Dr Claire Nollett

Biography

Education and Qualifications

• 2021   PhD in low vision and depression, Cardiff University
• 2011   Post-graduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Exeter University
• 2000   BSc Social Psychology, Loughborough University

Career Overview

• 2020 - Present   Academic Lead for Public Involvement & Engagement, Centre for Trials Research
• 2017 - Present   Research Associate/Consultant, Research Design and Conduct Service
• 2014 - 2017        Research Associate/Trial Manager, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University
• 2011 - 2014        Research Fellow/Trial Manager, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2009 - 2011        Psychological Wellebing Practitioner, AWP NHS Trust
• 2007 - 2009        Explorer and Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
• 2005 - 2007        Research Assistant, Eating Disorders, University of London
• 2001 - 2005        Research Assistant, Eating Disorders, University of Leicester

Speaking engagements

• 2019   Oral presentation at the European Society for Low Vision Research & Rehabilitation annual conference
• 2018   Advisor on depression for an online training module hosted by the College of Optometrists
• 2018   PPI workshop "Wellbeing for people with sight loss: Let's create a clear vision for future research"
• 2017   Expert panel member in a training video "The Ageing Eye: Visual Impairment" for the College of Optometrists
• 2016   Presented a webinar on Mental Health to optometrists for NHS Education for Scotland
• 2016   Presented the findings of DEPVIT trial at Mental Health Awareness Day, Bridgend Coallition for Disabled People

Committees and reviewing

• Journal article reviewer for the following eye care journals: Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, British Journal of Visual Impairment, Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Acta Opthalmologica and JAMA Ophthalmology. Reviews also conducted for BJ Psych Open, Brain and Behaviour, Royal Society Open Science and Pilot and Feasibility Studies.

Publications

Teaching

Teaching in the School of Optometry

I have provided online teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate optometry students on topics including 'Research Methods in Healthcare' and 'Identifying and Managing Depression in Low Vision'.

Research Interests

I have managed several trials of psychological interventions for common mental health disorders. Most recently, I was the Trial Manager for RAPID, a study of online Guided Self Help vs individual face-to-face therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The success of the trial was widely reported in the news.

Following my earlier involvement in the Depression in Visual Impairment Trial (DEPVIT), I am working on ways to improve the mental wellbeing of people with sight loss. Please get in touch if you wish to collaborate.

Project Grants

Producing an educational resource to share real life patient stories with eye care students: humanising healthcare. Impact Acceleration Account - £8940 (Lead applicant) - 03/2023

Liver Disease Cymru. NIHR Research Partnership – £99, 896 (Co-applicant: Lead for public involvement) - 02/2023

EXPLAIN Initiative: Creating videos to explain trials concepts to the public.  NIHR, £61, 822 (Co-applicant) - 08/2022

Co-producing a mental health training curriculum for frontline staff in the sight loss sector. RWIF Impact Funding - £24, 632 (Lead applicant) - 29/09/2021

Improving the detection of depression in adults with vision impairment. ZonMw - 53, 980 euros (Co-applicant) - 11/2020

Saponins for Macular Disease (SAMADI) - AltRegen - £1.2m (Co-applicant) - 04/2019

What is the impact of training low vision practitioners to screen & refer for depression on their attitudes and practice? Thomas Pocklington Trust - £8,278 (Lead applicant) - 31/07/2018

Feasibility and Acceptability of a new Clinical Pathway for the Identification of Non-Responders to Glaucoma Eye Drops (the TRIAGE study) Research for Patient and Public Benefit - £225,135 (Co-applicant) - 22/08/2017

Travel & Mobility Grants

Conference Grant - Thomas Pocklington Trust - £850 (Lead Applicant) - 04/2021

Travel Grant - Global Wales International Research Mobility Fund - £1350 (Lead applicant) - 10/11/2020

Collaborators

I have successful collaborations with my colleagues in the School of Optometry & Vision Sciences at Cardiff University and researchers at the Singapore Eye Research Institute and Amsterdam University Medical Centre. I am currently working with RNIB, Guide Dogs, Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network.

Supervision

I have recently supervised an Intercalated Medical Student and am interested in supervising undergrad/postgrad students in the areas of:

• Common mental health conditions, particularly in relation to chronic health conditions
• Psychological interventions
• Mixed methods
• Trials

Engagement

I work in the Centre for Trials research where I am the Academic Lead for Public Involvement & Engagement. I co-ordinate the activities of the CTR's PI&E Hub, which bring together researchers and members of the public to ensure that public involvement and engagement are integrated into all areas of the Centre. I am also a 'MEDIC Champion', meaning that I work with colleagues across the School of Medicine to define, promote and measure PI&E.