdisciplinary project explore the interrelation between socio-cultural conditions and ethical and legal arguments of medical research and practice. It posed the question to what extent concepts of identity on the cultural, bioethical and political level are influenced by biomedicine and, conversely, shape and regulate the medical practice themselves.
My role was:
- Qualitative analysis of focus group data
- Contributing to writing of final report
Genetic bio and data banking: Confidentiality and protection of data. Towards a European harmonisation and policy (GeneBanC)
Principal Investigator: Professor Kris Dierickx, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Principal Investigator at Leeds: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
European Commission 6th Framework Programme €200,504 - for University of Leeds (2006-2009)
This research project aimed to investigate the ethical, legal and social issues of three types of biobanks: classical banking, population banking and forensic DNA databases. The workpackage led by University of Leeds focused on the practical, legal and ethical issues faced by population and small scale biobanks and how these have been addressed with the goal of improve governance arrangements.
My role was:
- Organising interviews with biobanks managers in Europe, Australia, Canada and Singapore
- Qualitative analysis of interviews
- Contributing to writing of final report and other outputs
Health and Social Care Needs of people living with HIV
Principal Investigator: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
Leeds City Council and Wakefield Metropolitan Council £30,000 (2008-2009)
This research was commissioned by local government and the NHS to inform service provision for people living with HIV.
My role was assisting with qualitative interviews and administering Q sort
The role of informal networks in spreading knowledge between healthcare managers
Principal Investigator: Vicky Ward
National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation programme £298,917 (2010)
My role was to conduct a literature review on motivational interviewing and liaising with research locations.
Comparing three methods for collecting data about alcohol consumption among secondary schools pupils in Leeds: The Alcohol Data in Leeds Schools (ADILS) study
Principal Investigator: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
NIHR Flexibility and Sustainability Fund, £30,006 (2011-2012)
The aim is to determine the most appropriate method for engaging schools and their pupils in health research and to understand potential participants' motivation for engaging or not engaging with research.
My role was:
- Liaising with schools
- Conducting interviews with teachers and pupils
- Qualitative analysis of interviews
- Writing final report and other outputs
Increasing uptake of NHS funded eye examinations
Principal Investigator: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
NIHR Flexibility and Sustainability Fund £49,878 (2011-12)
Qualitative focus groups organised with community groups in deprived areas of Leeds were conducted to better understand the barriers to uptake of eye tests among high risk groups.
My role was:
- Organising and analysis of focus groups
- Writing final report and other outputs
An exploration of the student experience using Q methodology
Principal Investigator: Laura Stroud, University of Leeds
Teaching Enhancement and Student Support (TESS), University of Leeds £8,000 (2012-2013)
This project utilises Q methodology to explore factors that influence the student experience.
My role was:
- Conducting focus groups and interviews with students
- Contributing to development of statements for the Q sort and administrating the Q sort to students
- Contributing to the interpretation of the Factor Analysis of the Q sort
- Writing final report and other outputs
Testing Eyes in Non-Traditional settings
Principal Investigator: Professor Darren Shickle, University of Leeds
Various funders - NHS Leeds, National Eye Research Centre (Yorkshire), RNIB, Action for Blind People - Total £215,884 (2013-2015)
The objectives of this project were to 1. assess inequalities in the uptake of sight tests, 2. identify barriers to the uptake of sight tests, 3. develop and pilot intervention(s) to address these barriers. The identification of barriers involved focus groups with members of socio-economically deprived communities across Leeds. The intervention that was piloted was called Eye Check and was a not for profit eye health screening programme delivered within deprived communities. It was hoped that providing eye examinations in familiar settings without the sale of spectacles will encourage uptake among people who are intimidated attending a for-profit high street optometrist.
My role was:
- Liaising with community groups to set up the focus groups
- Helping to conduct, analyse and write up the focus groups
- Collect data from Eye Check attendees, including attendees from various ethnic groups and working with a translator where necessary)