PhD profiles

Interventions to improve walking/mobility in stroke survivors: a Cochrane overview

Summary of PhD

The aims of this PhD are to conduct a Cochrane Overview of systematic reviews of interventions to improve walking/mobility after stroke and develop ways of presenting summaries of evidence aimed at supporting knowledge translation.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I work as a clinical physiotherapist and I recognize the value and the impact of research in improve everyday practice. Now, after 20 years of practice, it is time for me to set new personal and professional goals that would give the possibility to expand knowledge of the rehabilitation science.

Why did you choose GCU?

Glasgow Caledonian University represents the ideal Institution to continue my studies and become the researcher I would like to be. The research team of this University is composed of worldwide-acknowledged leaders in the development of systematic reviews and the possibility to learn and work for them excites and inspires me.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

Earning a PhD would add critical and creative skills in planning and conducting research and skills in communicating its results. I made the decision to become a researcher, focusing on how to improve the quality and the efficacy of care; promoting a stricter relation between clinicians, researchers and the people who experienced a stroke.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Be constantly enthusiast of your research and be conscious that your (our) work must have an impact in improving other peoples’ life.

Exploring the role of dance in health promotion for people with multiple sclerosis in Scotland

Summary of PhD

In partnership with Scottish Ballet Health’s novel dance for multiple sclerosis programme, Elevate™, I will explore the potential of community-based and digital dance programmes to promote the health and well-being of people living with MS across Scotland.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

My background in professional ballet, neuromotor rehabilitation research, and participatory dance health programming has led me to undertake my Ph.D. here in Glasgow in partnership with Scottish Ballet Health.

Why did you choose GCU?

The co-tutelle arrangement established between GCU and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland uniquely provides the ideal resources and supervision for me to pursue my research at the intersection of dance and health.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I would like to be based at an academic research institution and continue to partner with external arts organizations to facilitate arts and health research in clinical, care, and community settings.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Pursuing a Ph.D. is a big commitment, so ensure that whatever topic and university you choose are true to you and your interests.

The Implementation of the Goal Setting and Action Planning (G-AP) Framework in Community Rehabilitation Settings. A Process Evaluation

Summary of PhD

This PhD is 3-Phase mixed methods study.  The focus in Phase 1 is the pre-implementation context of 3 specialist NHS Lanarkshire community rehabilitation teams working with patients who have a diagnosis of stroke, other neurological conditions or brain injury.  It explores the perspectives of staff, managers and patients focusing on the nature and set up of each team; their usual goal setting practice and factors that are likely to help or hinder the process of implementing the G-AP framework.

The focus of Phase 2 is to evaluate the (i) G-AP online training and supporting Webinars from the perspective of rehabilitation staff and managers (ii) the extent to which G-AP training has prepared staff for early implementation efforts and (iii) to identify any factors likely to help or hinder sustained implementation.

Phase 3 will explore the extent to which teams are routinely implementing G-AP in the longer term (6 months post training) and the contextual factors that have influenced this from the perspective of staff, managers and patients .

The study is theoretically underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science (Damschroder 2009) and Normalisation Process Theory (May 2009).

The PhD aims to add an original contribution to G-AP research because it will explore G-AP’s acceptability and feasibility to use with stroke patients and other patient groups with a neurological condition e.g. brain injury, MS and MND. It also aims to add to the wider implementation science knowledge base regarding the implementation of new complex interventions into health care settings.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I worked as an Occupational Therapist in the Forth Valley area since graduating from Brighton University in 2000.  The majority of this experience was in the area of Stroke Rehabilitation. It has always been very important for me to keep my practice based in current research evidence. I became interested in how new evidence-based interventions were or were not successfully implemented into the healthcare setting that I was working in. In 2018 I completed an NES AHP fellowship studying person centred goal setting practice in the stroke unit.  This helped me to develop further research, development and leadership skills.  The combination of these factors led me to undertake this PhD.

Why did you choose GCU?

I have long been aware that GCU has a record of excellence in research and student support because I graduated from GCU in 1994 with an Honours degree in Social Sciences (Psychology and Sociology).  The Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (NMAHP-RU) is extremely highly regarded and I could see that this was an excellent opportunity.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

Although I am currently unsure about the direction of my career following this PhD, I am interested in a role that spans both clinical practice skills and research skills.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

1. Perspective: separate yourself from the research; zoom out to look at it from a new perspective; laugh at yourself, remember to have a sense of humour
2. Clarity and focus: triple check your work for ambiguity; expand your thoughts as required to allow them make sense to others; return frequently to the research question.
3. Dissemination requires being bold and confident.
4. Scheduling: set a schedule and pace yourself.
5. Communicate: beexplicit about your style of communication.  Be honest with supervisors ‘It’s helpful for me to know what I’ve done well as well as what I’ve not.’

