Heather is a multidisciplinary social scientist whose formal training spans law, French language, forensic medicine, philosophy, gender studies, social research, sociology, criminology and health services research. She was appointed as a Lecturer within the University of Aberdeen’s Postgraduate Education Group, Institute of Applied Health Sciences on 01 October 2017. She previously worked at the Chief Scientist Office-funded Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, from February 2012 to September 2017.

Heather has substantive research interests in digital health, methodological expertise in designing, leading and delivering qualitative and mixed methods studies in applied health sciences and a pedagogical research focus on postgraduate training and employment, within and beyond universities. She would welcome enquiries from potential PhD students or taught postgraduates who wish to work with her in any of these areas. Heather is a member of several national and international research groups, co-founder of the newly formed SAGES Fora ‘Pollinating Wellbeing’, and works closely with a range of community, government and industry partners to undertake and apply her research and facilitate student work placements.

To date, Heather has individually or jointly secured research funding totalling more than £1.6m. She is lead author or co-author of over twenty peer-reviewed papers and two edited collections. She reviews for a number of high impact journals/publishers and has assessed grant applications for the German government (by invitation). She is also active in public engagement with research and is a four-time Principal’s Prizes for Public Engagement with Research winner (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) in recognition of her science communication activities. Heather is co-creator of Aberdeen’s original, free-to-play, location-based, augmented reality game for iOS devices: [m]apping.

Heather studied at the University of Aberdeen from 2001-2013 and received her first degree in Law – options in French Language and Forensic Medicine – (LLB (Hons)) in 2005, a Certificate (CertHE) in Gender Studies and Philosophy in 2006, a Masters (MRes) degree in Social Research in 2007 and her Doctorate (PhD) in 2013. She was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in 2011. Heather led several multidisciplinary collaborations before transitioning into health services research in 2012. She was selected as a participant of the prestigious Scottish Crucible leadership and development programme in 2015. Heather also has external experience in the independent monitoring of prisons (Scottish Government, 2010-2013).

You can find out more about Heather’s research, teaching and publications here.