Trustees

Fiona Stevenson is chair of the board of Trustees

She is a professor of medical sociology in the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at University College London. She is a medical sociologist and expert in a range of qualitative research methods, including conversation analysis. She has a particular interest in the safe storage and reuse of qualitative data e-health. Her research spans a range of clinical areas and is encompassed by the themes of construction of decision making about medical care, the impact of complex interventions, technology and treatment adherence on communication between health care professionals and patients, and patient and public involvement in medical research.

Tiago Moreira is secretary to the board of trustees.

Originally from Lisboa (Portugal), Tiago came to Britain to study for a postgraduate degree, planning to stay for 9 months only. He ended up doing a PhD and before coming to Durham University in 2006, he was a social researcher at the Centre for Health Services Research at Newcastle University (2002-2006).

Catherine Pope is treasurer for the Foundation.

Catherine is a Professor of Medical Sociology and Associate Head of Department for People, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. Catherine is an expert in qualitative and mixed methods for applied health research, and a key contributor to developing methods for evidence synthesis. She has published empirical, theoretical, and methodological work, including over 200 peer reviewed journal and conference papers for clinical, sociological, policy and practitioner audiences. Her research interests encompass organisational change in health care, service delivery and reconfiguration, workforce and work in health services, and the impact of digital and Web technologies on health care and services.

Simon Carter is the lead assessor for the Mildred Blaxter Post-doctoral fellowships.

Simon Carter is a medical sociologist who worked in the Sociology Department at the Open University and is now retired, but remains interested in medical sociology, particularly at the intersection of medical sociology and science and technology studies. He began his career as an industrial chemist, but after 10 years working in industry and environmental protection, he returned to university to complete a UG degree in sociology, followed by a PhD. After his PhD, he worked for the Medical Research Council for six years, then spent five years at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Alison Pilnick is Professor of Language, Health and Society at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she moved in 2023 from the University of Nottingham, having been Professor of Language, Medicine and Society there since 2010. She is a sociologist of health and illness with a particular interest in interactions between health and social care professionals and their patients or clients. Funded by bodies including the British Academy, ESRC and NIHR, she has worked with a wide range of health professionals in a wide range of care settings both in the UK and overseas, using audio and video recordings to examine interactions and to inform and develop communication skills training. This is linked to a broader interest in the use of qualitative methods to inform and improve healthcare policy and practice.

Sasha Scambler is a professor of medical sociology and Dean for People and Culture in the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London, UK. Sasha is a qualitative researcher and one of a small number of sociologists working in the field of oral health in the UK. Her research focuses on the experiences of people living with long-term conditions and disability, inequality and the application of social theory to empirical research. She has published widely in these areas.

Kate is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Sheffield. She held a series of contract research posts and personal fellowships before securing her post at Sheffield. Kate’s research sits at the intersection of sociology of health and illness and STS. She has become particularly interested in everyday health practices and technologies and how these intersect with the clinic.