Our work programme leads are responsible for research activities in four different areas. These activities are competitively funded and include research projects, collaborations and core developmental activities for research staff.

We work with research staff across The University of Manchester and externally, promoting and undertaking social care research.

Collaborations include those with:

• NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM)
• NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety and Translational Research Centre (PSTRC)
• Institute for Health Policy and Organisation (IHPO)

We work with other parts of the NIHR to promote social care research and develop capacity. This includes the Research Support Service (RSS) Hub and national Specialist Centre for Social Care, and the Regional Research Delivery Network (RDN), including the Enabling research in care homes (ENRICH) initiative and dedicated Home Care Research Engagement Portal. 

We also work with Greater Manchester local authorities in developing their social care research capacity, including a portfolio of studies aiming to use routinely generated data on social care for evaluation and service development and through the Greater Manchester Social Work Academy. 

Senior Lecturer in Social Care/Deputy Director of Social Care and Society; Capacity-Building Team, management team

Dr Paul Clarkson is Deputy Director of SCS at Manchester. He leads on collaborative research in Manchester and other universities with a focus on digital social care and data analytics using routine data, dementia support, trials and observational studies.

He is part of international partnerships in ageing assessment and promotes innovative public participation methods.  He is also social care specialty lead for the NIHR North-West Regional Research Delivery Network (RDN) and senior advisor for the Research Support Service Specialist Social Care Centre.

Read Paul’s research profile.

Senior Research Fellow, Social Care and Society. Management team

Read Katrina’s research profile.

Mental Health Social Care Incubator Project Manager

Email: sioned.davies@manchester.ac.uk

Research Fellow, Social Care and Society

Read Sue’s research profile

Research Assistant

I am currently assisting on the Empowered Together Project which explores a co-ordinated approach to social care in prison.

My previous education includes an MEd in the Psychology of Education, and a BSc in Applied Psychology. 

Research Fellow, Social Care and Society

Read Reena’s research profile 

PhD Student

I am currently completing a PhD surrounding the delivery of social care to people in prison. My previous education includes a BSc in Psychology and a MSc in Mental Health Research.

I have experience working as a research assistant for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust and the University of Manchester, mainly working on systematic reviews and survey research.

Research Assistant, Social Care and Society

Read Adam’s research profile

Research Assistant, Social Care and Society

Read Amelia’s research profile

Professor of Global Mental Health, Social Care and Society

Read Vimal’s research profile  

Research Assistant, Social Care and Society

View Kate’s research profile

PhD Student, Social Care and Society

Read Bethany’s research profile 

Honorary Research Assistant, Centre of Mental Health and Society

After completing my undergraduate degree and MRes in Criminology at Lancaster University I took a move away from academia and spent the following decade working in substance misuse and mental health services with offender populations. This led me to work both in the UK and New Zealand developing and delivering various programmes within female and male prisons, gang initiatives, the Drug Court, residential rehabilitation, and respite services.

During this time my interest grew in understanding the aetiology of substance misuse, the effectiveness of treatment interventions and drug policy. This was a motivator to my recent transition into research. Currently, I am working as part of the team on the ‘Substance Misuse Services Evaluation in HMP Berwyn: a mixed method study’ whilst undertaking my PhD under the guidance and supervision of Professor Rob Poole, and Professor Catherine Robinson.

After completing my undergraduate degree and MRes in Criminology at Lancaster University, I stepped away from academia and spent the next decade working in substance misuse and mental health services within the criminal justice system, primarily in prisons. This work took me across the UK and New Zealand, where I developed and delivered programmes in male and female prisons, gang initiatives, the Drug Court, and residential rehabilitation and respite services. During this time, my interest in the aetiology of substance misuse, treatment effectiveness, and drug policy grew, motivating my recent transition back into research.

As part of research teams at both the University of Manchester and Bangor University, I have worked on studies focused on self-harm and suicide in low- and middle-income countries, social care needs of women in prison, and substance misuse treatment delivery in male prisons. In 2022, I began my PhD, which evaluates substance misuse services in a male prison and three to six months post-release using a narrative approach.

Honorary Research Fellow, Social Care and Society

Read Saqba’s research profile 

Honorary Research Fellow

I am a Business and Practice Manager in a GP surgery in Greater Manchester (Huntley Mount Medical Practice, Bury) with experience in primary care, research, and education.  I have a track record of supporting multiple GP surgeries, during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. I am committed to enhancing outcomes for underserved communities through vaccine delivery, public health initiatives, and contributions to social care research. My research collaborations have thus far focused on dementia care, engaging in NIHR-funded projects with the Universities of Manchester and Plymouth.