Upper Limb Rehabilitation using Virtual Reality in Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Summary of PhD

Improving arm and hand function is a high priority for people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Even small improvements in arm and hand function can reduce reliance on others for self-care. Virtual Reality (VR) has been used to deliver arm and hand rehabilitation in different clinical conditions, but has limited evidence in SCI, particularly in the acute stage.

This PhD aims to develop a framework for classifying upper limb impairment in people with cervical SCI and map these impairments to specific rehabilitation tasks. This framework will then be used to develop a suite of exercise-based games in VR using the Oculus Quest VR system. People with SCI and their therapists will advise on the development of a VR-based intervention in a series of co-design stages. Finally, a randomised controlled feasibility study of the intervention as a form of upper limb rehabilitation in people with SCI will be conducted.

This PhD is funded by Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research’s (SMSR) Life After Paralysis grant. SMSR support research in 4 priority areas:

• Urinary Tract Infection,
• Pressure Ulcers,
• Neuropathic Pain,
• Assistive Technology for Upper Limb Function

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I completed my undergraduate degree in biological sciences at the University of Birmingham in 2015. Before graduating, I undertook an intercalated year in computer science, and found an interest in medical visualisation. In particular, I enjoyed using 3D production software to produce medical animations. Medical visualisation became a hobby of mine, and I found the intersection of technology and health sciences fascinating.

I went on to work in in clinical research at a contract research organisation, after which I enrolled on the Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy MSc course provided jointly by the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow. For my master’s thesis I designed and developed a virtual interactive anatomy learning suite using the HTC Vive VR system. The rapid growth of VR has been hard to ignore, and during my masters I was reading and hearing about many of the emerging applications of this technology.

From 2018 to the end of 2021 I worked as an NHS research and development technician for Oxford Cognitive Approaches to Psychosis, a research group based at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford. I provided technical support for clinical trials using VR interventions to treat mental health patients, as well as assisting in the design and development of VR-based research within the department. After my work concluded, I was eager to look for similar roles in research, and applied for this PhD studentship in November 2020.

Why did you choose GCU?

GCU provided the opportunity to undertake applied research in a field that I find interesting which, if successful. could have tangible benefits to patients. Funding for this PhD was also made available through Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I don’t have a plan! After my PhD I might consider any opportunity – careers in either academia or the private sector would both interest me. Having the chance to continue this research beyond the feasibility study would be great. I would be very happy to see any products of this work used effectively in NHS services, both in in-patient and community settings. A lot would have to happen before that point, and maybe I could help work towards that.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

I don’t have anything to say here! Talk to someone who has finished their PhD, not to someone who has just started.  https://www.findaphd.com/ - this website is where I found this studentship advertised. Take a look and search for any opportunities that interest you.

Life after stroke: lessons from narratives of survival, managing change and overcoming adversity

Summary of PhD

My research set out to explore insights into what enables stroke survivors to rebuild their lives and identities positively. In order to achieve this a two-phased research project was devised. The phase one study is a qualitative study that aims to synthesize stroke survivors’ experiences to further understand the process of reconfiguring post-stroke identity and how individual and social factors can help, or hinder, this process. The purpose of the phase two study was to co-create digital stories, with stroke survivors from the phase one study, that aim to increase empathy and encourage behaviour change amongst healthcare professionals working with people after stroke.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I have always been interested in illness experiences and the impact this can have on individuals as they navigate a social environment that is often not accommodating or understanding of their needs. As I have a background in Social Sciences and Media, this PhD interested me as it offered to not only increase understanding of stroke survivors’ experiences of life after stroke, but to co-create a dissemination strategy with the participants to raise awareness about issues that matter to them most.

Why did you choose GCU?

I studied at GCU during my undergraduate studies and I always found the staff that I worked with to be very engaging and supportive. As a result, having the opportunity to continue my education at GCU was an easy choice for me.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

Stroke deserves greater attention across society and I would like to contribute to raising awareness about the importance of stroke and shine a light on the experiences of survivors.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Conducting PhD research can feel like quite a scary and lonely experience at times, it’s easy to feel like you’re out of your depth. However, many PhD researchers feel the same! I found it important to speak to people about this, whether that’s family, friends, colleagues or supervisors. It’s important to keep things in perspective and acknowledge when you’ve done something good! You’re always learning and it’s okay not to know something.

