Matthew Kiernan

Professor Matthew Kiernan is a Senior Research Fellow at Northumbria University's Academic Department for Defence Nursing. A former Royal Navy mental health nurse with active service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans, he holds a PhD from Nottingham University (2011). His roles include Director of The Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families' Research, Chair of EMDR UK & Ireland's Research Committee, and Independent Advisory Panel Member for the British Army Infantry Training Centre.

Education: BSc Med Sci (Sheffield University, 2001), PhD (Nottingham University, 2011). Research focuses on veterans' mental health, EMDR therapy applications, military family support systems, and public health policy. Key projects include the MONARCH Study (mapping veteran needs) and veteran suicide prevention initiatives.

Research trends emphasize data-driven approaches to address food insecurity, social isolation, and PTSD treatment. His work bridges clinical practice, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Over £800k in grant funding since 2021 supports projects like the Tri-Service Food Insecurity Study and veteran suicide prevention frameworks.

Advisory roles include Office of Veterans Affairs and Forces in Mind Trust collaborations. Supervises PhD candidates researching veteran care systems and military women's narratives. Active in policy advocacy through House of Lords presentations and international conferences.

Led development of The Northern Hub, a collaborative network advancing veteran health research. Current studies include validation of complex needs indicators and digital innovations in veteran care delivery.