I am a qualified teacher, also teaching English as an Additional Language in Greater Manchester and London high schools and extensive experience working in an autism specialist ‘barrier free’ school in North Manchester. I speak fluent Urdu and Punjabi and have used my professional experience and language skills to engage communities since 1996, in education and health and care sectors.

I have contributed to research with the Social Care and Society research group already as a co-investigator and collaborator on NIHR-funded research grants. I contribute to research support and delivery for social care studies with the new North-West Regional Research Delivery Network (RDN).

Honorary Research Associate

Read Noor’s research profile

Honorary Senior Research Fellow

Mike is an Associate Professorial Research Fellow in the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He has worked at the interface of research-policy-practice for over 20 years at local, regional, and national levels. His research interests include mental health, dementia, homelessness and public involvement in research.

Mike has supported many researchers in social care to develop their research interests and careers. He is the managing editor of the Journal of Long-term Care and a member of the board for the ENMESH mental health research network.

View Mike’s research profile

Honorary Research Fellow

Before co-founding Made By Mortals (MBM) in 2017, Paul worked for 12 years as a freelance dramatist and project manager using creativity to engage underserved communities and drive social change.

During this time, he worked for many cultural and social organisations across the North West, including The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Camerata (orchestra), Cheshire East Council, The Together Trust (children’s charity), and Bolton at Home (social housing group.)  

As CEO of Made By Mortals (MBM), Paul has supported hundreds of people with a broad range of lived experience to bring their experience to life through participatory arts practice, producing films, audio stories, theatre, music, and interactive workshops. Paul has written and co-written articles about MBMs creative methodology that have been published in Public Money & Management magazine, Child and Adolescent Mental Health journal, and Research Involvement and Engagement journal.

Under Paul’s leadership and using MBMs approach, MBM has won Audio Production Awards (Grassroots Production) 2023, Manchester Publicity Awards (Best Audio) 2023, Royal Society of Public Health: Health and Wellbeing Awards (Arts in Health) 2022

Outstanding Contribution to PPIE Awards University of Manchester 2022, British Podcasting Awards (Bronze) 2022, BBC Making a Difference Award (Community) 2022, and Digital City Awards (Best Use of Tech by a Non-profit) 2022. Paul is currently co-lead and PPI lead on multiple health and social care research projects and MBM are delivering their creative approach across the research and health and social care sector. 

Honorary Research Associate

I am a quantitative social scientist, with over ten years experience in research focused on communities, criminal and family justice, and the interlinks with health and social care.

My research involves large scale data linkage (including national and international administrative data), data management, statistical analysis and data visualisation, as well as primary data collection, survey design and public engagement.

Honorary Research Fellow

Read Rebecca’s research profile

Honorary Research Fellow

Dr. Baber Malik is an honorary researcher at Social Care and Society, with over a decade of experience in dementia research and health and social care. His work primarily focuses on advancing knowledge and improving care outcomes for people with dementia.

As an Honorary Research Fellow, Dr. Malik provides key insights into dementia research within hard-to-reach communities, including Black and Minority Ethnic groups. His PhD research centred on improving diagnostic assessments for these communities, and he continues to explore the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. This ongoing research has deepened his understanding of dementia and its impact on diverse populations.

Previously, Dr. Malik was a Clinical Trial Manager/Project Lead at the University of Manchester, where he managed national dementia studies aimed at improving the understanding of devolution in health and social care in Greater Manchester and diagnosis and treatment for dementia. At Social Care and Society, he applies his extensive experience to support and advance research in dementia care.

Honorary Research Fellow

Read Christopher’s research profile

Honorary Research Fellow

Paro is an Honorary Research Fellow at Social Care and Society. Her work here continues her PhD research at The University of Manchester, which looked at suicide and self-harm in Indian women. Her research interests include the role of gender and sexuality in suicide and self-harm, digital ethics in suicide research, and the role of political activism in suicide prevention.

Read Paro’s research profile.

Honorary Research Associate

Honorary Research Fellow

Sue retired from the University of Manchester at the end of September, 2021, but remains an Honorary Research Associate at Social Care and Society.

Honorary Research Fellow

I currently work for Manchester City Council as a Performance and Insight Lead in our Performance, Research and Intelligence service.

I manage a team of data, performance reporting, analytical and evaluation specialists supporting Adults and Children’s Social Care providing expert support to these services to enable them to make best use to data and research that inform evidence-based decisions.

My focus is on the implementation of high-quality statistical analysis and models to improve the insight that can be gained from routinely collected data across health, social care and system integration to evidence strategic and operational decisions. I led the evaluation of new care models to understand the impact of almost £100m investment in Manchester via the Greater Manchester Transformation Fund to support the integration of health and social care services.  

I lead Manchester City Council Performance and Intelligence Team’s contribution to Data Analytic Partnership with Social Care and Society Research Group, Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work.

