Overview

My research focuses on complex interventions and how evidence is used in the real world. My training is in epidemiology, psychology and public health with particular experience using various qualitative and quantitative research approaches to diagnosis, human behaviour, public health initiatives and mental health.

I have particular topic specialisms in health and the environment, primary care, health system evaluation, behaviour change and dementia diagnosis. I work closely with service users, stakeholders and disciplinary professionals in embedded and collaborative roles to develop deeper understanding, explore a range of perspectives and co-create guidance for improved health outcomes.

I am interested in understanding complex and dynamic information for specialist and non-specialist decision making - what do people find useful, versus what evidence is available? How do we identify and measure things that matter to people, versus the things that are usually measured? Who do we produce this evidence for, and why?

I am part of the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health team evaluating green and blue health through several linked programmes of work, including the Horizon 2020 pan-European RESONATE project.

Research specialisms:

• evidence based decision making
• consultation and coproduction with diverse groups
• evaluating healthcare
• qualitative evaluation and mixed methods approaches
• dementia testing and treatment
• systematic reviews and meta-analysis
• creative approaches to communicating complex information
• theory-driven and realist synthesis
• diagnostic and prognostic evaluation

Qualifications

• PhD (University of Exeter, 2019) Medical Studies

• MSc (Open University, 2009) Psychological Research Methods

• BSc Dual Hons (Keele, 2001) Psychology and Criminology

Links

• LinkedIn
• https://twitter.com/HarrietAHunt

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Research

Research interests

I’m interested in how health-related evidence is understood and applied by both the people who produce it and the people who use it. Making the most of the best evidence available is at the core of my work, alongside producting tangible benefits for people on the receiving end of that evidence. This is in order to reduce research waste, increase awareness and buy-in from non-specialists and ensure integrity in the practical application of research to real life.

I have extensive experience in taking collaborative and cross-disciplinary approaches to exploring complexity in interventions and evaluation, including running a rapid RCT based in ICUs at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, conducting embedded research within communities and managing stakeholder-led and co-developed research projects.

Research projects

Current and recent work includes:

• Horizon 2020 pan-European RESONATE project, bringing together a consortium of world leaders in nature-based therapy (NbT) research, practice, policy, and innovation with stakeholders in the health, environmental, economic, and societal sectors
• National Evaluation of the Green Social Prescribing Test & Learn Pilot, a national £5.77 million pilot project supported by NHS England, Defra and others to test how to embed green social prescribing into communities;
• A Handbook for Nature on Prescription to Promote Mental Health, a free evidence-based guide for anyone interested in using Nature on Prescription to support people’s mental health;
• Blue Communities, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund, synthesising  evidence on the interactions between marine and coastal resource management and the health and well-being of coastal communities, centred on South East Asia;
• COVID-NURSE, a randomised clinical trial of a complex behavioural intervention involving nursing care for patients with Covid-19;
• ICON, evaluating evidence for interventions to improve continence in children and young people with neurodisability; and
• PaReNt, exploring parent-to-parent support interventions for parents of babies cared for in neonatal units.

My PhD explored the diagnostic accuracy of brief cognitive assessments when used to identify dementia in general practice with support from the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC, now PenARC). My principal supervisor was Professor Chris Hyde.

I was lead researcher of a diagnostic test accuracy review Thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) for trauma-induced coagulopathy in adult trauma patients with bleeding with the Cochrane Injuries Group, published in the Cochrane Library and working with colleagues at the University of Exeter, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (Oxford), John Radcliffe Hospital, NHS Blood & Transplant (Oxford), Churchill Hospital, Oxford Haemophilia & Thrombosis Centre and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine ICT Centre, Department of Military Anaesthesia and Critical Care in Birmingham, UK.

Research networks

As part of the 2023 Foundation Future Leaders programme, I was selected to join a group of approximately 10 representatives each from the research community, industry, and the civil service and wider public sector. Over a 12-month period, the group meet and discuss with senior figures from government, parliament, universities, large industry, SMEs, research charities and others. Just as importantly, Future Leaders present their own expertise, develop skills and make future contacts. The programme includes external visits and the development of an annual conference for a wider group of mid-career future leaders in science, technology, research and innovation.

I contributed to guidance development on reporting standards in diagnostic test accuracy as part of the PRISMA-DTA Working Group (PRISMA-DTA statement here: http://www.prisma-statement.org/Extensions/DTA).

I am also a member of the GW4 Network (Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Cardiff Universities); Alzheimer's Research UK South West Hub; Sociology of Diagnosis network.

Research grants

• 2016 University of Exeter Doctoral College
  The University of Exeter Doctoral College Postdoctoral Research Awards (Santander award)
• 2014 University of Exeter
  Researcher-led Initiative - Developing research capacity by increasing the knowledge and skills of researchers involved in diagnostic accuracy research
• 2014 RCUK Newton Fund
  The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS South Central & West) Newton Fund - £49, 531: to delivery health technology assessment teaching at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• 2013 University of Exeter Medical School
  Translational Medicine Discretionary Fund - Initiative to support and develop ideas for systematic reviews of dementia for University of Exeter researchers

Links

• Exeter Test Group
• Nature On Prescription

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Publications

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Teaching

I have taught Yr 1 and Yr2 sessions as part of the Clinical Decision Making and Using Evidence Based Medicine modules for University of Exeter Medical School BMBS medical students. I also contributed to developing and teaching the new BMBS elective diagnostic evidence workshops.

I taught on the MSc in Health Services Research - Evidence Synthesis module, and have co-supervised Yr 2 students on their research practical module.

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