Dr James White

Education and qualifications

• Higher Education Academy Fellow, Postgraduate Certificate of Teaching and Learning, Cardiff University
• Leadership and Management Development Programme for Research Team Leaders, Cardiff University.
• PhD in “Development of Negative Body Image and Disordered Eating during Adolescence”
• MSc in Social Science Research Methods
• BSc in Psychology (Hons)

Honours and awards

• The Seymour Fisher Outstanding Body Image Dissertation Award

External Activities

• Reviewer for Academy of Medical Sciences
• Reviewer for NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme
• Reviewer for NIHR Public Health Research Programme
• Reviewer for the MRC Joint Global Health Trials scheme
• Reviewer for the MRC Population Health Scientist Fellowship scheme
• Reviewer for the MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship
• Reviewer for the MRC Skills Development Fellowship scheme
• Reviewer for the ESRC standard grants scheme
• Reviewer for Cancer Research UK

• Scientific advisor for Evidence to Impact

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Member of the Cochrane Collaboration
• Member of the United Kingdom Society for Behavioural Medicine
• Member of the International Society for Behavioural Medicine

Speaking engagements

• White, J. [invited talk]. Example of a natural experiment of an area-wide regeneration programme. What next for natural experimental studies? 25th November 2019. Medical Research Council & Chief Scientists Office, Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow. Glasgow, United Kingdom.
• White, J. [key note]. Coproducing and prototyping interventions. European Society for Prevention Research. 25th October 2018. Lisbon, Portugal.
• White, J. [invited talk]. Use of propensity score to improve causal inference. MQ Data Science Meeting. 20th September 2018. London, United Kingdom.
• White, J., Hawkins, J., Madden, K., Grant, A., Er, V., Angel, L., Pickles, T., Kelson, M., Fletcher, A., Murphy, S. et al. (2017). Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST+ FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. UK Public Health Science. 24th November 2017. London, United Kingdom.
• White, J., Greene, G., Rodgers, S.E., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., Humphreys, I., Farewell, D., John, A., Webster, C., Phillips, C.  & Fone, D. [invited talk]. Improving mental health through the regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods. Oxford University. Department of Social Policy and Intervention. 24th November 2017. Oxford, United Kingdom.
• White, J., Hawkins, J., Madden, K., Grant, A., Er, V., Angel, L., Pickles, T., Kelson, M., Fletcher, A., Murphy, S. et al. (2017). Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST+ FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. Addictions 2017. 24th October 2017. Lisbon, Portugal.
• Kipping, R., Langford, R., White, J., Metcalfe, C., Papadaki, A., Hollingworth, W., Moore, L., Campbell, R., Ward, D., Jago, R., Brockman, R., Wells, S., Nicholson, A., Collingwood, J. Feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of an environmental intervention in nurseries and a web-based home intervention to increase physical activity, oral health and healthy eating in children aged 2–4 years: NAPSACC UK. Society for Social Medicine. September 6-8, 2017. Manchester, United Kingdom.
• Young H, Turney C, White J, Bonell C, Lewis R, Fletcher A. Dating and Relationship Violence and Non-Volitional Sex Among 16–19 Year-Olds in England and Wales: A Cross-Sectional Study of Types of Victimisation. 23rd Congress of the World Association for sexual health. May 28 – 31, 2017. Prague, Czech Republic.
• Quinn-Scoggins, H.D., White, J. and Kemp, A.  Learn About Burns: A school based burns prevention and first-aid program. Qualitative results for a feasibility study. The 50th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Burns Association. 3rd - 5th May, 2017. London, United Kingdom.
• Quinn-Scoggins, H.D., White, J. and Kemp, A. A feasibility study of a school based burns prevention program: Learn About Burns. The 8th World Congress on Paediatric Burns. 21st - 23rd June, 2017. Birmingham, United Kingdom.
• White, J., Greene, G., Rodgers, S.E., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., Humphreys, I., Farewell, D., John, A., Webster, C., Phillips, C.  & Fone, D. [invited talk]. Improving mental health through the regeneration of deprived neighborhoods. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 23rd March 2016. London, United Kingdom.
• MacArthur, GJ, Caldwell, DM, Redmore, J, Watkins, S, Er, V, Langford, R, White, J, Chittleborough, C, Pasch, K, Lingam, R, Kipping, RR, Gunnell, DJ, Hickman, M Campbell, RM. 2017 Individual-, family- and school-level interventions to prevent multiple risk behaviours in young people aged 8-25 years: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. Society of Social Medicine conference, Manchester, United Kingdom. September 2016.
• Brockman, R.et al. 2016. Parents' and staff's views of adapting the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare in UK nurseries to improve physical activity and healthy eating. The Lancet 388, article number: S27. (10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32263-2). Lancet Public Health Science Conference. 25th November 2016. Cardiff, United Kingdom.
• White, J., Greene, G., Rodgers, S.E., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., Humphreys, I., Farewell, D., John, A., Webster, C., Phillips, C.  & Fone, D. Improving mental health through the regeneration of deprived neighborhoods: A prospective controlled quasi-experimental study. Lancet Public Health Science Conference. 25th November 2016. Cardiff, United Kingdom.