Senior Research Fellow

David Wood is a highly experienced senior management professional and leader, with a demonstrable track record in developing strategic approaches designed to support maximising the delivery of healthcare quality and safety to people who access healthcare.

He started his career in the NHS in 2000 and is currently an associate director in the quality directorate at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), which is a provider of services to two million people across the North West. David is also the supervisor of the management of regulated physical, mental health and learning disability care activity for CWP.

 In his professional role with CWP, David has acted as a national advisor, including:

• ‘Recommendations to Impact’ representative (Health Services Safety Investigations Body, since 2024)
• ‘Learning to be Safer Expert and Advisory Group’ member (Health Education England, 2016)
• ‘Director of assurance’ representative (NHS Providers’ Quality Reference Group, 2015)
• ‘National Audit & Governance Group’ member (Department of Health, 2004 –2008)

David has also regularly contributed to the work of commissioners, regulators, public bodies and royal colleges, and has presented at international conferences on the subjects of quality and safety. This has included presentations on these subjects as evidence-based scientific disciplines. The teams he has led have won two national awards, namely a clinical audit award for patient involvement, and a patient safety award for early stage innovation.

As a researcher, David is committed to translational research, has had posters shortlisted twice by ‘Translation Manchester’, and has actively contributed to professional and research publications. David’s PhD thesis was entitled ‘A mixed methods study exploring serious incident frameworks in mental health Trusts in England’. He was awarded his doctoral degree by The University of Manchester in May 2024. David used a multi-phase, sequential mixed methods research design to determine findings concerning the complex, systemic factors that influence patient safety efforts. His thesis was complemented by the successful publication of four peer reviewed journal articles.

Honorary Research Associate 

Dr Rosie Allen is a post-doctoral researcher with over eight years of experience in mental health, psychology, and social care research. Her expertise spans a range of methodological approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs. Rosie’s PhD focused on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on university students’ mental health and education across the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This work led to several peer-reviewed publications, informed local policy changes, and was featured in national news and radio coverage. Rosie is currently based at the Ministry of Justice, where she is part of a team evaluating accredited programmes delivered in prisons and probation settings to reduce reoffending.

Honorary Senior Research Fellow 

Dr Anne Krayer is an honorary researcher at Social Care and Society and a research fellow at the Centre for Mental Health and Society, Bangor University. Anne is a qualitative researcher with a particular focus on participator methods. Her works focuses on the interface of health and social care provision for people with mental illness and those who self-harm with the aim of improving collaboration between health and social care services to better support people with lived experience of mental health illness and their families and communities.

She brings her qualitative perspectives and key methodological skills to Social Care and Society. She has collaborated closely with Manchester colleagues on SASHI (suicide and self-harm initiative), where she led the qualitative work. This work has informed further research in the UK exploring considerations in establishing a self-harm registry within secondary care settings.

Anne is a member of the Steering group of the Mental Health Social Care Incubator, an NIHR-funded initiative,  which is co-led by Prof Catherine Robinson.

In addition to her research, Anne plays an active role in supporting and developing postgraduates and early career researchers at Bangor University. She also contributes to the Manchester research community through her involvement in MARSS (Methods and Research in Service Settings) meetings and fosters collaboration and methodological development across teams.

Honorary Research Fellow 

Leila Sharda is a clinical academic mental health nurse and the lead for undergraduate student-selected modules in medical education at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft). Leila holds a BSc (Hons) in Sexual Health, an MSc in Advanced Practice, and a PhD in Applied Health Services Research.

With over 20 years of experience in the NHS, Leila is committed to inclusive practice, patient and public involvement, and supporting underserved communities. Leila’s research interests include evidence synthesis, physical health in mental health, and clinical education. Leila currently holds an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award.

Honorary Research Fellow

My name is Dr. Ertan Teodorescu-Arghezi and I am currently a psychiatry resident doctor working for Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust (LSCFT). 

I hold a MEd in Clinical Education from University of Leeds and I have been involved in medical education in undergraduate and postgraduate settings

Honorary Senior Research Fellow 

Ryan Cowley-Sharp is the Director of social work at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. He is passionate about developing research capacity for professional in practice.

Ryan’s research interests have centred on the mental health care and social care, mental health social care, and social work professional identity. Ryan held an NIHR practice based leadership award and has been involved in a number of studies in this area

 Honorary Research Fellow 

Senior Research Nurse with the NIHR’s Agile Research Delivery Team.

Qualified in 1988 in Adult nursing and has been a Research nurse since 2015.

Currently supporting Cognitive studies in the prison population (DECISION 2).

I have a wide extensive experience of study delivery in all specialities including Vaccination and Covid studies but have particular interest in Prison and Residential settings.

Currently working with the NIHR Palliative Care leads to introduce studies into Hospices