Tom Kingstone

Biography

Tom graduated from Keele University in 2006 with a dual honours BSc degree in Criminology and Psychology, he then completed an MRes in Social Science Research Methods at Keele. Following several years working in research roles within the public (Office for National Statistics), private, and charity sector, Tom returned to Keele in 2012 to complete an Acorn PhD Studentship. His thesis explored experiences of chronic pain among rural dwelling older adults.

Tom is now a post-doctoral Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Wellbeing within the School of Medicine. He is a senior member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty Research Theme and works to deliver a joint research strategy between Keele University and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

Research and scholarship

Tom is a social scientist by background and brings a mix of perspectives from psychology, sociology and critical gerontology. His research expertise lies in exploratory qualitative methods and the application of novel techniques (e.g. mobile interviews, ‘go-alongs’, photo-elicitation). He is a strong advocate for patient and public involvement and engagement in research.

His primary research interests cover common mental health problems (distress, anxiety, depression) experienced across the life-course and within under-served groups (e.g. perinatal mental health, anxiety and depression in older adults). He has secured research grants, including as Principal Investigator, from a variety of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) programmes and the Health Foundation.

Tom has also conducted qualitative research as part of larger studies on Severe Mental Illness to better understand treatments and shared decision making.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom has worked with Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham and others to raise awareness about Long Covid (persistent symptoms following a COVID-19 infection) through research.

Teaching

Teaching

• Exploratory research as part of the Research methods in health module HLT-40001.
• Qualitative interviewing as part of Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Rheumatology Nursing module, Haywood Hospital.
• Qualitative research methods for medical students as part of their Student Selected Components (SSCs) to complement the Keele MBChB course.

Training

Director of the STARS programme, an award-winning research training programme delivered at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

Co-lead for the ‘Starting Out in Research in Health and Social Care’ short course on FutureLearn. This is a free interactive, 8-week online training course for research novices.

Supervision

Tom has supervised postgraduate students to completion at both MPhil and PhD levels. He is currently supervising PhD and Professional Doctorate students. He has supervised several Keele Medical students on INSPIRE/ASPIRE studentships.

Further information

Tom holds several additional roles:

• Deputy Chair for the Faculty Research Ethics Committee 
• Director of the STARS programme, an award-winning research training programme delivered at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
• Member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit programme
• Editorial Board member for Health Expectations journal