Rachel Brown

(she/her)

Publication

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Research

My PhD research was on factors influencing alcohol use in new university students, including analysis of complex settings for manifestation of drinking behaviour. My thesis adopted a socio-ecological approach to alcohol use in first year university students through examination of the interaction of individual, interpersonal and organisational factors that influence drinking behaviour. This project involved development of a broad range of knowledge and skills on research and analysis techniques, research design and theoretical approaches to health behaviour and public health policy. I currently contribute to the programme of research into youth substance use and the delivery and evaluation of complex interventions in youth settings. My PhD thesis considered the role of alcohol in interpersonal processes for students and organisational responses to management of alcohol issues.

I recently led process evaluation work on an NIHR-funded evaluation of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (with Bristol, Stirling and Edinburgh Universities), and was lead qualitative researcher on a CRUK-funded study of primary school children's awareness and attitudes towards e-cigarettes.

I am currently lead investigator on a Welsh Government-funded study aimed at developing a theory of change and evaluability assessment for the whole school approach to mental health. This is a mixed-methods study including qualitative work with key stakeholders involved in developing and delivering the whole school approach to mental health, a document analysis of key policy and practice guidance on such approaches and a comprehensive review of reviews on whole school approaches to mental health. I am also lead investigator on an NIHR-funded study on e-cigarette provision in homeless settings, working with London South Bank, Stirling, Edinburgh Universities and the University of East Anglia.

Linked Awards: Welsh Government . Theory of Change and Evaluability Assessment for the Whole School Approach to Mental Health. Rachel Brown, Graham Moore, Jordan van Godwin, Wolfson Centre. £43,053.00

Teaching

I am co-convenor on the DECIPHer short course 'Process Evaluation', which provides an introduction to process evaluation methods within public health improvement interventions. Delegates learn about developing research questions, using intervention theory, logic models and research design.

I am contributor on the module 'Health Improvement' within the Masters in Public Health.

I am a teaching contributor to the third-year undergraduate module 'Sociology of Health and Illness' and the Child and Youth Policy module of the Masters in Social Work. I also supervise dissertation students and am progress reviewer for 2 PhD students. 

Biography

Senior Research Officer, Welsh Government. Dec 2015 – Nov 2016 (secondment)

My role was to work with colleagues in health research to develop and commission policy evaluations and to provide evidence reviews as requested by health colleagues. I designed and commissioned a review of the Welsh Government 10-year substance misuse strategy 'Working Together to Reduce Harm', which is currently being undertaken. Findings will inform ongoing policy development in this area. I also conducted an evidence review of alcohol warning labelling as a potential intervention.

Project Officer (Students and Alcohol), NUS Wales. Aug 2010 – Sep 2012

My role was to deliver an alcohol social norms project, co-funded by Welsh Government and Drinkaware. This involved liaison with universities to deliver successful trial rollout, to map existing alcohol processes and to aid the project evaluation team from DECIPHer, Cardiff University. I developed a comprehensive guidance toolkit for universities, offering support and advice on alcohol policy and practice. This toolkit has since been disseminated to universities in Wales and forms part of Wales Healthy HE and FE guidance.

Strengthening Families Coordinator (Temporary), Cardiff Alcohol and Drug Team. Jan 2010 - Aug 2010

My role was to organise and deliver an evidence-based programme for families and youth to prevent future problematic alcohol use. I was responsible for all aspects of delivery, including recruitment of families, staff supervision and management of budget. The course had been dormant in Cardiff for a year prior to my appointment due to funding issues. I successfully re-launched it and completed delivery of two programmes as well as recruiting and supervising a new team of volunteer facilitators.

Substance Misuse Worker, Inroads Street Drugs Project. Apr 2005 – Dec 2009

My work involved substance misuse education and prevention with 11-25 year olds, in community and educational settings, including local authority care, pupil referral units, schools and colleges, as well as maintaining a caseload of both youth and adult service users who were using legal and illegal substances problematically. I started with the agency as a volunteer and left as supervisor, second to the project manager and with responsibility for managing staff and volunteers, as well as recruitment, volunteer training and induction. I raised the local profile of the service and significantly improved number of referrals received, leading to increased funding and service capacity. Within my supervisory role I undertook an assessment of the agencies training procedures on Confidentiality and Child Protection and redesigned these to reflect best practice and current guidance, as well as implementing a Continuing Professional Development programme for staff, designed to reflect National Occupational Standards for drug and alcohol workers.

Committees and reviewing

Journal Reviewer, Journal of Youth Studies