Biography

PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), PGCert in Higher Education and Professional Practice

Dr Angela Clifford is a Research Associate in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Keele University.

Angela completed her undergraduate and postgraduate training in Psychology and Psychological Research at Bangor University, North Wales. Her dissertation studies focused on cognitive neuroscience and neurodevelopment. She moved to Loughborough University to complete a funded PhD, which investigated the protective link between physical activity and cognitive function in older age (https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/Physical_activity_and_cognition_in_the_elderly/9609842).

On completion of her doctorate, Angela worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wolverhampton for over 10 years. During this time, she worked closely with academic health and nursing colleagues on research and consultancy projects, teaching, doctoral supervision and mentorship. She was also involved in the setting up and management of a dementia special-interest group across the university and external partners. Angela chaired the research ethical advisory panel for health and allied professions and was a reviewer on the sponsorship review panel for NHS ethics submissions.

Angela joined Keele University as a Trial Manager in the Clinical Trials Unit where she oversaw project management and research governance on randomised controlled trials. She moved to her current role in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in June 2023, where she is focussing on research in primary care nursing.

Research and scholarship

During her research career, Angela has been principal investigator and co-principal investigator on a number of research studies across multiple areas of epidemiology, psychology, health and wellbeing including mental health, dementia, end of life care, long-term conditions, multimorbidity, musculoskeletal health, diabetes and maternal wellbeing. She has published widely from these studies. Angela has a wealth of experience in quantitative and qualitative methodologies including observational studies, randomised controlled trials, systematic review and cohort studies, and she is proficient in developing and delivering a range of research methods including surveys, interviews and computer-based assessments.

As well as research, Angela has led and been involved in consultancy and service evaluation projects, working with external partners including local authority, charity, NHS and industry. She has been lead and co-author on reports to organisations including Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review, City of Wolverhampton Council, Black Country LETC, Wolverhampton Community Trust and Compton Hospice, Wolverhampton. Angela has contributed widely to knowledge exchange with public sector and charitable organisations and has developed research networks with teams across disciplines, internationally with academic peers in Europe, China, Australia and Indonesia, and with clinical colleagues in the local NHS Trust.

As a methodologist, Angela’s research interests are wide ranging and include dementia, management and experience of long-term conditions, aging and wellbeing, and carer wellbeing and experiences.

Teaching

Angela has experience teaching on a range of topics related to research methodologies and analysis through levels 6-8. She has seen two doctoral students through to completion and will be supervising at Keele University.

Publications

The Clinical Education Centre
Keele University
Clinical Education Centre
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Newcastle Road
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 6QG

David Weatherall
Keele University
The David Weatherall Building
Keele
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG