Qualitative SIG

Dr Laura McGowan (she/her)

Role(s) within the University: Research Associate in the Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Behavioural Science, based within the Population Health Sciences Institute (PHSI)

Background: Laura completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Manchester within Manchester Centre for Health Psychology in 2020 (thesis title: ‘Developing an intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults’). Prior to this, Laura completed her BSc and MRes in Psychology also at the University of Manchester. Her background is predominantly in Health Psychology and Behavioural Science, with key research interests including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and using theoretical approaches in the design, development, and evaluation of health behaviour change interventions. She has experience in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research designs. Laura has a methodological interest in the use of theoretical frameworks in qualitative research, and using participatory methods in research e.g. co-design and co-production.

Laura joined the Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University in May 2020 as a Research Associate, working on a Policy Research Programme (PRP) National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funded project exploring health interventions for those experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage. She joined the Policy Research Unit in Behavioural Science in June 2022.

She is a chartered member (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society and full member of the Division of Health Psychology, full member of the European Health Psychology Society, and associate member of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health.

Areas of interest:

  • Health behaviour change/ Behavioural science
  • Physical activity/ Sedentary behaviour
  • Ageing populations
  • Health inequalities
  • Intervention development, implementation, and evaluation
  • Evidence synthesis (qualitative and quantitative)
  • Using theoretical frameworks in qualitative research
  • Participatory research methods (e.g. co-production)

Supervision and Teaching:

Laura is involved in teaching as a guest lecturer on several modules within the School of Psychology and School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, in relation to health psychology and behaviour change, physical activity/exercise psychology and clinical issues, and the psychology of eating disorders. She also supervises postgraduate students on the Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc and Public Health MSc courses. She is willing to be approached regarding supervision of students at all levels working on qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods projects.

Looking to collaborate on:

Laura is happy to be approached about potential collaboration opportunities for research (including grant applications).

Link to NU Profile page (if you want):

https://behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/staff/dr-laura-mcgowan/

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/lauramcgowan.html