Dr Martin Elliott is a Senior Research Fellow at the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE), Cardiff University, and holds roles as Research Development Adviser for Health and Care Research Wales and academic lead for the all-Wales ExChange programme. His work focuses on child welfare inequalities, poverty, secure accommodation, and services for disabled children. With 17 years in statutory children’s services, he transitioned to academia via a PhD analyzing looked-after children in Wales. He has secured £3.4M+ in research funding, including a major CASCADE partnership grant. Educated with a DipSW (1997), BA(Hons) Community Studies (1998), MSc Social Science Research Methods (2013), and PhD (2018), his expertise spans mixed-methods research. Awards include the ESWRA doctoral thesis award (2020) and BASW’s British Journal of Social Work prize (2021). His research explores socio-economic dimensions in social work practice, policy impacts, and system equity. Key grants include studies on child welfare interventions, kinship care, and secure accommodation outcomes. He leads projects analyzing Wales’ Flying Start program, workforce regulation impacts, and crisis mental health services. CASCADE collaborates internationally on child welfare systems, reflecting his strategic focus on translating research into policy. His work bridges academic inquiry with frontline practice, addressing systemic challenges in child protection and welfare delivery.
Catherine Butler is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Programme Director of the DClinPsy Programme at the University of Bath's Department of Psychology. She holds external examiner roles at Cardiff University, University College London, and others. Her academic journey includes a Doctor of Clinical Psychology from the University of East London, an MBA from the Open University, and advanced training in Systemic Supervision at the University of Exeter. Her research focuses on Inclusion, Whiteness, Gender and Sexual Minorities, Intersectionality, and Systemic Therapy, with contributions to anti-racism and climate crisis studies. Key projects include exploring systemic therapy supervision, validation of therapeutic scales, and shared learning courses with clinical psychology trainees. Dr. Butler’s scholarly work addresses topics such as gender dysphoria in neurodivergent populations, relapse experiences in addiction therapy, and systemic training in clinical psychology programs. She has been recognized for her contributions through awards like the Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her professional activities include roles on the British Psychological Society committee, conference presentations, and advisory roles in academic and clinical settings. She has supervised 18 doctoral students and led projects funded by UK charities such as the Association for Family Therapy.
Dr. Ray Bobrownicki is a Lecturer in Sport Psychology and Co-Programme Director of the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science at the University of Edinburgh's Moray House School of Education and Sport. He holds affiliations with the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (ISPEHS) and the Human Performance Science Research Group. As a chartered psychologist (BPS) and licensed athletics coach, his work bridges academic research and real-world sport practice. Educations: PhD (Sport Psychology and Coaching), University of Edinburgh MSc (Performance Psychology), University of Edinburgh AB (Psychology), Brown University PGCert (Academic Practice), University of the West of Scotland His research focuses on optimizing coaching instruction, motor learning, and performance under pressure. He explores how verbal instructions, analogies, and technology (e.g., VR) influence skill acquisition and athlete motivation. Secondary interests include the societal impacts of sporting policies on athlete welfare and identity. Recent work critiques traditional sport science methodologies and advocates for interdisciplinary, applied research. His publications span 2015–2025, emphasizing critical analysis of coaching practices, motor learning mechanisms, and systemic issues in sport. Key themes include instructional design, constraints-led approaches, and translational research validity. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society) Associate Fellow (British Psychological Society) Teaching responsibilities include programme leadership for BSc Applied Sport Science and contributions to MSc Performance Psychology modules. He currently supervises PhD student Tongyu Liu on esports support taxonomies and welcomes inquiries on coaching instruction, performance psychology, and athlete policy impacts. Dr. Bobrownicki’s career integrates athletic experience (Commonwealth Games finalist, high jumper) with coaching expertise (e.g., mentoring record-breaking athletes) to inform evidence-based practice in sport science.
Professor Nicholas Buckley is a leading academic in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Sydney and holds a Visiting Professor position at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He serves as Research Director for the South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration (SACTRC) and is a Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist & Toxicologist at the NSW Poisons Information Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. His work focuses on improving clinical toxicology practices, poison control policies, and understanding mechanisms of drug toxicity. Co-founder of SACTRC for agrochemical poisoning and snakebite research Chair of Australian Therapeutic Guidelines - Toxicology writing group Editorial roles in Clinical Toxicology, Drug Safety, and Australian Prescriber Research Interests include toxicovigilance, epidemiology of poisoning, acute kidney injury in poisoning/snakebite, pesticide safety interventions, antidote development, and pharmacoepidemiology of psychotropic drugs. His work combines clinical trials, population surveillance, and translational research. Scientific Contributions span 440+ peer-reviewed articles and 22 book chapters, with continuous funding since 2002. He has supervised over 20 higher degree students and leads international collaborations in low-and-middle-income countries through NIHR RIGHT4. Key Affiliations : Member of Charles Perkins Centre, Australian Medicines Handbook Editorial Advisory Board, and NIHR RIGHT4 programme.
