Heather Trickey
Research Fellow
- trickeyhj@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 9609
- 1-3 Museum Place
- Available for postgraduate supervision
My research focuses on public health policy intervention and parenthood. Current and recent research projects have looked at infant feeding policy, public health message communication and peer support intervention. I tend to explore policy questions - Why do some policies or interventions, in some places, appear to ‘work’ whilst others fail? Where and how could intervention be improved?
I'm interested in the human experience of public health policy and in understanding how policy can be improved by elevating and enfolding this experience. For example, for NCT charity I led a participative policy-research review of infant feeding policy, leading to changes in services and messaging. I'm working with Public Health Wales to develop a community-focused approach to improving infant feeding outcomes. And I'm working with BPAS as the research lead for a Wellcome Funded engagment project that looks at risk communication in pregnancy (see https://www.wrisk.org/)
I have an academic background in geography, epidemiology and in social policy and I am an experienced qualitative researcher with an interest in realist approaches to evaluation. My PhD thesis considered the implications for intervention design of conceptualising breastfeeding peer support as intervention inserted in a complex ecological system of wider influences in feeding decisions.
My PhD thesis can be accessed here: Trickey, H. (2018) Theorising breastfeeding peer support as intervention in a complex ecological system: lessons for implementation and evaluation in a Welsh context. Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. School of Social Sciences. Cardiff University http://orca.cf.ac.uk/122714/1/Heather%20Trickey%2C%20final%20thesis.pdf
Potted employment history
Health and social policy evaluation has the consistent theme throughout working life. I’ve hopped the fence between academic research departments and research commissioning organisations, having worked for research centres, the civil service and in the third sector.
- DECIPHer, Cardiff University, Research Fellow (2018 - present)
- NCT Senior Researcher (2010-2018);
- DECIPHer, Cardiff University, Research Associate (2016-2018);
- Career break (2006-9);
- NCT Senior Policy Research Officer (2004-5);
- Senior Research Officer: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2002-4);
- Senior Research Officer: Inland Revenue (2002-4);
- Research Associate: Centre for Research In Social Policy, Loughbourgh University (1997-2000);
- Research Assistant, Dept. Social Medicine, Bristol University (1995-97);
- Research Assistant: Health Promotion Wales (1993-94).
Professional memberships
- Trustee - NCT Charity; 2018 - present
Current Adivsory Roles
- Public Health Wales - Advisor to Welsh Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly project; 2018 - present
- Welsh Government - Infant feeding strategy group; 2017-present
- UNICEF Baby Friendly UK - Designation Committee Member; 2014 - present
- NCT Charity - Research Advisory Committee; 2008 - present
2020
- Clarke, J. L.et al. 2020. The ABA intervention for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation: Feasibility study results. Maternal and Child Nutrition 16(1), article number: e12907. (10.1111/mcn.12907)
2019
- Brown, A., Finch, G. and Trickey, H. 2019. Women face enough barriers to breastfeeding — incorrect medication advice should not be one of them. The Conversation 2019(11 Apr)
- Woollard, F.et al. 2019. Feeling good about how we feed our babies. [Online]. University of Southampton/Cardiff University. Available at: http://feelingsaboutfeedingbabies.co.uk
- Brown, A.et al. 2019. ‘A lifeline when no one else wants to give you an answer’: An evaluation of the Breastfeeding Network drugs in breastmilk service.. The Breastfeeding Network. Available at: https://breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/pdfs/BfN Final report .pdf?fbclid=IwAR1fEo30u42q8IQ6yEoTx5dYMJA_RXzFfNp6DLjBNOml5FbG9JwWhBCNDRc
- Brown, A. and Trickey, H. 2019. Understanding the impact of family and partner attitudes, experience and expectations upon breastfeeding.. Practising Midwife 21(11), pp. 14-18.
