Personal Statement
Joanne is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work focuses on public mental health, with particular interests in the broader social and community determinants of mental health and wellbeing. Her research explores how social connections, environments, and behaviours shape health outcomes, including the role of social assets such as arts and culture, communities, social prescribing, and interpersonal relationships, alongside social deficits including loneliness and isolation.

Student mental health is a central focus of Joanne’s research. She co-ordinates the annual Student Mental Health (SMH) survey at the University of Liverpool and leads evaluations of student mental health and wellbeing services. Her work examines the wider determinants of student mental health, including factors such as accommodation and social connectedness, alongside the evaluation of clinical and support services designed to improve student wellbeing.

Joanne also conducts research into public mental health interventions, with a particular focus on creative health and the role of the arts in supporting wellbeing. She has worked extensively with arts and cultural partners, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, to evaluate and explore the impact of interventions such as live music on health and wellbeing.