I am a mixed methods behavioural scientist specialising in the development, evaluation and implementation of health interventions to improve outcomes for children and families. My research focuses on parenting, infant health and early childhood care, with a particular emphasis on reducing health inequalities and improving support for families experiencing marginalisation or poverty.

I have an established international research profile, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and more than £1.7 million in competitively awarded research funding. I have held two externally funded NIHR fellowships:

• Launching Fellow (2018–2021) funded through NIHR Research Capability Funding, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.
• NIHR Advanced Fellow (2021–2026): Improving the uptake of safer sleep advice in families with infants at increased risk of sudden infant death.

My NIHR Advanced Fellowship (Baby Sleep Project) involves close collaboration with national policy, clinical and third-sector partners including the National Child Mortality Database, The Lullaby Trust, health visitors, Family Nurse Partnerships, neonatal services and specialist nursing teams. This work has contributed to national discussions around infant mortality prevention and safer sleep practice, with research findings regularly featured in national media coverage (examples here and here).

My research expertise centres on understanding and addressing the social, behavioural and system-level factors that influence infant and early childhood health outcomes. I have particular expertise in reducing modifiable risk factors associated with unexplained infant death, including improving engagement with safer sleep guidance among underserved and higher-risk families.

Methodologically, my work combines behavioural science, implementation research and applied health research methods, including:

• Realist review and realist evaluation approaches to understand how and why interventions work across different contexts.
• Co-production and meaningful public involvement with caregivers and communities experiencing disadvantage.
• Application of behaviour change theory to develop evidence-based interventions for families and health professionals.
• Mixed methods research, qualitative methods, case-control studies, implementation studies, feasibility trial design and systematic reviews.

Alongside my research, I hold several internationally recognised leadership roles within the field of infant health and mortality prevention. I am:

• Chair of The Lullaby Trust Scientific Advisory Committee.
• An elected Board Member of the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID).
• Co-Chair of the ISPID Health Education Working Group.
• Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee for the 2027 ISPID International Conference in Birmingham.

My work is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for infants and families through rigorous, policy-relevant and collaborative research with real-world impact.