Projects per year
Personal profile
Academic Biography
Dr Emma Louise Giles (Fisher) was awarded her PhD from Newcastle University in 2010. Her PhD explored the links between diet, alcohol, and physical activity in young adults, focusing on social marketing as a method to achieve lifestyle behaviour change.
She joined the School of Health and Life Sciences (formerly School of Health and Social Care) in April 2015 as Senior Research Lecturer in Public Health, and is now Associate Professor in Public Health.
Emma has over 62 peer-reviewed journal articles and has secured over £700,000 in competitive grant funding. She is a peer reviewer for several high profile journals including Journal of the American Medical Association, PLOS One, and Appetite, and is Associate Editor for BMC Public Health and PLOS ONE.
Emma is a member of the School of Health and Life Sciences Research Ethics and Governance Committee, is a member of the School's Athena Swan Committe, and is a member of the University's Health and Wellbeing Grand Challenge group. She is also a Fellow of Advance HE (formerly The Higher Education Academy), a none-clinical member of BSACI, and an Alliance member of the British Dietetic Association.
Currently she supervises 10 PhD students based at Teesside University and three MSc students. She is available to act as an internal and external PhD examiner.
Summary of Research Interests
Emma’s research interests are primarily in the areas of: mental and physical health related to weight management and diet quality, food insecurity, food allergies and impact on mental health, behaviour change interventions, health promotion and wider public health behaviours, as well as designing health systems that provide seamless care. Her methodological expertise is particularly in qualitative research, systematic reviews, and co-production.
Research Projects & External Funding
Current Projects
Food Insecurity in those with severe mental illness (2021-2023)
Principal Investigator: Dr Emma Giles and Jo Smith (TEWV NHS FT)
Funder: NIHR Research for Patient Benefit
Children and Young People Tier 2 Weight Management evaluation (2020-2021)
Principal Investigator: Dr Emma Giles
Funder: Gloucestershire County Council
Understanding the impact of physical activity levels within the North East of England during COVID-19 lockdowns (2020-2021)
Research Team: Dr Emma Giles, Dr Alison Innerd, Dr Natalie Connor, Dr Michael Graham
Funder: Unfunded
Research Team: Dr Emma Giles, Dr Stephanie Scott
Funder: Unfunded
Funder: NIHR ARC NENC
System-level analysis of MECC implementation across the North East and Cumbria: A comparative study of delivery models, service reach and system relationships (2021-2022)
Principal Investigator: Dr Angela Rodrigues
Co-Applicant: Dr Emma Giles et al.
Funder: NIHR ARC NENC
Previous Projects
A scoping review of food poverty in adults with severe mental illness (2020-2021)
Principal Investigator: Jo Smith
Research Team: Dr Emma Giles, Heidi Stevens, Prof. Amelia Lake
Funder: Unfunded
Understanding the treat culture in secure mental inpatient units (2020-2021)
Principal Investigator: Anita Atalla
Co-Applicants: Dr Emma Giles, Jo Smith
Funder: CNTW NHS FT and NIHR New Investigator Awards Scheme
Understanding use of the NBMI CLiP - A Weight off Your Mind (2021-2022)
Principal Investigator: Dr Emma Giles
Co-Leads: Dr Lauren Bussey, Jo Smith
Funder: NIHR ARC NENC
Modelling financial incentives to motivate pregnant smokers to quit - using Evolutionary Game Theory (2020-2022)
Principal Investigator: Dr Susan Jones
Co-Leads: Dr Emma Giles, Professor Falko Sniethotta
Developing an audit tool for mapping training for suicide and self-harm (2021)
Principal Investigator: Jill Barker
Project Manager: Dr Emma Giles
Funder: North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network
NHS 111 Mental Health Support Service Evaluation (2020)
Principal Investigator: Jill Barker
Project Manager: Dr Emma Giles
Funder: ICS NHS NENC
A scoping review of the evidence on suicide and self-harm training (2020)
Principal Investigator: Jill Barker
Project Manager: Dr Emma Giles
Funder: North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network
Lifestyle Interventions following Breast Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review (2020)
Principal Investigator: Dr Grant McGeechan
Funder: Unfunded
Physical Activity, Health and Community Evidence: essential data to inform the initial stage of Intervention Mapping; Local Activity Pilot (2018-2019)
Principal Investigator: Dr Liane Azevedo
Funder: Sport England
A multi-centre individual-randomised controlled trial of screening and brief alcohol intervention to prevent risky drinking in young people aged 14-15 in a high school setting (SIPS JR-HIGH) (2015-2018)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dorothy Newbury-Birch
Project Manager: Dr Emma L Giles
Co-investigators: Kings College London, The University of Kent, Liverpool John Moore's University, Newcastle University.