• Rodgers, S.E., Fry, R., Morgan, J., Orford, S., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., White, J.,  & Fone, D. Alcohol outlet density and hospital admissions for alcohol-related injury: an electronic record-linked cohort study. 12th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion. 18–21 September, 2016. Tampere, Finland.
• White, J., Rehkopf, D., Mortensen, L. Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in Body Mass Index, Underweight and Obesity Among English Children, 2007-2008 to 2011-2012. UK CRC Public Health Conference, Edinburgh, 19 – 20 November 2015.
• Hawkins, J., Madden, K., White, J., et al. Collaboration and co-production: A framework for the developing, piloting and refining of public health interventions from the ASSIST+Frank study. Public Health Wales, Cardiff, 2 - 3rd,November 2015.
• Evans, R., White, J. et al. 2015. Systematic review of self-harm and suicide in children and young people in the care of the state. Presented at: 28th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 16-20 June 2015.
• Fone, D. L., Dunstan, F., White, J., Webster, C., Rodgers, S., Lee, S., Shiode, N. Orford, S., Weightman, A., Brennan, I., Sivarajasingam, V., Morgan, J, Fry., R & Lyons, R. Change in alcohol outlet density and the risk of violent crime. (2015). 41st Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society. June 1-5, Munich.
• Batty, D., Zaninotto, P., White, J. (2013). Association between the Duration of Depressive Symptoms over 7 years and Subsequent Mortality Risk: The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Lifelong health and Well-being. 8th November 2013. University College London.
• White, J., Fone, D.L., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., Rodgers, S., Palmer, S., Elliot. Webster., C. (2013). Did the Communities First regeneration programme improve mental health and enhance social cohesion? Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research conference. 25th June 2013. Trefforest, UK.
• White, J., Fone, D.L., Dunstan, F., (2013). The Caerphilly Health and Social Needs Study. Exploiting the Potential of Longitudinal Research Resources for Wales. 7th May 2013. Cardiff, UK.
• Morgan, J.,  Fry,R., Rodgers, S.E., Orford, S., Dunstan,F., Lyons,R., White,J.,  Webster,C., Lee,S., Shiode,N., Weightman, A., Brennan,I., Sivarajasingam,V., & Fone, D. (2012). Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health (CHALICE). Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research conference. 25th June 2013. Trefforest, UK.
• Fry,R.,  Morgan, J., Rodgers, S.E., Orford, S., Dunstan,F., Lyons,R., White,J.,  Webster,C., Lee,S., Shiode,N., Weightman, A., Brennan,I., Sivarajasingam,V., & Fone, D. (2012). Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health (CHALICE). 4th Scottish Health Informatics Programme conference: "Exploiting Existing Data for Health Research". 30th August 2013. St Andrews, UK.
• Fry,R.,  Morgan, J., Rodgers, S.E., Orford, S., Dunstan,F., Lyons,R., White,J.,  Webster,C., Lee,S., Shiode,N., Weightman, A., Brennan,I., Sivarajasingam,V., & Fone, D. (2012). Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health. Welsh Public Health Conference. 18th July 2012. Cardiff, UK.
• White, J., Fone, D.L., Dunstan, F., Lyons, R., Rodgers, S., Palmer, S., Elliot., Webster., C. (2012). Did the Communities First regeneration programme improve mental health and enhance social cohesion? DECIPHer UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence Conference. 16th November 2012. Swansea, UK.
• Fry,R.,  Morgan, J., Rodgers, S.E., Orford, S., Dunstan,F., Lyons,R., White,J.,  Webster,C., Lee,S., Shiode,N., Weightman, A., Brennan,I., Sivarajasingam,V., & Fone, D. (2012). Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health: utilising administrative data. UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence - 3rd Annual Conference and Summer School. 5th – 6th July 2012. Durham, UK.
• Shelton, K., & White, J. (2012). A longitudinal study of the relationship between family functioning and adolescent symptoms of poor mental health.  BPS Developmental Psychology Section Conference. 5th September 2011. Strathclyde, UK.
• Kummer, S., White, J., & Elwyn, G., (2010). To what extent do existing measures of decision making consider deliberation? A systematic search for and analysis of existing measures. International Conference on communication in healthcare. 5th September 2010, Verona, Italy.
• White, J. & Halliwell., E. (2010). Impact of the media on the development of eating disorders. Welsh Assembly Government. July 15th 2010. Cardiff, UK.
• White, J. & Halliwell., E. (2010). Onset of disordered eating associated with exposure to gossip magazines. Appearance Matters 4. June 23rd 2010. Bristol, UK.
• White, J. (2010). Paternal communication reduces the risk of smoking onset during adolescence: A 3 year prospective study. British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference. April 15th 2010. Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
• Watts, T., Dunstan, F., Fone, D., & White., J. (2010). Council tax band in the assessment of response in the Caerphilly Health and social needs longitudinal study. Young Statisticians Meeting. 1st April, 2010, Liverpool, UK.
• White, J. & Halliwell, E. (2007). An investigation into the relationship between excessive exercise, disordered eating and body image: Is frequency of exercise important? BPS, Health Psychology Annual Conference, Thursday 13th September 2007, Nottingham, UK
• White, J. & Halliwell, E. (2005). Effects of TV and Magazine use on Adolescent Body Image. Faculty of Applied Sciences Research Conference, November 2005, Bristol, UK.
• Lewis, M. B. & White, J. (2005). Why psycholinguistic variables are the wrong place to look for AOA effects. BPS Quinquennial Conference. March 31st 2005, Manchester, UK.