Upper limb activity limitation after stroke: standardising severity levels for clinical practice and research

Summary of PhD

The aim of my PhD is to develop a model showcasing the different levels of upper limb impairment and activity limitations following a stroke. This will be achieved through critical evaluation and synthesis of the literature relating to descriptors of levels of upper limb impairment and activity limitation after stroke. I aim to appraise the literature from the perspectives of different stakeholders, including: stroke survivors, carers and health professionals. From there, I would make recommendations for designing a standardised model that is not only clinically meaningful, but valid and feasible for both routine clinical practice and research. The model itself could enable clinicians to describe levels of loss in arm function and carefully select appropriate interventions for different levels of function and ability. The model could also be used to compare findings across studies, which could facilitate data pooling to strengthen the evidence base supporting guidelines.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

Since completing my undergraduate BSc, I maintained a strong interest in research, therefore I grabbed the opportunity to refine my research skills by completing a post-graduate MSc in Physiotherapy at GCU in 2014/15. Following completion of my MSc I was keen to develop my skills further, and become more of an independent researcher.  This PhD opportunity represented an interesting continuation of my previous MSc Thesis (‘The effectiveness of robot-assisted upper limb therapy in adults with acute stroke’) and therefore I applied for the PhD scholarship.

Why did you choose GCU?

I was enthusiastic of the international and welcoming environment at GCU and the high quality of research I found at SHLS during my MSc studies. Further, having to take on family responsibilities, I was given the opportunity to work remotely even before the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, the availability of a fully-funded PhD project and the possibility to develop a research topic of my interest were crucial in my choice.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I look forward to submitting my PhD Thesis and to further pursue my research topic by taking up a post-doc position. By becoming an experienced and independent researcher, I also aim at securing an academic position in the future.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

A PhD journey requires a lot of patience and dedication. Therefore, it is important to choose a research area for which you are strongly motivated. Use networking to find the research groups which better connect with your professional interests. Never be shy to ask and do not be scared to apply for PhD opportunities. Never stop dreaming!

System based approach for ageing well

Summary of PhD

System based thinking is fast becoming the dominant paradigm for the coproduction of policies and interventions in public health. System based approach combines personal, behavioural, environmental, economic, social, policy data to describe and quantify the web of determinants of ageing well. I aim to take a data science approach to (1) develop a system map of the determinants of ageing well, (2) use big data to quantify relationship between determinants of ageing well in the system and (3) develop simulations to inform policy and action planning to promote ageing well within public health.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

What got me interested in this PhD was basically the interdisciplinary nature of the project aiming to use big data approaches in healthcare where it is highly underutilized.

Why did you choose GCU?

The initiative of this unique project just reflected how much GCU is actually looking to make a difference. In addition, the vibrant city of Glasgow was another reason.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I plan on increasing the use of big data science approaches in the medical field especially in public health in order to inform policy decisions to achieve  UN SDG Goals and better health for all.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Follow your passions no matter what and enjoy what you do.

Enabling Technology for evidence-based co-creation

Summary of PhD

This PhD project consists in developing technologies that will improve, enrich and/or enable the co-creation process. For this, it is necessary to know the needs, the problems encountered and the tools that already exist. Then, it is necessary to develop the most promising technologies that will allow the process to be carried out in an optimal way, ensuring its values and integrity. This work is situated between cognitive sciences, public health and computer sciences.

This PhD is part of the Health CASCADE project (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020) which is a multidisciplinary expert network with young researchers from around the world, funded to deliver together the rigorous scientific methodology to secure Co-creation as an effective tool to fight public health problems.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I am passionate about Science (with a capital "S"). I like to approach it in a multidisciplinary way to have different angles on a same problem and to develop an innovative vision. Finally, I wish to have a concrete and positive impact by doing applied research.

Why did you choose GCU?

GCU proposed the position that interests me the most. Moreover, it is a small university with a human dimension. This is already a characteristic that I liked in my last university. Finally, I find myself very much in its philosophy "For the common good".

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I have several ideas in mind: academic path (post-doc, etc.), private company, public structure or founding my own company. The idea is to see what opportunities will arise, but to do this we must actively create an environment to provoke them. This is what these years are for.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

The PhD is a great adventure, where you will learn a lot. To ensure the best conditions for your success, I would advise you to meet three conditions: (1) an exciting topic; (2) a scholarship or grant; (3) a professional supervisor. With this, you will have the material resources to put your motivation optimally to good use, all under the guidance of a mentor. You will be able to give your best.

