We are a team of researchers from the Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and Applied Health Studies at the University of Birmingham. Our expertise is based on interdisciplinary approaches in mental health and researching young people, families and communities.
Kam Bhui, Professor of Psychiatry & Co-lead
Kam trained to be psychiatrist, psychotherapist and epidemiologist. He has worked in mental health services. Much of his work is on prevention of poor mental health and learning from lived experience when designing new interventions. His particular interest is on understanding the causes of and preventing inequalities in experiences and outcomes of poor mental health. His research usually involves multiple disciplines including sociology and arts as well health and psychology. Kam is Principal Investigator on the Attune project.
Dr Anna Lavis, Associate Professor in Medical Anthropology & Co-lead
Anna Lavis is an Associate Professor in Medical Anthropology in the Department of Applied Health Sciences, and the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. Anna works on social media, eating disorders focusing on mental health and explores approaches and solutions to the key 21st century challenge of mental ill-health.
Dr Roisin Mooney, Project Manager & Researcher
Roisin is a senior postdoctoral researcher in the CHiMES Collaborative group in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on addressing different forms of inequality and using creative methods to facilitate marginalised groups of people to share their stories. She is passionate about working collaboratively with colleagues from different disciplines, and with people who have lived experience of mental health challenges.
Dr Kanwal Mand, Senior Researcher
Kanwal’s research mainly focuses on children, young people, families and communities from a migrant background. Her approach to research is to work in collaboration and partnerships with schools, museums, charities. She is committed to increasing inclusivity for participants in research using creative methods. Kanwal is based at the University of Birmingham and part of the institute of Mental Health.
Dr Melissa Stepney, Senior Researcher
Dr Melissa Stepney is a researcher with a background in social and cultural geography. She works at the University of Oxford, where she focuses on mental health, gender, and the experiences of young people. She’s part of the CHiMES research group, working closely with diverse young people and communities to improve health and care services. Melissa has also led a national study on the needs of trans and gender-diverse young people, creating helpful resources like those found on Healthtalk.org.