Ms Carolyn Blake

Research Associate (MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit)

MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Berkeley Square, 99 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7231-4290

Biography

I work within the Relationships and Health programme, at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit.

I am a public health researcher and programme advisor. A majority of my work focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), participatory approaches, and systems thinking.

Background

I studied Social and Political Sciences (BA) at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland (2004-2008), and have a MSc in Global Health, IGHD, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2009-2010).

Before joining the University of Glasgow in September 2018, I worked in public health research, evaluation and programme design and management in Sub-Saharan Africa (8+ years), as well as Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. I worked on both multi-country programmes/evaluations, as well as short-term consultancies in 15+ countries.

Previous positions:

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel (2011-2017);
Concern Worldwide, Zambia (2011);
International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Geneva (2010).

Research interests

I use mixed-methods research to develop and evaluate interventions that reduce health inequalities and promote greater social and gender justice.

Current research interests

Adolescent and youth health
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Gender-based violence
Comprehensive sexuality education
Systems thinking
Participatory approaches
Social accountability and governance in public health

Current projects:

Equally Safe at School (2018-2021): An evaluation of a whole-school approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence in Scottish Secondary schools. The pilot intervention is implemented by Rape Crisis and Zero Tolerance.
Katawag (2021-2022). Katawag is a formative research that aims to develop a systems-informed workplace intervention to promote mental health and reduce HIV risk among call centre workers in the Philippines. The project is a joint venture between research teams at De La Salle University in the Philippines, and University of Glasgow.
Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) approaches in population health research (2021-2022). This objective of this project is to develop a taxonomy of PSM approaches, best-practice methods guidance and toolkit in the area of population health. Other project partners include: MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge; ESRC Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus (CECAN), University of Surrey; UKPRP SIPHER Consortium; UKRI Mandala Consortium.

Recent completed projects:

CONUNDRUM (2019-2021): CONdoms and CONtraception UNDerstandings: Researching Uptake and Motivation. Commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, and Lothian, in partnership with the Scottish Government, this study examined the multi-level and complex factors shaping young people’s use and non-use of condoms and contraception. A diverse range of young people and key stakeholders (e.g. service providers and decision-makers) took part in the research process, to generate in-depth understanding of the issue, and to co-produce recommendations for future sexual health policy and service provision. Research ouputs can be found here

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Number of items: 27.

2023

Lewis, R. , Boydell, N. , Blake, C. , Clarke, Z., Kernaghan, K. and McMellon, C. (2023) Involving young people in sexual health research and service improvement: conceptual analysis of patient and public involvement (PPI) in three projects. BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, (doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201611) (PMID:36307186) (Early Online Publication)

2022

Sweeting, H. , Blake, C. , Riddell, J. , Barrett, S. and Mitchell, K. R. (2022) Sexual harassment in secondary school: prevalence and ambiguities. A mixed methods study in Scottish schools. PLoS ONE, 17(2), e0262248. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262248) (PMID:35196313) (PMCID:PMC8865636)

Long, E. et al. (2022) COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on social relationships and health. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 76(2), pp. 128-132. (doi: 10.1136/jech-2021-216690) (PMID:34413184) (PMCID:PMC8380476)

2021

Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , Shimonovich, M. , Coia, N., Duffy, J., Kerr, Y., Wilson, J., Graham, C. A. and Mitchell, K. R. (2021) Disrupted prevention: Condom and contraception access and use among young adults during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey. BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, 47(4), pp. 269-276. (doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2020-200975) (PMID:33707178) (PMCID:PMC7956735)

Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , McMellon, C., Riddell, J. , Graham, C. and Mitchell, K. (2021) Understanding young people’s use and non-use of condoms and contraception: a co-developed, mixed-methods study with 16-24 year olds in Scotland. Final report from CONUNDRUM (CONdom and CONtraception UNDerstandings: Researching Uptake and Motivations). Project Report. MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow. (doi: 10.36399/gla.pubs.238377).

Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , Shimonovich, M. , Coia, N., Duffy, J., Kerr, Y., Wilson, J., Graham, C. and Mitchell, K. (2021) Disrupted prevention: condom and contraception access and use among young people during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other. MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow.

2019

Blake, C. , Bohle, L. F., Rotaru, C., Zarbailov, N., Sava, V., Sécula, F., Prytherch, H. and Curteanu, A. (2019) Quality of care for non-communicable diseases in the Republic of Moldova: a survey across primary health care facilities and pharmacies. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 353. (doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4180-4) (PMID:31164125) (PMCID:PMC6547568)

Nove, A., Martin Hilber, A. and Blake, C. (2019) Professional accountability for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health: what mechanisms and processes are used, what works? A systematic literature review. Project Report. World Health Organisation (WHO).

