Research
Global Mental Health
I have a strong interest in Global Mental Health. I was a co-editor of the ‘Palgrave Handbook for Global Mental Health: Socio-cultural Perspectives’ (http://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9781137395092). I am involved in research collaborations with the WHO and UNHCR investigating the efficacy of psychological interventions for refugees in low-income countries (http://www.elrha.org/map-location/who-psychosocial-selfhelp-call2/) and across the EU (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/213037_en.html). This includes an interest in the processes involved in the linguistic/cultural adaptation of psychological therapies. I was a co-investigator on the AHRC funded 'Researching Multilingually at the Borders of language, the Body, Law and State' project (http://researching-multilingually-at-borders.com/) and 'Idioms of distress, resilience and wellbeing' (http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=AH%2FP009786%2F1) projects.
Investigating acceptance based psychological interventions for psychosis
I have extensive experience of conducting research investigating the emotional impact that the experience of psychosis can have on people. In recent years, I have secured research funding to conduct randomised controlled trials and process evaluations of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for promoting emotional adaptation following psychosis. I was Principal Investigator on the first ever blind RCT of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for psychosis, which led to further grant funding being secured to conduct further trials. I am committed to exploring the role that acceptance-based interventions (including ACT and mindfulness-based interventions) can play in promoting emotional regulation across a range of psychological and somatic symptoms.
Research grants
Peacebuilding and Resilience in an era of global health challenges: a bilateral research call to enhance understanding and support for mental health challenges in Colombia
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2021 - July 2023
'Understanding and addressing the mental health of older adults in Colombia: The impact of stressful life events
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2021 - January 2024
Treating common mental disorders in Congolese refugees in Uganda and Rwanda: Culturally adapting and evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of community-based sociotherapy
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2018 - March 2022
Feasibility study for a proposed trial of an evidence-based low intensity psychosocial intervention delivered by lay therapists for asylum seekers and refugees(PROSPER).
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
September 2018 - June 2021
Re-define:Refugee Emergency: DEFining and Implementing Novel Evidence-based psychosocial interventions
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
January 2018 - December 2020
Researching Multilingually at the Borders of Language, the Body, Law and the State
ARTS AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2014 - March 2017
Idioms of Distress, Resilience and Well-Being: Enhancing understanding about mental health in multilingual contexts
ARTS AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2016 - July 2017