HEADS: UP Aphasia.A co-creation study to develop an aphasia-friendly adaptation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention for stroke survivors and their family members

Summary of PhD

HEADS: UP Aphasia is a PhD study funded by the Stroke Association and it is a complementary project of HEADS: UP. HEADS: UP, Helping Ease Anxiety and Depression following Stroke, is an ongoing research at GCU let by Prof Maggie Lawrence and aimed to devise an adapted Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction course for stroke survivors and their family members (https://bit.ly/3LlGqcu). My PhD is about co-creating a further adaptation of HEADS: UP to make it accessible for individuals with post-stroke aphasia. I work under the supervision of Prof Maggie Lawrence, Prof Madeleine Grealy, Prof Anja Lowit and Ms Gill Pearl. As part of my PhD I established an ongoing collaboration with an Advisory Group of people with direct and indirect experience of aphasia who provide me with insight into living with aphasia on a daily basis, and support with many research steps. The course adaptation is developed in collaboration with a group of people living with aphasia and their family members, and a multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise in aphasia, stroke, Mindfulness and research. This PhD study aims to make an original contribution by directly involving people with experience of aphasia in the development of an aphasia-friendly Mindfulness-based course and make this accessible to people with post-stroke aphasia.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

As a Speech and Language Therapist by background I have always been interested in supporting individuals with communication difficulties to achieve a high quality of life. Research has always fascinated me as it offers opportunities to promote better understanding of complex topics and promote changes in practice. During a MSc I completed at the University of Sheffield, I had the chance to develop my own research project and increase my knowledge about several research processes.

Working for 18 months as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in the Acute and Rehabilitation Stroke Units at the Royal Derby Hospital helped me gain a stronger insight into life after stroke. Assisting people with aphasia from the early days until 3-4 months post-stroke increased my awareness of the significant impact of stroke and aphasia on individuals’ engagement in daily activities and mood. This experience triggered my interest to explore impactful ways to support people with aphasia’s well-being and join the HEADS: UP team to start my PhD journey.

Why did you choose GCU?

Glasgow Caledonian University is a top modern university in Scotland for allied health research and one of the leading universities in the UK for the societal impact of its applied research in health. I have always been interested in research applied to practice that can promote real change in quality of care. Pursuing my studies within the School of Health and Life Sciences and joining the HEADS: UP team is allowing me to collaborate with internationally-leading researchers, who are inspiring me to release my potential and master my research skills.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I hope that my PhD will open new lines of inquiries for how to best support individuals with aphasia to engage with Mindfulness and promote self-management of mood disorders. I aim to seek funding opportunities to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the co-developed HEADS: UP Aphasia course. I am eager to continue investigating and offering support to people affected by complex communication needs and promote their well-being in everyday life.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

My advice is:

• Choose a topic you are really passionate about-this will help to keep your motivation high
• Build an honest relationship with your supervisory team-don’t be afraid to seek for advice, your supervisors are there to bring out the best in you
• Connect with other PhD students- this will bring endless opportunities to meet people from all walks of life, support each other, learn and be inspired by others’ research dedication and enthusiasm
• Be prepared for things not going as planned, a PhD is a long journey and there are going to be ups and downs. Think of your PhD as a protected time for you to conduct your own research, enjoy every second!

Co-creating healthy urban blue spaces using systems mapping

Summary of PhD

This PhD explores the intersections between urban blue spaces and population health. I have published a systematic review and meta-analysis on the health impacts of urban blue spaces in Cities Journal and a further paper on the factors influencing usage of urban blue spaces in Health in Place Journal. I aim to have a third paper on the canals in Glasgow as an example of a Therapeutic Landscape. The final project aims to co-create healthy urban blue spaces guidelines using systems mapping. Systems mapping is a respected research method used across multiple sectors to untangle complex problems. It allows us to look at ‘what if?’ scenario planning and account for any unintended consequences that can potentially arise from intervening in a system.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

My first degree is in Geography, and following my graduation, a period of work and a year teaching English in South Korea, I studied for a PGDE in high school geography teaching. I worked as a geography teacher for two years but realised I missed studying myself. I loved studying for my undergraduate degree and teaching qualification and wanted to pursue research. Coming from a human geography background, I am interested in how space is used and by whom. This PhD, which focuses on increased urbanisation and its effect on health inequality, is something that grabbed my attention. Understanding how we can best make use of urban blue and green spaces to benefit population health was of significant interest to me, so I applied!

Why did you choose GCU?

The opportunity to pursue a research topic within a health discipline focused on researching health inequalities, the reputation of my supervisor and the available funding contributed to me choosing GCU.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

I am in the final year of my PhD and hope to move into an academic role at a university. Further research and teaching opportunities will enable me to develop the skills needed to hopefully secure an academic position.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Keep at it! Celebrate the small wins, and keep a note of positive feedback you receive. Review these comments if you ever encounter the dreaded imposter syndrome!