Dr. Liam Mannion is a Senior Lecturer in Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology at City St George’s, University of London, where he leads key modules in radiotherapy techniques, oncology, and radiobiology. He is an HCPC-registered Therapeutic Radiographer with clinical experience in both NHS and private sectors. He also serves as the Practice Education Lead for Therapeutic Radiography and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. PhD, King's College London MSc, London South Bank University PGCert, City, University of London BSc (Hons), University College Dublin His research focuses on optimizing treatments for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, patient-centered care, and radiobiology. He employs methodologies such as discrete choice experiments to understand patient preferences in treatment decisions. His educational interests include gamification, debriefing, and student well-being in radiography training. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in patient-centered oncology research, particularly in bladder cancer decision-making, alongside innovations in radiotherapy education. He frequently collaborates with institutions like King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Dr. Mannion is actively involved in peer review for the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice and served as an External Examiner at Cardiff University. He has also held leadership roles such as Joint Programme Director at City, University of London. He has contributed to research on compassion fatigue among students, leadership in radiography during the pandemic, and functional imaging in glioblastoma. His work bridges clinical practice, education, and patient-centered outcomes. Dr. Mannion is affiliated with professional organizations including the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Society of Radiographers. He teaches across undergraduate modules in radiotherapy and oncology, with a focus on practical and theoretical integration.
Päivi Eriksson is a Professor of Management at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Business School. She co-leads the Innovation Management research group and coordinates the MSCA Neuro-Innovation PhD Programme (2021-2026) and NOVEL Postdoctoral Programme (2024-2029). Her research focuses on innovation management, academic entrepreneurship, and collaborative research methodologies. She leads the Neuro-Innovation and Impact research team within UEF's neuroscience community (NEURO). Key projects include DATASLEEP (2021-2025), CO-RESEARCH (2022-2026), and Shadows in Paradise (2022-2032). Her work bridges academic research with societal impact through initiatives like the Auria Biobank commercialization. She has authored/co-authored over 150 publications in journals like Journal of Affective Disorders , Qualitative Health Research , and International Journal of Human Resources Development . Eriksson's awards include research council grants and contributions to Elgar's Encyclopedia of Innovation Management . She advises on academic entrepreneurship policies and collaborates with 30+ external partners in healthcare, tech, and industry sectors. Her teaching emphasizes innovation empathy and service design frameworks for customer-centric solutions.
Dr. Jon Gruda is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at Maynooth University's School of Business. He holds a PhD in Management from emlyon Business School (France) and a joint Dr. rer. nat. in Psychology from Goethe University Frankfurt. His research focuses on relational leadership, dark leadership traits, anxiety in the workplace, and personality psychology, with a strong emphasis on integrating machine learning and AI methodologies. Gruda has been recognized with prestigious awards, including selection for the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in Economic Sciences (2020). His interdisciplinary work includes predicting anxiety and personality traits via social media data analysis. He serves as an Associate Editor for journals like Personality and Individual Differences and Frontiers in Psychology . Education PhD in Management, emlyon Business School (2012–2017) Dr. rer. nat. in Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt (2012–2017) MSc in Affective Neuroscience, Maastricht University (2018) MSc in Management Research, emlyon Business School (2012–2014) Triple MSc in Management, City University London/ESCP Europe (2010–2012) BSc in International Business & Management, University of Groningen (2007–2010) Research Interests Gruda’s work bridges leadership studies, personality psychology, and data science. Key areas include: Dark leadership traits (e.g., narcissism, Machiavellianism) and their organizational impacts Machine learning applications for detecting anxiety and personality traits via social media Cross-cultural studies on leadership perceptions and attachment orientations Impact of physiological/psychosocial factors on leadership effectiveness Publications & Projects Recent projects include predicting state-level health outcomes linked to narcissism and developing algorithms to track anxiety using Twitter data. Over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2017 highlight his contributions to organizational behavior and computational social science. Awards 7th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting on Economic Sciences (2020) Benedictine University Award (Academy of Management, 2020) Wharton Global Faculty Development Program (2020) Grants & Collaborations Gruda leads projects on pro-environmental behavior and collaborates with the National Care Experience Programme on healthcare feedback analysis. Seed funding includes €301,930 for computational text analytics in healthcare. Labs & Teams Interdisciplinary research collaborations span psychology, data science, and public health, with a focus on applying machine learning to organizational challenges.
