Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown is a Senior Research Fellow and DIAMONDS Programme Manager at the University of York's Department of Health Sciences. She is an applied health researcher specializing in health psychology, behavior change, and intervention development, with a focus on improving long-term condition management for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Her work integrates evidence synthesis, co-design methodologies, and implementation science to address health disparities.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD Health Sciences (2021-2025, part-time ongoing), University of York
• MSc Health Psychology (Distinction), University of Strirling, 2011
• BA (Hons) Psychology (First Class), University of Strathclyde, 2010

Dr. Brown's research focuses on multimorbidity, particularly in improving long-term condition management for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Her expertise spans digital health solutions, patient-centered service design, and co-production methodologies. She employs qualitative research methods to understand the lived experiences of individuals with co-existing SMI and long-term conditions, exploring challenges in self-management faced by service users, carers, and healthcare professionals. A cornerstone of her approach is the co-production of interventions, ensuring they are developed collaboratively with those who will use them.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on self-management interventions for people with severe mental illness and coexisting physical conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes. Her work spans systematic reviews, qualitative studies, and intervention development, with an emphasis on co-design approaches. She has led the DIAMONDS Programme, which develops and evaluates self-management interventions through collaborative efforts involving service users, carers, and healthcare professionals. Her research increasingly incorporates digital health technologies and cultural adaptation for diverse populations.

Dr. Brown has received recognition for her contributions:

• Making the Difference departmental award for advocacy and support of EU staff

As an academic mentor, Dr. Brown serves in the University of York PhD Mentoring Programme and has supervised 5 successful MSc student projects. She manages the NIHR-funded DIAMONDS Programme (2019-present) and leads DIAMONDS URDU (2024-2025) for cultural adaptation of interventions. Her external roles include Associate Editor for BMC Systematic Reviews and membership on professional committees.

Dr. Brown co-chairs the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and is a key member of the Mental Health and Addiction Research Group (MHARG). She leads the DIAMONDS research team, which includes service users, carers, and healthcare professionals working collaboratively to develop and evaluate self-management interventions. Her work connects with the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine and the International Behavioural Trials Network.