Dr Olivia Robinson

Profile

I work as a Senior Implementation Research Fellow with expertise in oncology, multi-long term conditions (MLTC), implementation science, complex intervention development and qualitative and mixed‑methods research across palliative, primary and secondary care.

I began my academic career as a Research Assistant at Leeds Beckett University (2015–2021), where I developed expertise in qualitative and ethnographic research in care home settings. I completed my PhD at Leeds Beckett University (2017–2021), focusing on the care and support needs of nursing home residents with dementia and cancer.

Responsibilities

• Senior Research fellow and Trial manager

Research interests

I have contributed to a portfolio of NIHR‑ and charity‑funded research, including implementation trials, feasibility studies, and process evaluations, and have played senior roles in the delivery of complex, multi‑site studies. I have recognised expertise in patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), particularly with underserved populations.

• CAPTURE (Yorkshire Cancer Research–funded)
  Led the adaptation and implementation of a complex cancer pain management intervention, including qualitative research, co‑design with clinicians and stakeholders, and coordination of a multi‑centre cluster-randomised pilot trial with an embedded process evaluation.
• 3i‑o Study (NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research)
  Co‑investigator providing leadership in patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), supporting inclusive implementation research focused on addressing inequalities in prescribing and service delivery.
• Opioid SMART (NIHR-funded)
  Contributed implementation science and qualitative expertise to support the development and evaluation of strategies to optimise opioid prescribing and pain management in oncology and related care settings.
• EPIC Trial (NIHR‑funded)
  Contributed to a randomised controlled trial in care homes, including data collection, qualitative analysis, and delivery of an embedded process evaluation.

Alongside my research leadership, I supervise doctoral and undergraduate researchers and contribute to the strategic research development within the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences. My work is driven by a strong commitment to translating evidence into practice and informing service improvement and policy within complex health systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Psychology
• MSc in Psychological Approaches to Health , University of Leeds
• BSc in Forensic Psychology, Leeds Trinity University

Professional memberships

• British Psychosocial Oncology Society (BPOS)
• International Psycho-oncology Society (IPOS)

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences
• Division of Primary Care, Palliative Care and Public Health
• St Gemma's Academic Unit of Palliative Care
• Implementation Science