Dr Laura McLarty

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Research Fellow in August 2022, working on a 24-month NIHR-funded study following completion of my PhD. This study looks at pressure ulcer prevention for people with long-term neurological conditions who self-manage care and live at home and is a participatory intervention development approach.

My PhD was a realist evaluation of the take up of community antental programmes, in order to further understand inequalities in access. 

My background is in qualitative research with experience spanning over 20 years, working with a range of voluntary, public and private sector clients. I have worked at a number of private sector consultancies for many years as a senior researcher as well as director when running my own research business. Many of the studies I have worked on have involved development or evaluation of specific programmes or interventions to support people, ranging from welfare to work programmes, to educational pilots and media campaigns. A large part of my work has involved research with young people and young adults, as well as people with disabilities, learning difficulties and also young offenders.

Research interests

I am particulary interested in research regarding people’s access to healthcare and barriers and facilitators to this. 

My specialisms involve a range of qualitative methods such as: focus groups (face-to-face and online); interview (face-to-face and online); ethnography; use of mobile ethnography via smartphones. I am experienced in specific methodologies including systems thinking and systems mapping and realist evaluation. I am also very interested in participatory research and have developed skills in working with and supporting peer researchers.

Qualifications

• PhD in Public Health, University of Leeds
• MA in Social and Public Policy, University of Leeds
• BA (Hons) Social Policy and Administration, Leeds Beckett University

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research