Who's who?

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I am the head of the Mental Health Research Unit as well as Professor of Clinical Psychology here at the University of Derby. I have a degree in Economics (Wolverhampton, 1973), Masters in Experimental Psychology (Sussex, 1975), PhD in Clinical Psychology (Edinburgh, 1980) and a diploma in Clinical Psychology awarded by the British Psychological Society (1980).

I was made a fellow of the British Psychological Society for contributions to psychological knowledge in 1993 and was president of the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy in 2003. I have also served on the government depression NICE guideline committee.

I have published and edited 21 books, over 100 academic papers and 39 book chapters. I am currently a series editor for a 'compassionate approaches to life difficulties' series.

After years of exploring the processes underpinning shame and its role in a variety of psychopathologies, my current research is exploring the neurophysiology and therapeutic effectiveness of compassion focused therapy.

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My responsibilities include:

• Managing and co-ordinating research activities within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust;
• Providing advice and support for Trust employees undertaking research;
• Maintaining records of research activity;
• Liaising with colleagues in neighbouring Trusts and the University of Derby;
• Applying for Local Research Ethics Committee and R&D approval;
• Preparing grant applications for projects within the Mental Health Research Unit.

I am also undertaking a part time PhD here at the University of Derby exploring self-compassion and eating disorders.

In 1998 I studied Psychology at Durham University and was a member of Van Mildert College. In 2002 I started working at the Eating Disorders Research Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry (London) with Professor Janet Treasure. I joined the Mental Health Research Unit in 2004. Initially, I worked in the unit as a research assistant. The focus of this work was on shame, self-criticism and positive affect. Since 2005 I have worked as the Research and Research Development Manager for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

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My responsibilities include:

• Designing and conducting research studies;
• Analysing data and contributing to report writing;
• Preparing studies for publication in peer reviewed journals;
• Preparing grant applications for projects within the Mental Health Research Unit.

I also undertake a part time PhD at the University of Derby exploring the processing of compassion in regard to individual differences, namely self-criticism.

I joined the Mental Health Research Unit in 2004 after completing a Masters in Research Methods and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. 

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As Research Assistant, my responsibilities include:

• Providing assistance with the preparation of protocols and NHS ethics applications;
• Conducting data collection;
• Data entry onto statistical databases and preparation of data for statistical analyses;
• Contributing to report writing;
• Attending multidisciplinary meetings;
• Liaising closely with the Head of Unit on specific projects;
• Developing and maintaining appropriate quality records, including databases;
• Liaising with other professional groups as may be required for data collection.

I joined the Research Unit in May 2010. Prior to this I studied Psychology at Coventry University where I gained experience in conducting psychological research in both qualitative and quantitative methods. 

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As Research Assistant my responsibilities include:

• Providing assistance with the preparation of protocols and NHS ethics applications;
• Conducting data collection;
• Data entry onto statistical databases and preparation of data for statistical analyses; 
• Contributing to report writing;
• Attending multidisciplinary meetings;
• Liaising closely with the Head of Unit on specific projects;
• Developing and maintaining appropriate quality records, including databases;
• Liaising with other professional groups as may be required for data collection.

I joined the Research Unit in May 2010 and my main focus will be the 'Well-being, Threat and Safeness' project. I studied Social Psychology at Loughborough University - a course with an emphasis on research. Modules included Practical Social Psychology with Statistics and Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Illness. 

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As The Clinical Studies Officer (CSO), my role involves facilitating and supporting the delivery of national research studies within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. CSO's support the work of the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN), which was set up by the Department of Health to improve the speed, quality and integration of clinical research. CSO's in Derbyshire are part of the East Midlands Hub of the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) which is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln and Nottingham, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust (NHCT), with Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as a linked clinical site. 

My role involves:

• Identifying patients eligible to participate in UKCRN portfolio studies and providing information and support for patients involved in research projects
• Coordinating treatment, assessment and follow-up in accordance with research protocols
• Promoting research amongst clinicians, service users and the wider NHS
• Assisting with the set up of new research studies across Derbyshire

I have a background in advocacy, working with young people in mental health, community and forensic settings. I am currently undertaking a Masters degree in Psychology with the Open University. 

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As Clinical Studies Officer (CSO), my role involves facilitating and supporting the delivery of national research studies within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. CSO's support the work of the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN), which was set up by the Department of Health to improve the speed, quality and integration of clinical research. CSO's in Derbyshire are part of the East Midlands Hub of the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) which is a collaboration between the Universities of Lincoln and Nottingham, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust (NHCT), with Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as a linked clinical site. 

My role involves:

• Identifying patients eligible to participate in UKCRN portfolio studies and providing information and support for patients involved in research projects;
• Coordinating treatment, assessment and follow-up in accordance with research protocols;
• Promoting research amongst clinicians, service users and the wider NHS;
• Assisting with the set up of new research studies across Derbyshire.

I joined the Trust in 2009 from the University of Oxford where I was a Senior Research Assistant on the IDEA study evaluating the new, high secure, Dangerous & Severe Personality Disorder units. Prior to that I worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Leicester and gained my PhD exploring the outcome (e.g. reconviction & mortality) of nearly 600 patients admitted to Arnold Lodge Medium Secure Unit. Research interests include suicide, self harm, and outcomes of forensic populations.

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I have worked in the NHS for over 14 years in both clinical and clerical roles. I joined the Mental Health Research Unit in April 2009.

As Personal Assistant to Professor Paul Gilbert, I am responsible for producing clinical letters and maintaining patient records. Within this role I also assist Paul in all his correspondence and with all of his work, e.g. preparing reviews of academic papers, proof reading books and chapters, and co-ordinating his presentations at workshops and conferences.

As Research Administrator I support the staff within the Research Unit and also manage the office. My duties include maintenance of financial records, project files, the unit's research database and personnel records. I am also secretary to the Clinical Research Committee.