Karen Lorimer

Research Fellow in Public Health

T: 0141 331 8860
E: karen.lorimer@gcu.ac.uk

BA (Hons), MPhil, PhD, PGCAP

Karen is affiliated to the new Institute for Applied Health Research. She graduated from University of Paisley in 2000 (B.A. Hons, Applied Social Studies) and went on to do the MPhil in Social Science Research at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2001.

Both theses were qualitative and considered young people's sexual behaviour from the point-of-view of wider social influences. Karen then gained her Ph.D. in Community Based Sciences from the University of Glasgow in 2006. Her thesis was entitled: Non-Medical Approach to Screening Young Men and Women for Chlamydia trachomatis.  In 2008, Karen completed the PGCert in Academic Practice at the University of Glasgow.

She took up the post of Research Fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Health in 2009.

Research interests

•    Risk behaviour for STIs
•    Social and behavioural dimensions of sexual health
•    Methods for reaching hard-to-reach populations
•    Impact of technology on sexual behaviour and sexual health
•    Health methodology

Publications

Lorimer K, Gray CM, Hunt K, Wyke S, Anderson AS, Benzeval M. Response to written feedback of clinical data within a longitudinal study:  a qualitative study exploring the ethical implications. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2011, 11:10; doi:10.1186/1471-2288-11-10.

K Lorimer, G Hart. Knowledge of chlamydia trachomatis among men and women approached to participate in community-based screening, Scotland, UK. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:794; doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-794.

Lorimer K: Pilot qualitative analysis of the psychosocial factors which drive young people to decline chlamydia testing in the UK: implications for health promotion and screening (e-letter). Int J STD AIDS 2010, 21(5):379a.

Reid ME, Lorimer K,  Norman JE, Bollapragada SS, Norrie J. Women’s satisfaction with isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) for cervical ripening before the induction of labour, taken in the home setting. In Press. (Midwifery DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2009.11.003)

K Lorimer, M Benzeval, M Green, D Shipton. West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study:  Health in the Community – Fieldwork Report 2007/8.

Lorimer K, Reid ME, Hart G.  Willingness of young men and women to be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in three non-medical settings, in Glasgow, UK.  Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care; 2009; 35:1, 21-26.

Lorimer K, Reid ME, Hart G.  'It has to speak to people's everyday life.':  Qualitative Study of Men and Women's Willingness to Participate in a Non-Medical Approach to Chlamydia trachomatis Screening. Sex Transm Infect 2009; 85; 201-205.

PK Lorgelly, K Lorimer, E Fenwick, AH Briggs; The Capability Approach: developing an instrument for evaluating public health interventions:  Final report; Glasgow Centre for Population Health; 2008.

Lorimer K. What about the screening process? (e-letter). Journal of Family Practice, 2006:23.

Lorimer, K. (2006) Community Based Approach to Screening Young Men and Women for Chlamydia trachomatis [PhD]. Public Health & Health Policy. Glasgow:  University of Glasgow.

Lorimer, K., Reid, M., Hart, G.; Willingness of Young Men and Women to be Tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in Non-medical Settings (abstract); Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health; 2005; Vol 59 (Suppl 1): A1-A29.

Lorimer, K.; Community-based approaches to screening young men and women for C. trachomatis; Chief Scientist Office Annual Report 2004-2005; Scottish Executive, Edinburgh. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/0794138/41427

Presentations and posters

Gray, C.M., Lorimer, K., Anderson, A.S., Benzeval, M., Hunt, K., Wyke, S (2009) ‘What’s In a Word? Response to weight status terminology and motivation to lose weight’, paper presented at European Public Health Association (EUPHA) Conference, Andel’s Hotel, Lodz, Poland, 25-28 November 2009.

Gray, C.M., Anderson, A.S., Lorimer, K., Benzeval, M., Hunt, K., Wyke, S (2009) ‘What’s In a Word? Implications of response to weight status terminology for effective health promotion’, poster presented at National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference, The International Convention Centre, Birmingham, 4-7 October 2009.

K Lorimer, M Benzeval, Gray, C.M., Anderson, A.S.,  Hunt, K., Wyke, S (2009) ‘Providing written feedback of weight and cholesterol measures in the most recent wave of a twenty-year longitudinal study:  exploring the methodological implications, paper presented at BSA Medical Sociology Conference, University of Manchester, Manchester, 3-5 September 2009.

K Lorimer, M Benzeval. (2009) ‘Reducing attrition in a longitudinal study – the role of tracing:  evidence from the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study’, poster presented at Annual Scientific Meeting, Society for Social Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, 9-11 September 2009.

Lorimer, K. Lorgelly, P. K. Fenwick, E. Briggs, A; (2007) ‘Using mixed methods to operationalise the capability approach: an application in public health’, paper presented at Human Development and Capability Association Annual Conference, The New School, New York City, 16-20 September 2007.

Lorimer, K. Lorgelly, P. K. Fenwick, E. Briggs, A; (2007) ‘How capable are we at evaluating public health interventions?’, paper presented at European Urban Research Association (eura) 10th Anniversary Conference ‘The Vital City’, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, 12–14 September 2007.

Lorimer, K (2005) ‘Willingness of young men and women to be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis in non-medical settings’, Plenary paper presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting, Society for Social Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, 14-16 September 2005.

Lorimer, K (2004) ‘Community-based approach to screening young men and women for Chlamydia trachomatis’ paper presented at BSA Medical Sociology Conference, University of York, York, September 2004.