Research Team
The Arthritis + Farmers research team, includes experts in farming, work life, social care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and arthritis.
Professor Nick Evans is leading the study as Principal Investigator (PI). He is a Human Geographer with expertise in farming communities, farm families and farming stress. As a research director, he has managed many funded research projects and teams. He is widely published and a skilled specialist in farmer interviews through research and consultancy projects.
Dr. Victoria J. E. Jones is a Human Geographer and Research Fellow, with expertise in the working body, workplace identity, affect and qualitative research methods. Victoria has led and managed academic and non-academic funded projects. She has a track record in report writing and academic publications. Victoria has previously worked with farmers and brings that experience to the study.
Professor Derek Kyte is a Professor of Physiotherapy and Honorary Research Fellow (University of Birmingham). Derek is an expert in patient reported health outcomes and quality of life research. He brings practitioner skills to the project and has a track record of grant income generation, project leadership and high-impact publications
Dr Peter Unwin is a Principal Lecturer in Social Work. He is an expert in under-served communities and access to health resources. He has many decades of experience of interacting sensitively with individual study participants. Peter has an established record of successfully completed research projects and publications, including those producing video as outcomes.
Dale Turner is a Lecturer and Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, and an early career researcher specialising in long-term conditions and pain. He brings extensive clinical expertise in arthritis, with a focus on patient adaptation and self-management. Integrating clinical practice with emerging research, Dale works to support individuals in optimising function, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
Dr Terri Grant is a Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy. She gained extensive experience in the NHS as a Occupational Therapist before becoming an academic and expert in practice learning for occupational therapists and allied health practitioners.
Lauren Edwards is a Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist supporting clients, families and carers in rehabilitation from neurological injury. She holds a PGDip in Occupational Therapy and a MSc in Health through Occupation. Lauren has additional post graduate training in rehabilitation of the upper limb, motivational interviewing, sensory strategies, and postural care.
The Arthritis + Farmers research team is supported by an Advisory Group of people with specific experience and knowledge of arthritis, farming, physiotherapy or social research.
Advisory Group
- Daisy Bentley-Nash, young farmer.
- Elaine Hillier, Arthritis UK lead Herefordshire.
- Elaine Willmore, Head of Therapy Research & Development, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- Emma Hamer, NFU county advisor Worcestershire.
- Geoff Sansome, Farmer in Worcestershire and former Head of Agriculture at Natural England.
- Joseph Hughes, Senior MSK physiotherapist working in NHS and private practice within Worcestershire (Malvern).
- Dr. Linda Price, Rural Communities Officer, Malvern Hills District Council.
- Professor Mark Riley, Prof of Geography, University of Liverpool (Advisory Group chair).
- Dr. Steve Coles, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, University of Worcester (living with arthritis).