Funder: NIHR PHR
Measuring change from alcohol brief interventions: Development of a consensus core outcome set (2016-2018)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dorothy Newbury-Birch
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles, Prof. Aisha Holloway, Prof. Jeremy Bray, Prof. Anne Berman, Dr Gillian Shorter, Dr Amy O'Donnell
Funder: NHS - Balance
A pilot study to explore the feasibility and efficacy of the BeeZee Bodies/Healum App (2017-2018)
Principal Investigator: Dr Louisa Ells
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles, Dr Liane Azevedo, Healum
Funder: Healum
Evaluating the North Yorkshire Healthy Choices tier 2 weight management programme for children and young people aged 5-19 years (2017-2018)
Principal Investigator: Dr Louisa Ells
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles, Dr Liane Azevedo
Funder: North Yorkshire County Council
Socio-ecological influences on adolescent alcohol use and linked unhealthy eating behaviours (2016-2018)
Principal Investigator: Dr Stephanie Scott
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles, Dr Louisa Ells, Dr France Hillier-Brown
Funder: Fuse, The Centre for Translational Research in Public Health
A systematic review of alcohol interventions for people living with and beyond cancer (2017)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dorothy Newbury-Birch
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles, Dr Grant McGeechan
Funder: Alcohol Research UK
Children and young people: Alcohol study (2016-2017)
Principal Investigator: Dr Emma L Giles
Co-investigators: Prof. Dorothy Newbury-Birch, Dr Grant McGeechan, Balance (North East Alcohol Office)
Funder: NHS - Balance
Financial incentives for health behaviours (2012-2015)
Principal Investigator: Dr Jean Adams
Researcher: Dr Emma L Giles
Advisors: Prof. Elaine McColl, Prof. Falko Sniehotta
Funder: NIHR
Older People and Dietary Behaviours (2010-2011)
Principal Investigator: Dr Sharron Kuznesof
Co-investigators: Dr Emma L Giles
Funder: Newcastle University
PhD and Research Opportunities
Emma currently supervises the following postgraduate research students.
Ongoing:
1. Phil Watson (Professional Doctorate), 2017- 2021: ‘The role of the social work practice educator in promoting poverty informed practice (Director of Studies) 2. Sarit Carlebach (PhD PT), 2013-2022: 'Exploring the barriers and facilitators to policy implementation within the context of time.” (2nd supervisor) 3. Ajay Kamalpriya (PhD), 2020-2024: ‘e-health to promote oral health’ (2nd supervisor) 4. Amala Okolo (Doctorate in Public Health), 2020-2025: ‘Physical activity and the impact of COVID in BAME communities’ (3rd supervisor) 5. Rosie Dawson (Doctorate in Public Health), 2020-2025: ‘Exercise interventions for infertility and in preparation for pregnancy - a Mixed Methods study’ (2nd supervisor) 6. Jo Smith (PhD), 2022-2028, Food Insecurity in those with severe mental illness (DoS) 7. Heidi Stevens (PhD), 2022-2028, Exploring healthy hubs (DoS) 8. Rachel McKnight (PhD), 2022-2025, The impact of long COVID-19 on physical and mental health and the use of physical activity to aid recovery (3rd supervisor) 9. Alexandra Carne (PhD), 2021-2025, Managing pain in older people with mental health problems (3rd supervisor) 10. Tolu Okeniyi (Prof Doc), 2022-2026, Intervention design of personalised suicide prevention plans (DoS) |
PhD Students Supervised to Completion
Dr Gillian Milton (PhD). Supervised by Prof. Newbury-Birch (DoS), Dr Tracy Finch, Dr Emma Giles (3rd supervisor), 2015-2018: ‘Embedding interventions into public health within a changing landscape’. Completed 2018.
