Donna Franklin

Primarily a qualitative researcher with a background in both clinical and health psychology, my research interests concern health equity and inclusion.  As part of my doctorate and Masters studies my early research has involved exploration of anxiety related eating distress expressed amongst British Muslim Pakistani adolescent females.  After a needed career break, I joined the Narrative Experiences ONline (NEON) research programme as associate researcher and lived experience member at the Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham contributing to a range of peer-reviewed publications and activities.  As a peer researcher and lived experience panel co-lead with the McPin Foundation, I was involved in an experience-based co-design project "AddRessing the ImpAct of COVID-19 paNdEmic  (ARIADNE) developing service design actions to encourage better access, experience and outcomes for racialised and Global Majority communities. 

Joining SCHARR as a research associate in March 2023, I have led a NIHR funded implementation evaluation as part of the Mental Health Implementation Network (MHIN) programme of the NHS’s first anti-racism framework, the Patient Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF). Moving into the School of Public Health, I have been involved in a Defra national evaluation for the Prevention and Tackling Mental ill health through the Green Social Prescribing programme, examining value for money and sustainable funding in collaboration with Universities of Exeter, Plymouth and Sheffield Hallam.

 Current roles 

1. Building my methodological expertise towards more complex evaluations, I am involved in a three-site case study evaluation of community-led adaptations for health and wellbeing in response to extreme weather events (flood, heat and cold). Using participatory systems mapping inclusive of creative approaches for adults with learning disabilities, children and families, I build on earlier evaluative systems change work (Black Thrive Employment Project)  with the aim to cultivate individual and organisational capacities for better health and wellbeing flourishing.  
2. Maintaining my clinical interest in adolescent and young people’s mental wellbeing, I work on ORIGIN, a large randomised controlled trial, of an innovative online cultural arts stories-based digital intervention for underrepresented 16-24 yr olds to reduce anxiety and depression. 
3. As university citizen, I am a research network committee member for the NIHR School of Public Health (ResNet), facilitating the development and collaboration of other public health early career researchers.  In addition, I am part of the Health Equity and Inclusion group collaboration within SCHARR, which supports the important strands for collaboration and connection throughout all my work facilitate future collaborations.