- Hennessy, M.et al. 2019. Time for complete transparency about conflicts of interest in public health nutrition research.. HRB Open Research 2(1) (10.12688/hrbopenres.12894.1)
- Trickey, H. 2019. Gender stereotyping in childhood. Behavioural interventions with parents: three issues to consider. Presented at: Commission on Gender Stereotypes, Fawcett Society, 09 July 2019. pp. -.
- Trickey, H. 2019. Infant feeding policy and peer support for a Welsh Context. Presented at: Launch of the All Wales Infant Feeding Action Plan, All Nations Centre, Cardiff, 19th March 2019. pp. -.
- Trickey, H. 2019. What is this thing called ‘Breastfeeding Peer Support’ – and how does it work?. Presented at: iLactation Online Conference, Online, March 2019. pp. -.
2018
- Trickey, H.et al. 2018. Introducing WRISK: drawing on women’s experiences to develop recommendations for public health messaging in pregnancy. [Online]. WRISK Project. Available at: https://www.wrisk.org/uncategorized/introducing-wrisk-drawing-on-womens-experiences-to-develop-recommendations-for-public-health-messaging-in-pregnancy/
- Trickey, H. and Brown, R. 2018. Women need better information about drinking in pregnancy. [Online]. The Conversation: The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/women-need-better-information-about-drinking-in-pregnancy-96869
- Brown, R. and Trickey, H. 2018. Devising and communicating public health alcohol guidance for expectant and new mothers: a scoping report. [Devising and communicating public health alcohol guidance for expectant and new mothers: a scoping report]. Alcohol Research UK website: Alcohol Research UK.
- Trickey, H. 2018. Infant feeding and a changing public health policy direction. [Online]. Ourmilkyway.org: OurMilkyWay. Available at: http://www.ourmilkyway.org/infant-feeding-changing-public-health-policy-direction/
- Phillips, R.et al. 2018. Development of a novel motivational interviewing (MI) informed peer-support intervention to support mothers to breastfeed for longer. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 18, article number: 90. (10.1186/s12884-018-1725-1)
- Jolly, K.et al. 2018. Protocol for a feasibility trial for improving breast feeding initiation and continuation: assets-based infant feeding help before and after birth (ABA). BMJ Open 8(1), article number: e019142. (10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019142)
- Trickey, H. 2018. Breastfeeding peer support: What works?. [Online]. UNICEF Baby Friendly UK Website: UNICEF Baby Friendly UK. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/breastfeeding-peer-support-what-works/
- Trickey, H.et al. 2018. A realist review of one-to-one breastfeeding peer support experiments conducted in developed country settings. Maternal & Child Nutrition 14(1), article number: e12559. (10.1111/mcn.12559)
- Trickey, H. 2018. Theorising breastfeeding peer support as intervention in a complex ecological system: lessons for implementation and evaluation in a Welsh context. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Trickey, H. 2018. What sorts of breastfeeding peer support interventions should we be developing?. Presented at: Breastfeeding Network Annual Conference, Birmingham, 6 October 2018. pp. -.
2017
- Paranjothy, S.et al. 2017. A novel peer-support intervention using motivational interviewing for breastfeeding maintenance:a UK feasibility study. Health Technology Assessment 21(77) (10.3310/hta21770)
- Trickey, H. 2017. Breastfeeding peer support: lessons for design. Perspective 37
- Trickey, H. 2017. ITV Wales Studio Expert for lead six o'clock news item on low breastfeeding rates in Wales. ITV Wales.
- Trickey, H. 2017. Can we have better conversations about feeding?. [Online]. UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Website: UNICEF UK. Available at: http://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/better-conversations-about-feeding/?sisearchengine=352&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=bf_social
- Trickey, H. 2017. Online expert: Q&A for parenting science gang. [Online]. Parenting Science Gang Website: Parenting Science Gang. Available at: http://parentingsciencegang.org.uk/web-chats/breastfeeding-rates/
- Trickey, H., Totelin, L. M. V. and Sanders, J. 2017. Nain, Mam and Me: Historical artefacts as prompts for reminiscence, reflection and conversation about feeding babies. A qualitative development study. Research for All 1(1), pp. 64-83. (10.18546/RFA.01.1.06)
- Trickey, H. and Ashmore, S. 2017. Infant feeding: changing the conversation.. Infant 13(1), pp. 26-28.
