Summary
Background:
Caroline is the lead for research for the School of Nursing. She is currently a lecturer at the University of Hull, having commenced her role in July 2023. Her clinical career started as nurse in community palliative care.
Caroline completed a National Institute for Health Research [NIHR] affiliated MA Research Methods in 2015. Having conducted empirical research into maternal mental health in the National Health Service [NHS], she later trained as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse [SCPHN]-Health Visiting.
In September 2020 Caroline was granted a Vice Chancellor PhD scholarship at Anglia Ruskin University, where she focused on fathers with postnatal depression, completing this award in August 2023. During her PhD she conducted a series of studies including a systematic review, and four primary research studies into fathers, mothers, and health visitors. This has resulted in five publications across a range of health journals, offering original knowledge and recommendations for healthcare practice. Most recently, these have been requested by the UK Fatherhood Institute. One article was included in the Scottish Government's evidence synthesis for paternal mental health in January 2024.
The impact of this research extends to wider professions and Caroline is currently writing an editorial for the British Journal of General Practice. More locally Caroline is working with local practice partners in Hull and East Riding, planning future research in perinatal mental health.
External Activities:
Caroline is an external examiner for Robert Gordon University Aberdeen and works as an education advisor for the Royal College of Nursing.
She is also a peer reviewer for the Joanna Briggs Institute and British Medical Journal.
Caroline also held the role of patient representative for the Royal College of Psychiatrists for two years between 2021-2023 and contributed to their Early Years Position Statement for infant mental health, released in 2023.
Current research:
As the lead for research in the School of Nursing Caroline is currently profiling the research activity across the department as well as staff research interests. She is supporting students to develop their writing for publication. She has also co-written articles, on alcohol use in older adults and co-production of nursing education, with two members of staff, both of which have been accepted for publication in 2023.
Caroline is currently in the process of designing research to examine student health visitors’ perceptions of postnatal depression in fathers. She is developing an antenatal contact for fathers with other health visiting academics. Caroline is currently involved in grant applications for both maternal and paternal mental health.