Professor Vanessa Lawrence
QUAHRC Head and Professor in Qualitative Health Research
I am an applied qualitative health researcher with a strong commitment to centring lived experience and amplify marginalised perspectives. My work focuses on mental health and long-term conditions, with an emphasis on developing, refining and evaluating interventions that reflect the priorities and everyday realities of the people they are designed to support.
I work collaboratively with clinicians, service providers, policy partners, industry and the voluntary sector to embed high-quality qualitative research across all stages of research studies. I have led qualitative components within large, multidisciplinary programmes that have generated novel and impactful interventions. These include the co-production of an online peer support platform for people with chronic health conditions at risk of depression (CommonGround) and psychological therapies for people living with dementia (PATHFINDER), Motor Neuron Disease (COMMEND) and anxiety in later life (FACTOID). I also undertake theory informed qualitative work that provides real time insights to inform study design, for example by enhancing clinical trial recruitment (BOPP) and examining barriers to trial delivery in eating disorder services (DAISIES).
Partnership with experts by experience is central to my approach. I train, support and work alongside lived experience co-researchers. For example, within the national evaluation of Recovery Colleges (RECOLLECT), we developed a collaborative data analysis approach to meaningfully involve lived experience co-researchers in a mental health context. I also have a strong interest in innovative and inclusive qualitative methods, including digital qualitative diaries, which we are currently using to explore treatment experiences among people with eating disorders (EDEN).
As Head of QUAHRC at King’s College London, I am committed to building a collaborative and supportive community of qualitative researchers. As Qualitative Lead for the NIHR King’s College London Mental Health & Neuroscience Research Support Service, I support national research capacity and promote high-quality qualitative methods across research designs. I also co-lead the Qualitative Research MSc module at King’s College London and the QUAHRC Summer School. I am keen to develop new partnerships that use qualitative research to inform practice, policy and innovation, and to deliver real-world benefit for people and services.