Dr. Camilla Nord serves as Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge's Department of Psychiatry and is Programme Leader at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. She holds dual appointments as Co-Director of Postgraduate Education & Director of the MPhil in Cognitive Neuroscience at the MRC CBU, and as Fellow and Director of Studies at Christ's College Cambridge. Nord directs the Mental Health Neuroscience Lab (nordlab.co.uk), which focuses on translating neuroscience into improved mental health treatments through innovative pharmacological, psychological, and neurostimulation interventions. Her research spans three interconnected streams: Discovery Science investigates brain-body interactions including interoception, circadian rhythms, and metabolism as neglected sources of mental health information; Experimental Medicine employs pharmacological manipulation, brain stimulation, and psychological interventions to establish causal relationships between physiological mechanisms and mental health conditions; and Translational Neuroscience develops clinical trials for neuroscience-based interventions, particularly 'acute augmentations' that enhance psychological therapy efficacy. Her lab has demonstrated how gut states cause disgust avoidance and how psychological therapy techniques alter negative learning processes. Analysis of Nord's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on computational approaches to mental health, with particular focus on depression treatment mechanisms. Her work increasingly integrates brain-body interactions, especially gut-brain and metabolic pathways, into mental health frameworks. Recent publications show growing emphasis on patient-centered research, interoception, and transdiagnostic approaches that cut across traditional psychiatric categories. Wellcome Career Development Award (£1.5 million) Wellcome Mental Health Award (£4.3 million, jointly awarded with Prof. Sarah Garfinkel) Sunday Times Book of the Year (2023) for 'The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health' Financial Times Book of the Year (2023) for 'The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health' Nord actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with her trainees receiving prestigious awards including the British Association of Psychopharmacology (BAP) Poster Prize, BAP Hannah Steinberg Bursary, and Alwyn Lishman Prize. Her lab is currently funded by MRC intramural funding, a Wellcome Career Development Award, and a Wellcome Mental Health Award, supporting innovative research at the intersection of neuroscience and mental health treatment. The Mental Health Neuroscience Lab operates within the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, collaborating extensively with researchers across Cambridge and internationally. The lab maintains strong connections with clinical services and patient groups, ensuring research remains grounded in real-world mental health challenges. Current work focuses on transcranial ultrasound stimulation, gut-brain axis interventions, and computational modeling of mental health mechanisms.
Dr Dawn Elizabeth Cavanagh is a Researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Education. Her work focuses on healthcare equity for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, particularly addressing systemic issues like restrictive practices and long-term segregation. She holds a PhD from the University of South Wales, where her research explored annual health checks and self-management for people with learning disabilities. Dr Cavanagh’s research has included NIHR-funded studies on psychotropic medication decision-making and the impact of the pandemic on people with learning disabilities. She is currently evaluating the HOPE(S) Programme to End Long-Term Segregation, focusing on mothers of children detained in secure hospitals. Her advocacy extends to campaigning against institutional segregation through initiatives like Stolen Lives Wales and her role as a trustee of the Paul Ridd Foundation. Her research interests intersect personal advocacy, as she is autistic and the parent of an adult son with multiple disabilities whose experiences informed her work. She co-chaired the 2023 RRN conference and has been recognized with awards for her contributions to restraint reduction and disability advocacy. Education: PhD in Intellectual Disability Healthcare (University of South Wales) Dr Cavanagh’s articles emphasize ethical healthcare practices, policy reform, and co-produced solutions for marginalized groups. Her work bridges academic research with grassroots advocacy, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers in healthcare access and institutional care. Awards: Restraint Reduction Network’s 2024 Outstanding Contribution Award, Cardiff Parents’ Federation 2024 Trustee Award She collaborates with organizations like the Rightful Lives Team and leads Stolen Lives Wales, advocating for systemic change in healthcare provision for vulnerable populations.