2017

Blake, C. , Bohle, L., Rotaru, C., Secula, F., Zarbailov, N. and Curteanu, A. (2017) Quality of care for non-communicable diseases: a baseline study at health facility level in Moldova. Technical Report. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. (Unpublished)

Kessler, C., Blake, C. , Gerold, J. and Zahorka, M. (2017) Expert report on sexuality education in Switzerland relating to international guidelines and selected analogue countries. Technical Report. Public Health Services, Federal Office of Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Bern, Switzerland.

2016

Carou-Jones, V. et al. (2016) Evaluation of UNFPA Support to Adolescents and Youth 2008-2015. Technical Report. UNFPA Evaluation Office.

Blake, C. , Annorbah-Sarpei, N. A., Bailey, C., Ismaila, Y., Deganus, S., Bosomprah, S., Galli, F. and Clark, S. (2016) Scorecards and social accountability for improved maternal and newborn health services: a pilot in the Ashanti and Volta regions of Ghana. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 135(3), pp. 372-379. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.10.004) (PMID:27784594)

Martin Hilber, A., Blake, C. , Bohle, L. F., Bandali, S., Agbon, E. and Hulton, L. (2016) Strengthening accountability for improved maternal and newborn health: a mapping of studies in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 135(3), pp. 345-357. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.09.008) (PMID:27802869)

Winters, D., Blake, C. , N'Goran, M. and Krah, M. (2016) Evaluation of UNFPA Support to Adolescents and Youth (2008-2015): Côte d’Ivoire. Technical Report. UNFPA Evaluation Office, New York.

Bailey, C., Blake, C. , Schriver, M., Cubaka, V. K., Thomas, T. and Martin Hilber, A. (2016) A systematic review of supportive supervision as a strategy to improve primary healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 132(1), pp. 117-125. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.10.004) (PMID:26653397)

2015

Bifuko, O. et al. (2015) Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey: Survey Report 2014, Democratic Republic of Congo. Technical Report. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.

Blake, C. , Cartana, L., Elouard, Y., Martin Hilber, A., Ngabire, E., Schwarz, J., Weiss, C., Ngabo, F., Nzamponimpa, A. and Merten, S. (2015) Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health: Survey Report 2014, Rwanda. Technical Report. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. (doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.13312.94724).

Gerold, J., Hoop, S., Blake, C. , Merten, S. and Martin Hilber, A. (2015) 'I try to avoid the boys!' Adolescents' Sexuality Representation in Rwanda, a Mixed Method Analysis. 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Basel, Switzerland, 06-10 Sep 2015. (doi: 10.1111/tmi.12575)

Schwarz, J., Blake, C. , Ndabihore, N., Weiss, C., Martin Hilber, A. and Merten, S. (2015) Pregnancy in Adolescence in the Great Lakes Region: Findings from a Multi-country Survey in South Kivu (DRC), Burundi and Rwanda. 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Basel, Switzerland, 06-10 Sep 2015. (doi: 10.1111/tmi.12573)

Blake, C. , Elouard, Y., Gerold, J., Martin Hilber, A., Merten, S., Ndabihore, N., Schwarz, J. and Weiss, C. (2015) Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey, Survey Report 2014, Burundi. Technical Report. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.

2013

Blake, C. , Cartana, L., Castro, G. and Zahorka, M. (2013) E-Learning and Continuous Education within the Health Facility Setting: Perspectives from European Esther Alliance Partners. Technical Report. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.

2012

Samuels, F., Blake, C. and Akinrimisi, B. (2012) HIV vulnerabilities and the potential for strengthening social protection responses in the context of HIV in Nigeria. Project Report. ODI, London, UK.

2011

Schinina, G., Blake, C. and Zuodar, S. (2011) Citoyennetés, culture et santé mentale en Europe. Un aperçu des pratiques en France, en Allemagne, en Grande Bretagne, en Italie et en Suisse. TranSfaire et Cultures, 4,

Blake, C. (2011) Male participation in HIV and AIDS support groups: perspectives from the Western Province of Zambia. Project Evaluation. Technical Report. Concern Worldwide, Lusaka, Zambia. (Unpublished)

Samuels, F. and Blake, C. (2011) HIV-sensitive social protection: the case of Nigeria. Project Report. ODI, London, UK.

Davies, A. A., Borland, R. M., Blake, C. and West, H. E. (2011) The dynamics of health and return migration. PLoS Medicine, 8(6), e1001046. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001046) (PMID:21738448) (PMCID:PMC3124523)

Davies, A. A., Blake, C. and Dhavan, P. (2011) Social determinants and risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Asian migrant populations in Europe. Asia Europe Journal, 8(4), pp. 461-473. (doi: 10.1007/s10308-011-0291-1)

This list was generated on Thu Mar 30 20:11:01 2023 BST.

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