Professor Lucy Ziegler

Professor Lucy Ziegler

Profile

My research expertise is in the design, evaluation and implementation of complex interventions that aim to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced incurable disease through timely access to palliative care and effective symptom management.

I am Head of the St Gemma’s Academic Unit of Palliative Care in the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds.

The Academic Unit of Palliative Care undertakes research that aims to: 

  • Improve the assessment and management of pain
  • Improve access to palliative care for patients with advanced cancer
  • Improve identification and management of symptoms towards the end of life
  • Reduce inequalities in access to palliative care locally and globally

As a member of the Martin House Research Centre Management Team I also undertake research  to improve the quality of life of children and young adults with life-limiting conditions and their families. The Martin House Research Centre is a partnership between Martin House Children’s Hospice, the Universities of York and Leeds. 

I have undertaken research aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with cancer since 2001, at the University of Bradford (2001–2008) within the Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, University of Leeds (2008–2012) and more recently within the Academic Unit of Palliative Care University of Leeds (2012-2021).

Responsibilities

  • Head of St Gemma's Academic Unit of Palliative Care
  • Martin House Research Centre Management Team https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/public-h
  • Lead for Student Education , Co-Lead I&P Year 1 MBChB

Research interests

I have received external research grant income from the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and charities (CRUK, YCR, Macmillan): 17 awards totalling £7.5 million, five (£2.2million) as Chief Investigator.

I currently lead the RESOLVE programme, a £1.4million programme of research that aims to improve the identification and effective management of symptoms for patients with advanced cancer.  

Prior to joining Leeds Institute of Health Sciences I was senior research fellow (2008–2012) in the Leeds Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, St James's Institute of Oncology, where I undertook research aimed at improving the management of distress in oncology and worked on the NIHR programme eRAPID which developed an intelligent system for online reporting of cancer symptoms. 

Between 2001 and 2008 I was a research fellow at the University of Bradford undertaking research with head and neck cancer patients, exploring psychological difficulties and adaptation to disease.

Qualifications

  • PhD Psycho-onoclogy
  • MSc Research Methods
  • BSc Health Sciences

Student education

I have a large education component to my role. As Institute Lead for Education I oversee our portfolio of undergraduate and taught post graduate education.   

I am Academic Sub Dean for Year 2 of the undergraduate medical degree and supervisor for Year 1 and Year 4 medical students undertaking research modules and medical students undertaking an intercalated BSc. .

I currently supervise 3 post graduate researchers undertaking PhDs in subjects aligned to my research interests. 

Research groups and institutes

  • Leeds Institute of Health Sciences
  • Division of Primary Care, Palliative Care and Public Health
  • Palliative care

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>