Susan Holmes is Professor at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined as Reader in Television in 2007 and was appointed to Professor in 2018. She is an active member of several research groups including Media Equality, Film, Television and Media, Gender and Its Intersections Steering Committee, and HealthUEA. Her work spans television studies, celebrity culture, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Professor Holmes received her academic training at the University of Sussex (BA in English and Media Studies), followed by an MA in Film from the University of Southampton, and completed her PhD on British film and television in the 1950s at the same institution. Prior to joining UEA, she taught Media and Cultural Studies at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) and television and film at the University of Kent. Her research focuses on several interconnected areas that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. In television studies, she has made significant contributions to understanding British television history, particularly through her books 'British TV and Film in the 1950s' and 'Entertaining TV: the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s,' where she challenges canonical ideas about early BBC television. Her work on reality TV examines historical development, generic labeling, and celebrity. Since 2014, she has conducted important empirical research on feminist approaches to eating disorders, analyzing media representations and working directly with people with lived experience. A key focus of this research examines how feminist approaches are neglected in contemporary eating disorder treatment, with implications for both clinical practice and cultural understanding. She co-founded the influential Celebrity Studies journal in 2010 and edited it for the first eight years of its publication. Analysis of Professor Holmes' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory where her expertise in media and television studies converges with her feminist scholarship on eating disorders. Her most recent work (2023-2025) increasingly focuses on cross-cultural applications of feminist approaches to eating disorders (including work in China), the use of innovative methodologies like Photovoice, and examinations of therapeutic alliance in treatment settings. Simultaneously, she continues to analyze contemporary media representations, particularly focusing on motherhood, true crime television, and reality TV through feminist lenses. This dual focus demonstrates how media representations shape cultural understandings of both celebrity and health conditions. Professor Holmes' significant contributions to academia have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Senior Fellowship from Advance HE (2024) UEA engagement award (2017) ALPSP award nomination for Celebrity Studies as best new journal (2011) She currently runs the Feminist Media Studies research cluster at UEA and is actively supervising postgraduate research in areas including popular television, television/film history, British TV history, stardom/celebrity, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Her current major research project is the 'ALLIANCE study' (2024-2026), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which aims to develop practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders. This builds on her earlier British Academy-funded research on 'Entertaining Television: British TV, the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s' (2007-2008). Professor Holmes plays a significant role in the academic community through her editorial work, serving on the boards of journals including Archives of Psychology, Big Data & Society, and Critical Studies in Television, and previously as co-founder and editor of Celebrity Studies. She has also been active in media engagement, contributing expert commentary on topics ranging from Netflix's portrayal of eating disorders to Celebrity Big Brother.
Mathew Thomson is a Professor of History at the University of Warwick, specifically within the Department of History under the Faculty of Arts. He holds a BA in History from University College London (1987) and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford (1992). His research focuses on the cultural and social history of medicine, eugenics, and psychological practices in 20th-century Britain. He has been a Wellcome University Award Holder at the University of Sheffield (1993-1998) and has held roles such as Lecturer and Reader at Warwick (1998-2015) before his current professorship. Thomson's teaching includes undergraduate modules like 'The Cultural History of the NHS' and 'Eugenics Lecture,' as well as postgraduate courses on medical humanities. His publications, including books like *The Problem of Mental Deficiency* (1998) and *Psychological Subjects* (2006), explore themes of mental health policy, eugenics, and the intersection of psychology with societal structures. His recent work examines the NHS's cultural representation and post-war childhood landscapes. He has contributed to public engagement through BBC documentaries (e.g., *The NHS: A People's History*), museum consultations (V&A Museum of Childhood), and policy initiatives like the British Academy Childhood Policy Programme. His research on mental deficiency policies, wartime mental health, and the history of psychological practices underscores his interdisciplinary approach to societal and medical history.
Dr Anandadeep Mandal is an Associate Professor in Finance and the Scotcoin Distinguished Chair of Digital Finance at the University of Birmingham , within the Birmingham Business School and the Department of Finance . He is the founding director of the MSc Financial Technology programme and the Programme Director for the MBA (Distance Learning), demonstrating significant leadership in academic program development. Education: PhD in Probability Distribution Fitting, Cranfield University (2016) MRes in Management Science, Cranfield University (2012) MSc in Finance and Investments, Durham University (2008) Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering Research Interests: Dr Mandal’s interdisciplinary research lies at the intersection of mathematical modelling, artificial intelligence, finance, and digital innovation . His work focuses on AI-enabled investment strategies , blockchain for financial transparency , ESG performance measurement , and the development of the Sustainable Efficiency Index (SEI) . He also pioneers AI applications in digital education , including a patent-pending platform for automated grading of multi-modal student submissions using ensemble AI methods. Publication Trends: His recent scholarly output spans high-impact journals and conferences, reflecting a strong focus on digital finance , climate and social media analytics , cryptocurrency regulation , and AI in financial forecasting . His work combines advanced data science techniques with real-world policy and financial applications, particularly in sustainability and public health. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Dr Mandal has secured over £2 million in research funding from sources including UKRI, UoB QR Funding, and industry partners. While specific students are not listed, his role as programme director and research leader suggests active mentorship. His research has direct policy impact through collaborations with the NHS Trusts , NIHR , and the UK Government . Labs, Teams, and Impact: Dr Mandal leads a research agenda that bridges academia and public policy. His work extends beyond the university through public engagement at science festivals, outreach for young learners, and expert contributions to UK Parliamentary consultations on AI, sustainability, and financial innovation. He is a key figure in advancing digital finance education and research at the University of Birmingham.
