I am a Research Fellow in the NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre hosted by the Centre for Primary Care. I originally joined the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester in January, 2008. I had previously completed a BA (Hons), MA in Psychology and a MSc in Global Health at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland. During the MSc I worked as the Tuberculosis Photovoice intern at the Health and Development Networks in Thailand. The Health and Development Networks is a non-profit organisation aimed at increasing the voices of those affected by HIV and TB through information, dialogue and advocacy to promote participant led dialogue within local communities, with policy makers and at the international level.
I was awarded the National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development fellowship to complete a PhD titled "Evolving ‘self’-management? A qualitative study of the role of social networks for chronic illness management in primary care." Through the PhD I explored the role of the social networks for individuals with long term conditions and used a qualitative social network approach. Co-morbidity also emerged as an important issue. I was awarded my PhD in 2011. I have since led a number of projects that explore various aspects of long term condition management and my current role is as a Research Fellow for the NIHR Greater Manchester Primary Care Patient Safety Translational Research Centre involved in research about patient safety in General Practice.