Leah Avery

I am a Chartered Health Psychologist in the Centre for Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences. My research involves the development and evaluation of complex interventions targeting a range of health/lifestyle behaviours. These include physical activity/exercise, diet and alcohol in the context of type 2 diabetes, liver disease and surgical procedures (e.g., liver transplantation and orthopaedics). I have developed a number of behaviour change interventions suitable for delivery at the individual and public health level. These include digital interventions that have been adopted by clinical commissioning groups across the UK. These interventions have been nominated for and received several awards including the Diabetes Professional Care Awards 2018 (shortlisted patient education campaign of the year); Leading Healthcare Awards (Highly commended, Case study of the year); and Bright Ideas in Health Awards (Awarded second place , service improvement category).

My work also involves identifying ways to successfully implement/translate behaviour change interventions in to clinical and non-clinical settings. This includes in depth work with clinicians and patient groups and the development, delivery and evaluation of training programmes and resources for healthcare professionals to help optimise consultation behaviour.

Qualifications

PhD Health Psychology, Newcastle University
Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology, British Psychological Society
PgCert Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, Teesside University
MSc Health Psychology, Teesside University
BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of Liverpool

Professional Registration

Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol), British Psychological Society
Practitioner Health Psychologist, Health & Care Professions Council

Research Funding

Hallsworth, K., Jakovljevic D., Cassidy, S., Charman, S., Houghton, D., Avery, L., Okwose, N., Taylor, R. An open non-randomised pilot study to assess acceptability and feasibility of an internet / mobile phone enhanced service pathway for the management of prediabetes. Changing Health Ltd (2018-19), £36,000.

Snowden CP, Avery L, Gerrand C, Prentis J, Haighton CA, Howell D, McColl E, Kaner E. Preoperative Behavioural Intervention for Risky Drinkers before elective orthopaedic Surgery (PreopBIRDS). NIHR-HTA (2016-19) £607,095.80.

Jakovljevic J, MacGowan G, Avery L, Skinner J, Bailey K, O'Brien N. Personalised home-based physical activity intervention in older adults with heart failure: advancing towards an effective clinical therapy (2015-16). NIHR-BRC £39,551.

Trenell MI, Avery L, Taylor L. Pharmacy enhanced services for people with Type 2 diabetes (2015). Medical Research Council, £28,000.

Kaner E, Avery L, Presseau J, Sniehotta F, Thomson R, Vale L. PhD awards for improvement science (2014-17). Health Foundation, £280,000.

Newbury-Birch D, Gilvarry E, McArdle P, Ramesh V, Stewart S, Walker J, Avery L, Beyer F, Brown, N, Jackson K, Lock C, McGovern R, Kaner E. The impact of alcohol consumption on young people: A review of reviews (2009). Department for Children, Schools and Families £50,977.

Kaner E, Avery L, Brown N, Jackson K, Mason H, Newbury-Birch D. A rapid review of evidence on liver disease epidemiology, treatment and services (2007). NIHR-CCF £28,327

PhD Supervision: Current

Jadine Scragg, 2017 – 2020, Exercise and liver disease. Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Doctoral Award, Newcastle University.

Oliver Bell, 2018-2023, Exercise to target mental health and physical health in hard to reach men. NUFC Foundation Doctoral Award, Newcastle University.

PhD Supervision: Completed

Dr Sebastian Potthoff, 'Making good quality care habitual: An exploration of the concept of habit in relation to healthcare professional behaviour' Health Foundation Doctoral Fellowship 2014-2017, Health Psychology - Primary supervisor, Newcastle University.

Dr Rebecca Brown, 'The effect of vitamin D and physical activity on knee osteoarthritis symptoms in older obese adults: A mixed methods study' MRC Doctoral Fellowship 2014-2017, Human Nutrition - Co-supervisor, Newcastle University.

Dr Nduka Okwose, A novel, home-based physical activity intervention for chronic heart failure; exploring safety, feasibility, effectiveness and patients experiences' 2015-2018, Exercise and heart failure - Co-supervisor, Newcastle University.

Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology (Doctoral) trainees

Current:

Kirsten Ashley, Changing Health Limited. Behavioural intervention targeting diet and physical activity in the context of type 2 diabetes management, 2018-2021.

Completed:

Dr Sebastian Potthoff, Northumbria University. Healthcare Professional Behaviour Change in the context of Type 2 Diabetes management and Alcohol consumption in primary and secondary care, 2015-2018.

I am happy to consider PhD and Stage 2 Health Psychology supervision in the areas outlined above. Please contact me for an initial discussion.