Committees and reviewing

• Invited member of Public Health Wales Obesity, Diet and Nutrition Expert Advisory Group
• Associate Editor, BMC Public Health
• College of Experts Member, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
• Postgraduate lead, Centre for Trials Research

• Board memberships: Health and Care Research Wales. Health Research Grants Funding Board; Health and Care Research Wales. PhD Health Studentship Committee.

• Journal reviewer for the: British Medical Journal; International Journal of Epidemiology; JAMA Pediatrics; British Journal of Psychiatry; Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health; Health & Place; Journal of Health Psychology; Australian Psychologist; Public Health Nutrition; BMC Public Health; Preventive Medicine; Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology; Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

• Date
• Type
• Selected

Undergraduate

• BSc Intercalated Clinical Epidemiology
• Module leader for Research Methods 2 (Advanced research methods);
• 5/6 Year MB BCh (Medical undergraduate) curriculum:
• Health & Society Panel (Epidemiology & Public Health) year 2;
• Health & Society Panel (Epidemiology & Public Health) year 3;
• Academic mentor (Year 5 students)

Postgraduate

• I am Post-Graduate Research Lead within the Centre for Trials Research.
• Master’s in Public Health (MPH): Assessor on Epidemiology and Statistical Methodology modules;
• Master’s in Public Health (MPH): Dissertation supervision

External courses

• DECIPHer short course - Evaluating Complex Public Health Interventions.
• Canadian Institute for Collaborative Learning Institute in Evaluation.
• Welsh Government training for Assembly Ministers on natural experiments.

Current research interests

• Epidemiology of risk behaviours
• Aetiology and prevention of drug use
• Design and evaluation of school-based public health prevention interventions
• The rigorous evaluation of complex interventions, in particular the use of natural experiments and cluster randomised trials;
• Mental health as a risk factor for somatic disease
• Neighbourhood effects on mental health
• IQ and health
• Development of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood adolescence
• Socioeconomic differentials in health
• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PhD students

I currently have two PhD students:

• Kaiseree Dias, "Increasing physical activity in pre-school aged children: systematic review, individual participant meta-analysis and intervention pilot." (GW4 Studentship)
• Michael Day, "Preconception Health Improvement: Intervention development to target multiple modifiable risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes" (GW4 Studentship)

Past projects

PhDs awarded

Luke Midgely, "Developing and implementing substance misuse prevention policies in schools: A mixed methods socio ecological case study in Wales" (ESRC; awarded 2019)

Rhiannon Yapp, "Peer moderating and mediating effects upon parent-child relationships, school connectedness and adolescent substance use" (MRC; awarded 2019)

Harriet Quinn Scoggins, "Development and feasibility testing of a school-based programme to prevent childhood burns" (Healing Foundation; awarded 2018)