From project design to dissemination, I help organisations build trusted relationships with families and ensure lived experience shapes research, services and innovation.
As an experienced Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead and community engagement co-ordinator, I specialise in:
- building relationships and engaging with parents and community groups
- developing and facilitating parent panels and discussion groups
- planning and advising on involvement, engagement and communication strategies
- creating content, resources and dissemination information
- co-ordinating projects and involvement events
- providing ongoing engagement and guidance for parents
- research communications and dissemination
- translating research into accessible content and resources
My research roles include working with a range of universities and NHS Trusts, along with providing training and support for NIHR and Newcastle Health Research Partnerships.
My current research work includes:
- SHAPES & SHAPES-Bio maternity studies: PPIE Lead
- NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium: PPIE Lead & Co-applicant
- PEPA maternity study: Co-applicant
- NECTAR paediatric dental study: PPIE Lead
- Lived Experience Academy project: Project Co-ordinator, CNTW NHS Trust
- NIHR Research Support Service: developing a community engagement model for maternity and family research
- Newcastle Health Research Partnership: PPIE training for researchers
- Northumbria University: PPIE training for midwives
- Organising and facilitating PPIE sessions for maternity & family researchers from a range of organisations: Birmingham University, Cambridge University, Newcastle NHS Trust, Newcastle University, Northumbria University & South Tees NHS Trust
“With a personalised conversation‑led approach, informed by my experience as an antenatal and postnatal practitioner, I focus on building connections with parents and creating opportunities for them to be involved, feel valued, and have their voices heard.”
Key Projects
SHAPES & SHAPES Bio Maternity Studies
PPIE Lead
Newcastle University
From 2018
- developed and delivered a parent involvement strategy.
- organised and facilitated parent discussion groups.
- supported researchers to embed meaningful public involvement and engagement.
- maintained regular communication with parents throughout the study.
- developed a research communications and engagement strategy.
Impact: Embedded parent involvement throughout the project, helping to shape the research design, support participant recruitment, co-produce public-facing resources and website content, and contribute to dissemination activities that raised awareness of the research and its potential impact.
Community Engagement Model
PPIE Lead & engagement co-ordinator
NIHR Research Support Service
From 2024
- developed a community engagement model for maternity and family health research.
- established relationships with local parent and community groups.
- created and managed a parent research panel to support involvement and engagement activities.
- organised and facilitated research discussion sessions between researchers and parents.
Impact: Established a sustainable community engagement model and parent research panel, providing researchers with access to PPIE support for research development, study design, and funding applications.
NECTAR paediatric dental study
PPIE Lead
Newcastle University
From 2026
- Developed a PPIE strategy to guide involvement and engagement activities.
- Established a family panel involving parents and children.
- Organised and facilitated discussion groups.
- Developed a communications approach to keep families informed and engaged throughout the study.
Impact: Parent involvement has been embedded from the start and will continue to inform and shape the project, to support recruitment and to create public-facing resources and web content.
Maternity Disparities Consortium
PPIE Lead for Theme 2: Pregnancy, Birth and Early Postnatal Maternal Health
PPIE Lead for Cardiometabolic Pathway work packages
Newcastle University, Manchester University, Sheffield Hallam University
From 2026
- I will be developing a PPIE strategy to guide involvement and engagement activities for the Cardiometabolic Pathway work packages
- I will be providing PPIE strategic oversight for Theme 2 to advise, monitor and evaluate involvement and engagement
My involvement and engagement work is different for every project but at its heart is connecting with parents and families so they can share their experiences and perspectives, so they can feel part of studies by helping to inform and shape the different stages of research.
I am passionate about conversations that matter, providing safe spaces and the time for sharing and for discussion. And it is important to work with parents and families from different communities, to build those relationships and to value everyone’s contributions.
It’s a real privilege to hear everyone’s story and their feedback, thoughts and comments and to see the difference this makes to research development, delivery and dissemination.
If you would like to know more about involving families and parents in your research, I would love to work with you.