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

Import to contacts

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, 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 in Sub-Saharan Africa (8+ years), as well as Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. I worked on both multi-country programmes/evaluations, as well as smaller scale evaluations 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

Sexual and reproductive health
Sexual harassment
Gender-based violence
Participatory systems mapping
Systems thinking
Social accountability and governance in public health

Current projects:

Equally Safe at School (2023-2026). Research coordinator and Co-I. Whole-school approach to addressing Gender-Based violence (GBV) in secondary school (Equally Safe at School): A pragmatic cluster-randomised trial and mixed-methods evaluation. This three year project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) approaches in population health research (2021-2024). Coordinator. 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 Action (2022-2023). Co-Principal Investigator. A participatory project aiming to increase young people’s meaningful involvement in sexual health policymaking and service improvement in Scotland. The project was funded by the University of Glasgow, three NHS health boards and Scottish Government.
Katawag (2021-2022). Coordinator. 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.
Equally Safe at School (2018-2021): Pilot study 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.
CONUNDRUM (2019-2021). Co-Principal Investigator. 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.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Number of items: 44.

2025

Hamilton, C. et al. (2025) Evaluating a whole-school approach to addressing gender-based violence in Scottish secondary schools (Equally Safe at School): a study protocol for a type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. BMJ Open, 15(2), e096596. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096596) (PMID:39956602)

2024

Blake, C. , Lewis, R. , Riddell, J. , Willis, M. , Wylie, L., Dawson, K., Moore, L. and Mitchell, K. R. (2024) Prevention of, and response to, sexual harassment at secondary school: a system map. Social Science and Medicine, 358, 117092. (doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117092) (PMID:39216136)

Blake, C. , Lewis, R. , Riddell, J. , Willis, M. , Wylie, L., Dawson, K., Moore, L. and Mitchell, K. R. (2024) Briefing: Prevention of, and response to, sexual harassment at secondary school: a system map. [Research Reports or Papers]

Demou, E. , Blake, C. , Llorin, C. T., Salanga, M. G., Mateo, N. J., Lewis, R. and Mitchell, K. R. (2024) Group-level workplace interventions to improve mental health in low control, high demand office-based jobs. A scoping review. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 68(4), pp. 335-350. (doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxae012) (PMID:38489824) (PMCID:PMC11033569)

Blake, C. , Turner, B. , Mitchell, K. and Lewis, R. (2024) What factors influence young people’s involvement in policymaking and service improvement? A systems perspective. NHS Research Scotland (NRS) and Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Patient and Public Involvement Event 2024, Dundee, Scotland, 12 Mar 2024.

Lewis, R. , Turner, B. , Mitchell, K. and Blake, C. (2024) Understanding the impacts of public involvement in policy-engaged health research: Insights from participatory evaluation of a multi-sector sexual health research collaboration (CONUNDRUM). NHS Research Scotland (NRS) and Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Patient and Public Involvement Event 2024, Dundee, Scotland, 12 Mar 2024.

Blake, C. et al. (2024) Participatory systems mapping for population health research, policy and practice: guidance on method choice and design. [Research Reports or Papers]

Blake, C. , Turner, B. , Lewis, R. and CONUNDRUM Action Group, (2024) Young people’s involvement in policy and service improvement. [Artefact]

Blake, C. , Turner, B. and Lewis, R. (2024) What drives the involvement of young people in policy making and service improvement? Insights from a map of Scotland’s sexual health system. [Research Reports or Papers]

2023

Blake, C. , Lewis, R. , Turner, B. and Mitchell, K. (2023) Using participatory systems mapping to understand young people’s involvement in sexual health policy and service improvement. 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health, Vancouver, Canada, 23-26 Aug 2023.

Guadalupe Salanga, M., Jose Mateo, N., Blake, C. , Tan, C., Demou, E. , Lewis, R. and Mitchell, K. (2023) Mental health and wellbeing in Filipino call centres: Using participatory systems mapping to understand workplace environments. 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine: From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health, Vancouver, Canada, 23-26 Aug 2023.

Turner, B. , Astbury, K., Bell, M., Gascoigne, R., Nakamaura, Y., Blake, C. and Lewis, R. (2023) Young people’s priorities for digital sexual health promotion: findings from a peer engagement (CONUNDRUM Action). [Research Reports or Papers]

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, 49(2), pp. 76-86. (doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201611) (PMID:36307186)

Shore, C. B. , Martin, A. , Rigby, B. , Blake, C. , Scott, H., Cleland Woods, H. , Haughton, D., Evans, R. E., O'Brien, A. and Simpson, S. (2023) A Peer Influence Approach to Reduce Night-time Use of Interactive Electronic Devices and Social Media Among Adolescents (CLOCK OFF): Intervention Development Using Causal Loop Diagrams. 18th UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting, Birmingham, UK, 28-29 March 2023.

Blake, C. , Guadalupe Salanga, M., Jose Mateo, N., Tan, C., Demou, E. , Lewis, R. and Mitchell, K. (2023) Mental health and wellbeing in Filipino call centres: Using participatory systems mapping to understand workplace environments. UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2023, Birmingham, UK, 28-29 Mar 2023.

Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , Turner, B. and Mitchell, K. (2023) Using participatory systems mapping to understand young people’s involvement in sexual health policy and service improvement. UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2023, Birmingham, UK, 28-29 Mar 2023.

2022

Turner, B. , Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , Gascoigne, R. and CONUNDRUM Action Group, . (2022) Co-producing research with young people online: Insights from a participatory sexual health project. [Website]

Turner, B. , Lewis, R. , Blake, C. , Astbury, K., Gascoigne, R. and CONUNDRUM Action Group, . (2022) Involving young people in sexual health policy and service improvement. [Website]

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). [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers] (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. [Research Reports or Papers]

2016

Carou-Jones, V. et al. (2016) Evaluation of UNFPA Support to Adolescents and Youth 2008-2015. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers]

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. [Research Reports or Papers] (Unpublished)

Samuels, F. and Blake, C. (2011) HIV-sensitive social protection: the case of Nigeria. [Research Reports or Papers]

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 Sun Apr 27 00:40:31 2025 BST.

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