Dr Siobhan Taylor (PhD). Supervised by Dr Susy Cook (DoS), Dr Emma Giles (3rd supervisor), Prof. Robert McSherry, ‘How does Lean work in healthcare?’ Completed 2019.
Dr Daniel Jones (Graduate Tutor): Second supervisor 2016-2020 ‘Exploring physical activity interventions in preschool children’ (PhD). Awarded 2021.
Dr Jennifer Teke Epse Che: Third supervisor 2013-2021 ‘Exploring barriers, facilitators and marketing strategies for weight management programmes for BME communities in Medway’ (Doctorate in Public Health).
Dr Kate Byrnes (Graduate Tutor). Supervised by Dr Emma Giles (DoS), Dr Grant McGeechan, Prof. Sharon Hamilton, 2017-2021: ‘Behaviour change interventions to increase uptake of cancer screening initiatives in those with learning disabilities’.
Dr Abimbola Ojo: Second supervisor 2013-2021 ‘Promotion of healthy food in the fight against obesity: exploring the perception, beliefs, understanding, and practice of healthy eating among Black Africans in the South-East London, England’ (Doctorate in Public Health).
External Roles and Professional Activities
Emma is an Associate Member of Fuse, The Centre for Translational Research, a member of the Food Nutrition Group of the British Sociological Association. Through Fuse, Emma is also a member of the National Institute for Health Research funded School for Public Health Research. She is a deputy lead for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration NENC theme for integrating physical health, mental health, and social care.
Emma is co-lead for the Behaviour Change Research Theme, as part of Fuse, and is Chair of the North East Obesity Forum. She is also co-deputy lead for the Centre for Public Health Research at Teesside University, and a Staff Mental Health Champion at Teesside University.
Emma is an External Examiner for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University (2019-2024).
External Research Collaborations
- Newcastle University
- Durham University
- Northumbria University
- The University of Cambridge
- Kings College London
- The University of Kent
- Liverpool John Moores University
- The University of Edinburgh
- The University of Lincoln
- The University of Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
- Karoline Institute, Sweden
- RTI, North Caroline, USA
Enterprise Interest and Activities
Emma has recently authored a chapter in a book titled ‘Co-creating and Co-producing Research Evidence: A Guide for Practitioners and Academics in Health, Social Care and Education Settings’.
Learning and Teaching Interests and Activities
Emma contributes to teaching within the School of Health and Life Sciences as a guest lecturer for the Doctorate in Public Health, and the MSc in Clinical Research.
She is also a guest lecturer in the School of Social Science, Humanities and Law, on contemporary issues in health psychology.
Academic Responsibilities
University level:
- Postgraduate Assessment Board Member, Teesside University: September 2017 to October 2020.
- Human Resources Available Panel Member for Interviews: April 2015 to present
School level:
- Research & Innovation Sub-Committee Member, Teesside University: June 2017 to present
- Postgraduate Tutor School of Health and Life Science, Teesside University: September 2017 to October 2020
- Ethics and Research Governance Member, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University: July 2017 to present
- School of Health and Life Sciences Athena Swan member: September 2019 to present
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Young Adults and Healthy Lifestyles: Food, Alcohol and Physical Activity - A Total Lifestyle Approach, Newcastle University
16 Oct 2006 → 30 Sept 2009
Award Date: 30 Sept 2009
Bachelor, BA(Hons) Marketing and Management, Newcastle University
Award Date: 9 Jul 2005
External positions
External Examiner MSc Public Health, Northumbria University
1 Aug 2019 → 31 Dec 2023
Fellow, Higher Education Academy
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Network
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A scoping review of food poverty in adults with severe mental illness
Giles, E., Stevens, H., Lake, A. & Smith, J.
10/11/20 → …
Project: Research
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NIHR Programme Development Grant Increasing accessibility of affordable healthy food to adults living with Severe Mental Illness in Middlesbrough.
Dunne, J., Lake, A., Smith, J., Moore, H., He, J., Giles, E., Cotton, M. & Birkby, E.
1/06/23 → 31/05/24
Project: Research
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NIHR Research for Patient Benefit - Mental Health in the North: A mixed methods study using co-production to explore food insecurity in adults with Severe Mental Illness living in Northern England
Smith, J., Giles, E., McGeechan, G., Eskandari, F., Scott, S., Whittaker, V. & Lake, A.
