Health Behaviour and Wellbeing

About us

The Health Behaviour and Wellbeing group is an interdisciplinary research team dedicated to investigating the development and impact of prevention efforts for physical and psychological health and wellbeing.

We carry out high quality national and international research studies into the causes, consequences and prevention of poor physical and mental health. The focus of the group is to promote healthy behaviours with a view to preventing or mitigating lifestyle risks to health and wellbeing. The scope of the group spans the harms associated with substance misuse (eg alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs), lifestyle behaviours (eg poor diet, lack of exercise) and poor mental health.

Our research has been supported by grants from the MRC, ESRC, NIHR, CRUK, JRF, the EC and the AHMRC, with over £8 million of funding awarded for research projects and knowledge exchange activities. We welcome enquiries and applications from students interested in pursuing a PhD with our group, and from academics interested in exchanges and visits.

A person meditating

Research impact

Dr Jennifer Seddon and colleagues' research, which was co-produced with people with lived experience of prescription medication dependence, aimed to improve the quality and experience of care for patients prescribed benzodiazepines, z-drugs, antidepressants, opioids and gabapentinoids – medications that are prescribed to millions of people each year in the UK.

The study positioned patients and healthcare professionals as active and equal partners throughout, and resulted in co-designed solutions to improve the experience of care in three priority areas: 1) improved information and communication, 2) improved continuity of care, and 3) alternatives to medication.

Ultimately, the study resulted in changes to clinical practice in how medications with a risk of dependence are prescribed, managed and deprescribed by participating GP practices in the study. The results of the study are being rolled out to GP practices in the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) region that collectively provide care to 1.1 million people.

More about Research impact

Leadership

Emma Davies

Dr Emma Davies

Reader in Psychology

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Jennifer Seddon

Dr Jennifer Seddon

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

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Membership

Staff

Name Role Email
Dr Mamdooh Alzyood Senior Lecturer in Public Health malzyood@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Jo Brett Professor jbrett@brookes.ac.uk
Katy Burch Assistant Director kburch@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Rosemary Chigevenga Research Fellow rchigevenga@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Georgia Cook Research Fellow gcook@brookes.ac.uk
Lindsey Coombes Associate Lecturer elcoombes@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Emma Davies Reader in Psychology edavies@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Briony Enser Associate Lecturer benser@brookes.ac.uk
Professor David Foxcroft Professor of Community Psychology and Public Health david.foxcroft@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Sarah Hennelly Senior Lecturer in Public Health shennelly@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Sarah Howcutt Academic Director, Global Banking School Partnership and Principal Lecturer in Public Health showcutt@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Fiona Matley Post-Doctoral Research Assistant fmatley@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Laura O'Callaghan Senior Lecturer locallaghan@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Chinwe Onuegbu Lecturer in Public Health conuegbu@brookes.ac.uk
Lilly Sabir Demonstrator in Psychology lsabir@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Jennifer Seddon Senior Lecturer in Psychology jseddon@brookes.ac.uk
Linda Shimumbi Lecturer in Adult Nursing lshimumbi@brookes.ac.uk
Kimberly Slessor Post Doctoral Research Assistant kslessor@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Louise Taylor Professor of Education and Student Experience louise.e.taylor@brookes.ac.uk

Students

Name Thesis Title Supervisors Completed
Urvita Bhatia Co-producing a prevention intervention for adolescent substance use and misuse in a sports-based setting in India Professor David Foxcroft

Active

Fiyory Ghezae Nonlinear pedagogy to support children in play and physical activity Professor Kate Wilmut

Active

Dr Parvati Perman-Howe The effect of alcohol strength on alcohol consumption: a pilot study. Professor David Foxcroft 2020
Luke Prout Self-confidence in non-conveyance decision making amongst paramedics Professor David Foxcroft

Active

Collaborators

Name Role Organisation
Dr Kimberley Hill Associate Professor in Psychology University of Northampton
Dr Parvati Perman Howe Research Associate King’s College London