Research team

Meet our team of researchers.

The WAterS-2 Research Advisory Panel (RAP), pictured above, is made up of experts by experience: stroke survivors, carers and members of the public who worked alongside the research team throughout the project.

The RAP helped shape all aspects of the research, including study design, materials, interpretation of findings and accessible outputs. Read more about the RAP. 

Dr Emma Patchwood

Co-Chief Investigator, The University of Manchester. Emma has worked in stroke research at The University of Manchester for almost 20 years. She led the development of the original WAterS programme. View Emma’s research profile

Prof Audrey Bowen

Co-Chief Investigator, The University of Manchester. Audrey is a Professor of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation at The University of Manchester and has led national and international research collaborations to deliver high quality stroke research. View Audrey’s research profile

Mrs Ann Bamford

Research Advisory Panel Chair and Lead for Patient Carer and Public Involvement and Engagement (PCPIE), The University of Manchester. Ann is a stroke survivor with an honorary contact at The University of Manchester due to her role as Lay Lead for Patient, Carer and Public Involvement and Engagement (PCPIE).

Kate Woodward-Nutt

Project manager/honorary research assistant, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust/University of Manchester. Kate is an occupational therapist by background. She has been based at the University of Manchester for many years, supporting a range of stroke research studies.

Dr Niki Chouliara

Research Fellow, Loughborough University. Niki is an Applied Psychologist at Loughborough University and an Implementation Scientist with a strong psychology background. View Niki’s research profile

Dr Paul Conroy

Senior Clinical Lecturer, Trinity College Dublin. Paul is a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) by background and has experience working with people with aphasia to produce interventions that have an impact. View Paul’s research profile

Dr Sarah Cotterill (now retired)

Reader in Health Services Research, The University of Manchester. Sarah has a strong track record in designing and analysing complex intervention studies, health services research, and NHS policy evaluation. View Sarah’s research profile

Prof Shirley Thomas

Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Psychology, University of Nottingham. Shirley is a Health Psychologist with substantial expertise in developing and testing psychological interventions after stroke. View Shirley’s research profile

Dr Verity Longley

Health Inequalities Research Co-Lead, MMU. Verity is an Occupational Therapist and Lecturer in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has experience in stroke rehabilitation-focused research, and expertise in including vulnerable groups in research to reduce health inequalities. View Verity’s research profile

Dr Natalie Hampson

Dr Lorraine King

Dr Viki Teggart

These three clinical neuropsychologists led on the clinical input in the study, including the therapy being delivered and how staff are trained to deliver it.