- Trickey, H. and Gray, H. 2017. Protecting babies in emergencies: Guidance is needed on infant and young child feeding for families in the UK affected by disasters and emergencies. [Online]. UNICEF Baby Friendly website: UNICEF Baby Friendly UK. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/feeding-in-emergencies/
- Trickey, H. 2017. Developing a community-based breastfeeding intervention for low-income, low breastfeeding rate Welsh Communities. Presented at: Welsh Government Task and Finish Strategy Group, Cardiff, 10 November 2017.
2016
- Trickey, H. 2016. Infant feeding: Changing the conversation - ecological thinking. Perspective 133
- Trickey, H. 2016. A brief excursion into critical realism (via the topic of breastfeeding peer support). Presented at: The 4th SCENE Symposium, Falun, Sweden, 26 August 2016.
- Trickey, H. 2016. Peer support: how do we know what works?. Perspective 31, pp. 44-49.
- Trickey, H. 2016. Beyond ‘choice’ … how might an ecological perspective change the terms of the infant feeding debate?. Presented at: The Breastfeeding Dilemma Workshop, London, 23 March 2016.
- Trickey, H. 2016. Peer Support: What can the evidence tell us? (And what does it miss?). Presented at: Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, Annual Conference, Birmingham, 11 June 2016.
- Trickey, H., Totelin, L. M. V. and Sanders, J. 2016. Mamgu, mam and me: feeding babies in Wales - now and then. Exhibition for the general public at Cardiff Story Museum. [Exhibition]. Cardiff Story Musuem, 5-6 November 2016.
2015
- Trickey, H., Totelin, L. M. V. and Sanders, J. 2015. Nain and Mam and me: Historical artefacts, social history and opening the conversation about infant feeding in Wales. [Blog]. Fferm Mathrafal, Meifod, Wales, 1-8 August 2015.
- Trickey, H. 2015. Interpreting and communicating the evidence for breastfeeding peer support. Presented at: Reserach Advisory Group NCT, St James's Hospital, London, October 2015.
- Trickey, H. 2015. A conceptual framework for breastfeeding peer support.. Presented at: Research Advisory Comittee, King’s College London, UK, 21 October 2015.
- Trickey, H. and Plachcinski, R. 2015. Communicating and contextualising public health messages: what forms of information do new and expectant parents find helpful and respectful?. Presented at: Drinking for Two: Alcohol Concern Cymru’s 2015 Conference, Cardiff, UK, 21 September 2015.
- Trickey, H.et al. 2015. Clarifying and communicating a conceptual framework for breastfeeding peer support interventions: are we talking about the same thing here?. Presented at: Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Biocultural Perspectives, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, UK, 10-12 June 2015.
- Trickey, H., Sanders, J. and Totelin, L. M. V. 2015. Nain and Mam and Me: historical artefacts, social history and opening the conversation about infant feeding in Wales. NCT Perspective 29, pp. 33-34.
- Trickey, H. and Sanders, J. 2015. Clarifying and communicating a conceptual framework for breastfeeding peer support interventions: what are the key components, how do we expect them to interact? [Conference abstract]. Maternal & Child Nutrition 11(S2), pp. 115-116.
2014
- Trickey, H. 2014. Re-thinking our ideas about peers. The role of peer support. Presented at: ‘Peer Support for Breastfeeding – What next?, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, 6th November 2014.
- Trickey, H. and Sanders, J. 2014. Applying a realist lens to the evidence for breastfeeding peer support. Presented at: The 1st International Conference on Realist Approaches to Evaluation and Synthesis: Successes, Challenges, and the Road Ahead., Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK, 27-30 October 2014.
