Professor Leah Avery

Academic profile

I am a HCPC Registered Practitioner Health Psychologist and Behavioural Scientist. I lead a programme of research that involves the development and evaluation of interventions targeting health behaviours in the context of physical and mental health.

I lead a multidisciplinary team that develops and evaluates interventions including those delivered digitally and in person that meet the needs of patient/community groups, that are suitable for integration into care pathways and organisations, and that are effective for improving health and wellbeing related outcomes.

I have developed a number of behavioural change interventions that have been commissioned, are accessed by people with long-term conditions across the UK and abroad, and have been nominated for and received several awards (e.g., winner of the Quality in Care Award for prevention and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes; Diabetes Professional Care Awards).

My research also involves identifying ways to successfully implement interventions. This involves collaboration with clinicians, members of the public/patient groups, commercial partners, and voluntary sector organisations to better understand the barriers and facilitators to uptake and adherence, what works for whom, under which circumstances and why. To achieve this I also develop and deliver bespoke training programmes and resources for providers of healthcare to help optimise consultation behaviour and facilitate implementation of guidelines into practice.

I am passionate about supporting students, trainees and early career researchers to reach their potential. I provide support and mentorship to colleagues from outside my discipline to use/integrate health psychology and behavioural science into their working practices, teaching and research. I also provide mentorship more generally to help individuals to reach their professional goals.

This profile has been adapted from Teesside University’s website. View the full profile here