Unmet healthcare needs and interventions for people with long-term neurological conditions (LTNC) during the Covid pandemic

Summary of PhD

Long-term neurological conditions as defined by the Royal College of physicians (2008, p.2) is “a diverse set of conditions resulting from injury or disease of the nervous system that will affect an individual for life”. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic placed an unprecedented strain on people living with long-term neurological conditions (LTNC), who are at a higher risk of frequent hospitalisation due to Covid-19. The pandemic also affected their families who bear the burden of their care.This included reports of people with LTNC facing withdrawal of medication and essential healthcare services, lack of ventilators, oxygen support and end-of-life care. This highlighted healthcare services were disrupted for these medically vulnerable individuals and their families

This project seeks to identify the unmet needs and challenges faced by people with LTNC during the Covid-19 pandemic.

My project has four phases:

• Phase 1: In phase 1, a scoping review is being conducted to inform an evidence gap map which will identify and synthesise studies describing the unmet needs of adults with LTNC and their families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Phase 2: Using the findings from phase 1, a more focused systematic review on the unmet needs of a subgroup of adults with LTNC (and their families) who were most disproportionately affected during the Covid-19 pandemic will be conducted. This mixed methods systematic review will identify, appraise and synthesise the effectiveness of available interventions which may be used to support this population. It will also look at identifying any barriers and facilitators to accessing care.
• Phase 3: The third phase of my work will involve a series of qualitative interviews with adults with LTNC (and their families) who were most disproportionately affected during Covid-19, and other key stakeholders. These stakeholders may include clinicians, policymakers and third sector organisations in order to learn more from their experiences and integrate these with findings from the earlier reviews.
• Phase 4: In phase 4, a toolkit or checklist of the potential interventions which were supportive may be developed.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I am a Physiotherapist. One of the reasons I decided to do a PhD was to contribute to research in my field and widen my research experience. I chose to apply for this particular studentship because I have always been interested in neurological rehabilitation. I believe that my research could make a significant contribution in prescribing interventions which could support people with LTNC to regain and maintain their health, function and independence in case of future pandemics.

Why did you choose GCU?

I chose the School of Health and Life Sciences within Glasgow Caledonian University to complete my PhD as they have an excellent reputation for carrying out rigorous, clinically relevant health research. They also provide a number of training opportunities, such as Graduate Teaching Assistant training which will improve my career chances after graduation, and help me explore a lot of different career opportunities.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

The outcome of my PhD will determine the career path I would like to follow. Options include undertaking a career as a post-doctoral fellow or exploring a tenured lectureship position after my PhD. I could also take a clinical academic position that would enable me to continue working as a physiotherapist in addition to carrying out clinically relevant research in the field of neurology.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Be pro-active, have a clear goal and be dedicated to your research. Be humble and open to criticism and finally master networking skills.

Reference: Royal College of Physicians, National Council for Palliative Care and British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine. Longterm neurological conditions: management at the interface between neurology, rehabilitation and palliative care. London:RCP, 2008.

Upper Limb Rehabilitation Using Immersive Virtual Reality for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Summary of PhD

Remaining motivated to exercise is particularly challenging, especially for those who have to remain in long-term rehabilitation programmes. Virtual reality is an increasingly popular method within rehabilitation research due to its potential in world-building, enjoyment and immersion, and therefore could engage people with long-term neurological conditions. However, research within the multiple sclerosis (MS) population is lacking and even more so when looking at upper limb function. This project will investigate the use of virtual reality games, designed for and by people with MS, and its feasibility in upper limb rehabilitation. This PhD project is funded by the MS Society, UK.

What led you to undertake this PhD?

I enjoyed my masters project which was a proof of concept for my PhD project. I loved collaborating with people to create and design solutions to problems whilst still conducting research, and therefore decided to challenge myself to take the project further and do a PhD.

Why did you choose GCU?

The excellent supervisory team was a big factor in deciding GCU, and the collaborative nature of the university allows me to have co-supervision with the Glasgow School of Art. The experience within my supervisors and the innovation GCU promotes was very appealing to myself. And I love Glasgow!

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

My answer is not set in stone, but I would love to continue this research in a post doctorate position and perhaps develop a virtual reality/gaming centre for people with neurological conditions to engage them in alternative methods of exercise.

What advice would you give to future PhD researchers?

Take the time to decide if you want to embark on this long journey, by exploring your interests, reading papers and researching your supervisory team. Be patient and kind to yourself during your PhD, give yourself time to breathe and try not to compare your project to others. In low moments, focus on what you have been able to achieve rather than what you’ve still got to do, and take one day at a time.