Showcase provided an opportunity to promote the research of students, early career researchers, and research leaders from the School
By Mr George Wigmore (Senior Communications Officer), Published
The School of Health & Psychological Sciences (SHPS) at City, University of London hosted its inaugural Research Showcase in July. The event celebrated the breadth of the School's research, providing a platform for students, early career researchers, and seasoned academics to share their work with peers, practice partners, and the public.
The showcase was opened by Professor Steve Gillard, Associate Dean for Research in SHPS. Introducing the event, Professor Gillard spoke about how work within the School is helping to address health inequalities and develop complex interventions in healthcare.
“I’m really pleased that we can showcase both the breadth and depth of research that we do in the School, and we have representation from all our research centres and groups today. We also have presentations all the way from MSc and PhD students to our senior researchers and current grantees. It really takes in the range of what we do here.”
The showcase was divided into three thematic sessions, each highlighting crucial areas within health and the psychological sciences.
Health inequalities
The first session delved into pressing issues surrounding health inequalities. In the first talk, Millie Barrett discussed the Healthy Start scheme, a vital support for families that remains underutilised. This was followed by Dr Brenda Hayanga, who explored ethnic disparities in healthcare quality among individuals with multiple long-term conditions. Dr Sharron Frood then shared strategies to improve care for AIDS orphans in South African townships. Finally, Dr Mathijs Lucassen concluded the session with insights into enhancing internet-based CBT for underserved adolescents with depression, drawing lessons from the SPARX project, a serious computer game that uses the therapeutic approach.
This was then followed by a panel discussion that focused on digital health interventions, and it explored the latest innovations and how they are impacting on healthcare delivery. This session offered diverse perspectives from experts in the field.
Complex interventions
After a brief session introducing the Early Career Research Network, which is fostering connections among emerging researchers, the second session explored various interventions.
Professor Katerina Hilari presented on the feasibility of delivering aphasia interventions via telehealth. This was followed by Dr Tracey Bowden, who discussed home-based cognitive training after cardiac surgery. Ella Rowbotham addressed improving outcomes for self-harming patients through brief psychological interventions in emergency departments. Dr Fiona Robinson presented a co-designed solution-focused programme for promoting mental wellbeing in schools. Finally, Emily Skelton then closed the session with a presentation on the influence of antenatal imaging on bonding with babies in the womb.
Rapid fire presentations
The final session featured rapid-fire presentations with presenters sharing concise insights into their research. Talks ranged from Stathi Anthopoulos’ presentation on the psychotherapeutic potential of Tango dancing to Katherina Gross-Gibbs’ talk on the role of newly qualified midwives in the NHS and Samuel Waimiru’s findings from a comprehensive evaluation of food environments in Lambeth Borough.
Professor Debra Salmon then presented the first SHPS annual research awards. After congratulating everyone on an excellent event, she said, “I’m really excited to see our future researchers here at City so well done to everyone.”
The winners were:
- Best Poster – Dr Helen Sisson – Vaccination timelines in pre-term infants, a timeless study
- Best Public & Patient Involvement in Research – Martina Curtin – Early Parent Interaction with Deaf Children: The EPID Tool
- Best Early Career Researcher (ECR) Research Paper Award – Dr Rebecca Webb – Barriers and facilitators to implementing perinatal mental health care in health and social care settings: A systematic review
- Best Interdisciplinary Research Partnership – Professor Rose McCabe – ASSURED/SASH (Supporting Adolescents with Self-Harm) study
Reflecting on the day, organiser Dr Angeliki Bogosian, Head of Department of Health Services Research at City, said: “It was a joyful event full of research and excellent ideas. I feel inspired and motivated, and I really do hope that everyone learnt a lot.”
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