- Trickey, H. and Newburn, M. 2014. Goals, dilemmas and assumptions in infant feeding education and support. Applying theory of constraints thinking tools to develop new priorities for action. Maternal & Child Nutrition 10(1), pp. 72-941. (10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00417.x)
- Trickey, H. 2014. Complexity thinking in public health. Presented at: Developing Complex Public Health Interventions, Cardiff, Wales, 25-27 June 2014.
2013
- Trickey, H. 2013. Peer support for breastfeeding continuation: an overview of research. Perspective - NCT's journal on preparing parents for birth and early parenthood(21), pp. 15-20.
- Brown, R. and Trickey, H. 2013. Does the Welsh political climate make it easier to 'do' good public health?. Presented at: Wales: Doing Things Differently, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, 15 November 2013.
- Trickey, H. and Newburn, M. 2013. Research unwrapped: Goals assumptions and dilemmas in infant feeding education and support. The Practicing Midwife 16(9), pp. 50-53. (10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00417.x)
- Trickey, H. 2013. Infant feeding support: The NCT journey. Presented at: All Wales Midwifery Forum, Royal College of Midwifery, Cardiff, UK, March 2013.
- Trickey, H. 2013. Could complex adaptive systems thinking reach the parts infant feeding policy is not reaching? Applying key concepts to policy making in Wales? [Conference Abstract]. Maternal and Child Nutrition 9(Sup. 3), pp. 29-30.
- Thomson, G. and Trickey, H. 2013. What works for breastfeeding peer support - time to get real. European Medical Journal: Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2013(1), pp. 15-22.
- Trickey, H. 2013. Thinking ecologically about infant feeding policy in Wales. Presented at: Healthier, Happier, Fairer Communities: Welsh Public Health Conference, Cardiff, UK, 10-11 October 2013.
2012
- Trickey, H. 2012. Proactive breastfeeding counselling support - a contradiction in terms? Thinking about opportunities and challenges.. Presented at: NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor's Forum, Birmingham University, Birmingham, UK, September 2012.
- Trickey, H. 2012. Delivering best practice in peer support: a realist approach to intervention design. Presented at: NCT Research Advisory Group, NCT, London, UK, April 2012.
Projects
Principal Applicant: Trends and experiences of delivery of breastfeeding peer support in England and Wales, since 2014. Funder: Breastfeeding Network. Commenced 2019.
Co-applicant: Health PathfinderEvaluation (Service evalutation focused on improving identifcation and referral for Domestic Violence/ Abuse in Health Service settings). £195,000 awarded. Commenced April 2019
Academic Research Lead and Co-applicant: WRISK - Engaging women to improve risk communication on pregnancy. Wellcome Trust. Engagment Award £100,000 awarded. Commenced June 2018.
Principal Applicant: Community based breastfeeding intervention: Scoping review and systems scan to develop and refine a theory for a community-based breastfeeding intervention to be delivered in low income welsh communities. Public Health Wales. £27,505 awarded. Commenced November 2017.
Co-applicant: Devising and communicating public health guidance on alcohol in pregnancy. Alcohol Concern Wales. £6,000 Commenced May 2017
Co-applicant: Assets-based feeding help Before and After birth (ABA): feasibility study for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation. NIHR, Public Health Research Programme £320,163 awarded. Commenced November 2016
Co-applicant: Nain, Mam and Me: infant feeding in Wales, social history and modern practices. Wellcome Trust, Humanities Collaborative Awards. £18 419 awarded. Commenced July 2015
Thesis
Title: Theorising breastfeeding peer support as intervention in a complex ecological system; lessons for implementation and evaluation in a Welsh context
Summary: My thesis set out to explore and articulate theories of breastfeeding peer support and to consider their potential in a Welsh infant feeding context – a context that is characterised by low breastfeeding rates overall, by high rates of ‘breastfeeding disappointment’ and by marked social and geographical polarisation in feeding decisions.
Funding: MRC / NCT Charity
Doctorate awarded: 2018
Supervisors: Professor Simon Murphy, Professor Julia Sanders