Christophe Viavattene is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sustainability at Middlesex University , specializing in flood risk management and urban resilience. He has spent 17 years at the Flood Hazard Research Centre , leading interdisciplinary research across economic and physical sciences in water and flood risk. Research Focus: Flood vulnerability (coastal, urban, fluvial), GIS tools (INDRA model), Multi-Coloured Manual (MCM) methodology, mental health impacts of flooding, groundwater flood risk in arid regions, and air quality risk assessment. Teaching: Programme Leader for the MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management , teaching problem-based sustainability, GIS, and environmental monitoring. Key Collaborations: EU FP7 RISC-KIT, EU CONHAZ, Environment Agency UK projects. Recent Publications: Bayesian flood models, coastal hotspots analysis, and groundwater flood damage methodologies. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, including flood storage compensation frameworks and vulnerability indicator libraries.
David N. Thomas is a Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research and Director of the International Masters Programme for Environmental Change and Global Sustainability at the University of Helsinki. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, working within the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. Dr. Thomas is a distinguished Marine-Arctic-Antarctic-Climate Biologist with extensive expertise in sea ice research, polar ecosystems, and climate change impacts. His research focuses on the biogeochemical processes within sea ice, carbon cycling in polar regions, and the ecological implications of a changing Arctic Ocean. He has made significant contributions to understanding how sea ice ecosystems function and respond to environmental change, with particular attention to microbial communities, nutrient dynamics, and carbon fluxes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the changing Arctic Ocean ecosystem, carbon and microbial dynamics in thawing permafrost landscapes, and sea ice biogeochemistry. Dr. Thomas has also contributed to important policy documents such as the PAME Synthesis Report on Ecosystem Status in the Central Arctic Ocean, bridging the gap between scientific research and environmental management. Professor Thomas has recently published the 4th Edition of "Sea Ice: Its Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Societal Importance," which represents a comprehensive update to this seminal work in polar science. His research spans both Arctic and Antarctic environments, examining how these critical polar regions are responding to global environmental change.
Duncan Astle is the Gnodde Goldman Sachs Professor of Neuroinformatics at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. He serves as a Programme Leader at the Medical Research Council's Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU) and is a Fellow of Robinson College. Astle heads the 4D Lab (Development, Dynamics, Disorders, Data Science), which provides a research home for approximately 15 Early Career Researchers working at the intersection of developmental cognitive neuroscience and advanced data science methodologies. Astle's research focuses on understanding childhood development through innovative analytical approaches. His work employs transdiagnostic methods to study children with attention, learning, and memory difficulties, moving beyond traditional diagnostic categories. He investigates how neural systems develop in childhood, how they relate to developmental disorders, and how they respond to intervention. His research integrates network science, machine learning, and generative modeling to capture the complexity of neurodevelopmental diversity, examining how cognitive skills, literacy, numeracy, and mental health interrelate over developmental time. His publication record reveals a strong focus on brain connectivity and organization across development. Recent work explores structural and functional neurodevelopmental trajectories, brain wiring economics, and the impact of environmental factors on neural development. Astle's research frequently employs advanced data science techniques to identify sub-populations of children with different cognitive or brain profiles, regardless of diagnosis, and to map non-linear relationships between brain organization and cognitive difficulties. His work has increasingly focused on transdiagnostic approaches to understanding developmental disorders and the application of computational models to developmental neuroscience. Astle actively supervises PhD students and has built a substantial research group that contributes to major projects including the Centre for Attention Learning and Memory (CALM) and Resilience in Education and Development (RED). His work has been supported by prestigious funding bodies including the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Medical Research Council, and the Economic and Social Research Council, as well as multiple charitable foundations. The 4D Lab, under Astle's leadership, utilizes state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Cambridge, including on-site magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography scanners. The lab contributes to building specialist cohorts such as CALM (800 children with cognitive difficulties plus 200 comparison children) and RED, which study children's development, resilience, and educational outcomes. Astle's team explores how growing up in adverse environments affects children's brains, behavior, and mental health, with the aim of identifying early markers of risk and resilience.
