Ms Carolyn Blake
- Research Associate (MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit)
email:
Carolyn.Blake@glasgow.ac.uk
MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Berkeley Square, 99 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR
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
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- CONUNDRUM Phase 2
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2022 - 2022
- Developing the meaningful involvement of young people in sexual health policymaking and service improvement in Scotland
Scottish Government
2022 - 2022
- Young People's uptake and use of condoms and contraception
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
2019 - 2020
Teaching
I contribute teaching and supervision to the following course:
MSc Global Health, University of Glasgow