Research interests
As a large and diverse group, TARG have a number of research interests. Here you can find out about each workstream and what we are studying.
TARG is structured around several interlinked workstreams
TARG Directors (Angela Attwood, Marcus Munafò, Olivia Maynard and Ian Penton-Voak)
Workstream 1: Epidemiology and Causal Inference
Workstream 2: Experimental Medicine and Mechanism
Workstream 3: Field Trials and Interventions
Workstream 4: Meta-Research
Workstream 1: Epidemiology and Causal Inference
Workstream Leads: Jasmine Khouja and Zoe Reed
The
Epidemiology and Causal Inference workstream is broadly focused on the associations between health behaviours and mental health. We use secondary data sources including the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (
ALSPAC) and the
UK Biobank. As well as classic epidemiology methods, we also use genetic epidemiology, and in particular Mendelian randomisation, to infer causality.
Researchers and students
Alex Andrayas, Amy Campbell, Benji Woolf, Olly Bastiani, Eimear Foley, Catherine Rolls.
Affiliate members and visitors
Robyn Wootton, Hannah Sallis, Anya Skatova, Gemma Hammerton, Stephanie Von Hinke, Kayleigh Easey, Elena Raffetti, Agnes Kessling, Chloe Burke, Laura Schellhas
Collaborators
MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit
Workstream 2: Experimental Medicine and Mechanism
Workstream Lead: Charlotte Crisp
The Experimental Medicine and Mechanism workstream is broadly focused on data collection in controlled laboratory settings. We aim to: (a) identify mechanisms underlying mental and physical health, (b) develop/refine self-report, physiological, and behavioural measures, and (c) identify targets for intervention and assess their feasibility in the real world.
Researchers and students
Chris Stone, Mary-Kate Nealon, Laura Chapman, Kimberley Beaumont, Kasia Wezowski, Rumeysa Kuruoglu, Felicia Frennesson, Eszter Vigh, Sameer Alladin
Affiliate members and visitors
Helen Bould
Collaborators
Cambridge Cognition
Workstream 3: Field Trials and Interventions
Workstream Leads: Jennifer Ferrar and Claire Garnett
The Field Trials and Interventions workstream research and investigate the impact on behaviour of both targeted and population-level interventions. Data collection is conducted in a range of settings, including the Psychological Science research laboratories, local schools, nightclubs and festivals, and field studies examine interventions in naturalistic settings, including shops and bars. This research uses quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods.
Researchers and students
Katie De-loyde, Hazel Morfett, Milly Johnston, Adam Holland, Sarah Wilkie-Ryan
Affiliate members and visitors
Catherine Macleod-Hall, Jonathan De Oliveira, Claire Durant, Masha Remskar, Vicky Carlisle
Collaborators
Behaviour Change by Design – University of Cambridge
Workstream 4: Meta-Research
Workstream Leads: Jackie Thompson and Pen-Yuan Hsing
The Meta-Research workstream focuses on improving the robustness, transparency, and efficiency of scientific research. Topics include Registered Reports, preregistration, prediction markets, incentives in academia, statistical practice, reporting standards, checklist and guidelines, open research and transparency, and research culture more broadly. We prioritise developing and testing solutions aimed at improving research outputs and the research ecosystem.
Researchers and students
Lorna Duncan, Rosalind Strang, Anna Ploszaski, Nick Beazley-Long
Affiliate members and visitors
Robert Thibault, Lydia Wheeler
Collaborators
The UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN)
Data Capture
Data Capture and Digital Methods is a cross-cutting theme developing novel approaches to capturing the variety of data of interest to researchers in the group – everything from molecules to behaviours. It supports a wide and varied portfolio of research projects across the group, while at the same time horizon scanning and collaborating with other world leading teams to bring innovative data capture technologies and techniques into the Unit. The Theme’s research interests include sensing health behaviours using wearable digital devices, crowd-sourcing of cognitive and behavioural data collection, continuous bio-sensing, low energy sensing technologies, on-body video capture, novel dietary assessment and technologies for behaviour change interventions
