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Mental Health, Neurodivergence and Vulnerable Groups

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Our research group at London South Bank University aims to advance research in mental health, neurodiversity, and vulnerable populations. It brings together academics from across the university, service users/carers, other universities, local authorities, the NHS and clinical practice partners from the charitable sector, and from social care.

We aim to gain a deeper understanding of mental health experiences in vulnerable groups and among neurodiverse individuals. Through our research outputs, we strive to provide valuable insights and guide and influence the advancement of research and policy by fostering co-production and collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally.

We aim to participate in impactful research with real-world value for individuals and organisations and to conduct collaborative research through these partnerships, building research capacity throughout the wider health and social care workforces.

Research group meeting dates

  • Formal launch Friday 25th July 2025 (First meeting to establish the group TOR and agree on the programme).
  • Friday 31st October 2025
  • Friday 6th January 2026
  • Friday 17th April 2026

Research group activities

  • Research presentations – where researchers present their research projects and ideas in development or present project findings.
  • Support members and wider University teams in applying for research grants.
  • Organising conferences/create opportunities for external speakers/collaborations.
  • Away-day workshops for peer review and mentoring activities where more experienced group members can support early career researchers, students/prospective PhD ideas and aspirations and research project opportunities.
  • Debate seminar events - where researchers across the different University Colleges and external partners can come and engage in a debate and  share research ideas.

Our multidisciplinary researchers within our centre are drawn from backgrounds in education, psychology, engineering, economics and nursing. Much of the work specializes in research that evaluates interventions for mental health conditions, including eating disorders, trauma, addiction, and cognitive behavioral therapy. As people with mental health conditions often experience physical conditions alongside, much of our research also explores ways to assist and support behavior change in chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes, with an emphasis on improving adherence to treatment regimes and lifestyle adjustments. Some of our groups’ members have recently developed expertise in evaluating Health Tech, assessing the impact of AI-driven healthcare technologies within the NHS and in collaboration with commercial partners.

Dr. Kerry Wood is a Chartered Health Psychologist and Senior Research Fellow. She specializes in improving outcomes for individuals with chronic mental and physical health conditions, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Dr. Wood is involved in several key projects, including studies on the health and experiences of informal carers in hospital-at-home services (NIHR), the concurrent treatment of trauma and eating disorders in NHS services.

Dr. Ben Thomas is a Professor of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. His research interests include addressing health inequalities for marginalized groups, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Dr. Thomas is involved in several key projects, including studies on the inclusion of older adults with learning disabilities and/or who are LGBTQ+ and interventions to improve their quality of life, access to podiatry services for patients living with severe mental health illness (SMI) the impact on their participation in activities and use of health and social care services, the current preparedness of the home care workforce in England and Wales is to support older (aged 60+) LGBTQ+ people and what is needed to improve their preparedness.

Professor Neil Brimblecombe is currently part-time professor of mental health and is a registered mental health nurse by professional background. He is Principal Investigator for an NIHR funded study into the well-being and experiences of informal carers in hospital at home services and is currently a researcher on a study examining the clinical use of a health and wellbeing measurement tool within community healthcare services. His other research interests include the mental health workforce and the history of mental health services.

Professor Chris Flood's research specializes in conducting economic evaluations alongside clinical trials, employing methodologies such as cost-utility analysis, cost-benefit analysis (including Willingness to Pay), and cost-of-illness studies. His work spans various health domains, including cardiology, arthritis, stroke, and mental health. Often working with vulnerable populations his research has included studies that explored patient safety, medication side effects, attitudes toward suicide, mental health and economic outcomes. He has researched the cost effectiveness of using peer support interventions, for individuals with depression and aphasia post-stroke and transformative justice approaches for women with convictions. Current funded studies include the exploration  of carers experiences of hospital at home and the experiences of mental health service users accessing podiatry services.

Professor Sandra Dudley-Mcevoy is a Professor of Communication systems in the School of Engineering.  Sandra received her PhD in Physics from the University of Essex. Sandra and her team investigate wireless systems, remote sensing, non-wearable technology, and imaging for a number of applications in both the health and energy sectors, working with collaborators on problem-solving and inventions related to real time systems.

Daniela Collins is a senior lecturer in mental health with a strong background in research, executive coaching, course development, teaching, and assessment. Daniela has worked with service users and practice partners on co-produced mental health improvement projects nationally and internationally in clinical settings and educational environments (Barnet Voice, Various NHS Trusts, The WHO, EU Commission and Erasmus +). Daniela is currently completing a doctorate in education.

Professor Eddie Chaplin is a Professor of Mental Health in Neurodevelopmental Conditions at the Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University. Eddie studied Mental Health Interventions, at Masters level, followed by a PhD in Health Services Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. Eddie's main research interests include identification and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). This population  have high rates of need and are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Eddie's  other research interest include co-produced research around self-help and peer mentoring strategies for improving mental health. Eddie is currently the Head of the Scientific Committee for the European Association of Mental Health in Intellectual Disability and the Editor for the Advances in Autism.

Professor Nicki Martin is a Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education. at LSBU. Nicki has held various academic and leadership roles in the higher education sector, including leading professional services functions and research centres. Nicki has developed the successful EdD in Social Justice and Inclusive Education, MA Education /Autism and the Critical Autism and Disability Studies (CADS) Research Group at LSBU. CADS participatory, interdisciplinary research focusses on inclusive education across the age range, through Universal Design for Learning; equity in employment; mentoring; wellbeing and fulfilment.  Currently Nicki leads the Building Future Communities Research Centre. During 23-25, Nicki has co-edited  five books, two focussing on aspects of Universal Design for Learning and a series on Autism Wellbeing and Fulfilment across the life course. Nicki has had 15 doctoral completions and currently supervises 8 students.

Current projects include:

  • The assessment of the EQ-5D funded by the EuroQol Group, investigating how healthcare professionals use the EQ-5D tool in community settings to support clinical decision-making.
  • An evaluation of debt management and financial support for vulnerable adults in inner London funded by Lambeth Council and Impact on Urban Health.
  • An exploration of the experience of mental health service users of access to podiatry services, funded by Great Foundations.
  • Research into Learning Disability in European Prisons
  • International book on the psychopharmacology of Learning Disability
  • Research exploring ways to enhance support for defendants with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) within Magistrates' Courts.

Work with us

For more information about how you can work with us, contact Professor Chris Flood at floodc@lsbu.ac.uk.