Dr Amanda Vettini is a sociologist and seasoned social and public health researcher with over 17 years of experience across academia, government, and consultancy. Her work bridges disciplines and sectors, with a strong focus on health equity, innovative research methods, and the lived experiences of marginalised groups.

Amanda is currently a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, contributing to the qualitative branch of the ASSIST Global feasibility trial — a peer-led, school-based smoking prevention programme for young people in Indonesia and the Philippines. She plays a key role in the qualitative process evaluation, helping shape the study’s logic model and programme theory, and supporting international partners in managing a large and complex dataset.

Her previous research at the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, explored acute cardiac care for people with severe mental illness, including GPs' barriers to prescribing cardioprotective medication and patient hospital experiences following heart attacks. Amanda has led qualitative fieldwork with patients, GPs, paramedics, and hospital staff, and published on the intersection between mental and physical health.

Amanda’s academic journey includes a PhD in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh, where she examined the role of research methods training in UK social science doctorates. She is passionate about creative qualitative methods, such as walking interviews and video diaries, and has published on their ethical and practical applications.

 She is an active member of qualitative research networks and regularly presents at national conferences. Amanda’s work is united by a commitment to amplifying marginalised voices, improving healthcare experiences, and making research more inclusive and impactful.

Patient healthcare experiences; Multimorbidity/Disease and exercise-based rehabilitation; Smoking/Tobacco Control; Chronic disease; Mental health / wellbeing; Cardiovascular disease / heart attacks/strokes; Research methods especially innovative methods e.g. video diaries, walking interviews.

Research groups

• Comparative & Translational Health
• Lifestyle / Sports & Exercise
• Healthcare Data
• Mind & Brain Health

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In addition to her research, Amanda has taught sociology and research methods at multiple universities, including Edinburgh Napier (Sociology Module Leader), Queen Margaret University, and the University of Edinburgh, where she was a senior tutor and guest lecturer.