27/09/21 → 26/03/23
Project: Research
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App-based oral health promotion interventions on modifiable risk factors associated with early childhood caries: A systematic review
Ajay, K., Azevedo, L. B., Haste, A., Morris, A., Giles, E. & Zohoori, V., 10 Mar 2023, In: Frontiers Oral Health. 4, 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Emotional Eating Interventions for Adults Living with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Smith, J., Qi Ang, X., Giles, E. & Traviss-Turner, G., 3 Feb 2023, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. 20, 3, 22 p., 2722.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Downloads (Pure) -
Physical activity levels of Reception children in the North-East of England: a cross-sectional analysis of seasonal, daily and hourly variation
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E. & Azevedo, L. B., 7 Feb 2023, In: Journal of Early Childhood Education Research. 12, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A protocol to identify the barriers and facilitators for people with severe mental illness and/or learning disabilities for PErson Centred Cancer Screening services (PECCS)
Sykes, K., Tuschick, E., Giles, E., Kanmodi, K. & Barker, J., 30 Nov 2022, In: PLoS ONE. e0278238.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the experience of living with colorectal cancer as a chronic illness: Qualitative synthesis: Colorectal cancer
McGeechan, G. J., Byrnes, K., Campbell, M., Carthy, N., Eberhardt, J., Paton, W., Swainston, K. & Giles, E. L., 8 Mar 2022, In: Psychology and Health. 37, 3, p. 350-374 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile90 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Additional file 1: of Socio-ecological influences on adolescent (aged 10â 17) alcohol use and linked unhealthy eating behaviours: protocol for a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies
Scott, S. (Contributor), Reilly, J. (Creator), Giles, E. (Contributor), Hillier-Brown, F. (Creator), Ells, L. (Contributor), Kaner, E. (Creator) & Adamson, A. (Creator), figshare, 2 Sept 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3870562_d1.v1, https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Additional_file_1_of_Socio-ecological_influences_on_adolescent_aged_10_17_alcohol_use_and_linked_unhealthy_eating_behaviours_protocol_for_a_systematic_review_and_synthesis_of_qualitative_studies/5373526/1
Dataset
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Additional file 1: of Exploring the factors affecting the implementation of tobacco and substance use interventions within a secondary school setting: a systematic review
Waller, G. (Creator), Finch, T. (Creator), Giles, E. (Creator) & Newbury-Birch, D. (Creator), figshare, 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3929455_d1.v1, https://springernature.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Additional_file_1_of_Exploring_the_factors_affecting_the_implementation_of_tobacco_and_substance_use_interventions_within_a_secondary_school_setting_a_systematic_review/5598124/1
Dataset
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Exploring the factors affecting the implementation of tobacco and substance use interventions within a secondary school setting: a systematic review
Waller, G. (Creator), Finch, T. (Creator), Giles, E. (Creator) & Newbury-Birch, D. (Creator), figshare, 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3929455.v1, https://figshare.com/collections/Exploring_the_factors_affecting_the_implementation_of_tobacco_and_substance_use_interventions_within_a_secondary_school_setting_a_systematic_review/3929455/1
Dataset
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Exploring the factors affecting the implementation of tobacco and substance use interventions within a secondary school setting: a systematic review
Waller, G. (Creator), Finch, T. (Creator), Giles, E. (Creator) & Newbury-Birch, D. (Creator), figshare, 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3929455, https://figshare.com/collections/Exploring_the_factors_affecting_the_implementation_of_tobacco_and_substance_use_interventions_within_a_secondary_school_setting_a_systematic_review/3929455
Dataset
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Socio-ecological influences on adolescent (aged 10–17) alcohol use and linked unhealthy eating behaviours: protocol for a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies
Scott, S. (Creator), Reilly, J. (Creator), Giles, E. (Creator), Hillier-Brown, F. (Creator), Ells, L. (Creator), Kaner, E. (Creator) & Adamson, A. (Creator), figshare, 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3870562, https://springernature.figshare.com/collections/Socio-ecological_influences_on_adolescent_aged_10_17_alcohol_use_and_linked_unhealthy_eating_behaviours_protocol_for_a_systematic_review_and_synthesis_of_qualitative_studies/3870562
Dataset
Press/Media
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Research into 'sweet treat' incentives for healthcare inpatients
9/02/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media