PhD Researcher
I have a nine year work background of managing Inclusive care and Lifelong Learning services to support adults with learning disabilities and have been involved in delivering training which has looked at health behaviour focusing on diabetes, epilepsy and obesity.
I have also been involved in steering groups to produce and implement policies relating to issues such as mental health, managing challenging behaviour, managing medication and bereavement.
I have a keen interest in Health Psychology and Public Health focusing on inequity in health service provisions, health service access and outside of my PhD; I am also interested in the role of cognitions within health behaviour change.
Other References
Qualifications
- BSc Health Psychology – University of Bedfordshire – First class
- MSc Health Psychology – University of Bedfordshire – Distinction
Teaching Role
I am a Visting Lecturer on the following units:
- Psychology of Everyday Life (level 1)
- Research Methods (level 2)
- Guest speaker on MSc Public Health and Health Psychology
Research Interests
- Public health focusing on policy and diversity
- Health psychology focusing on health behaviour change and interventions
- Heath care utilisation
- E-Health
- Demography
- Service evaluation
- Statistics
- Ethics
Recent Research Projects
- My current research project with forms my PhD has explored the geographical and socio-demographic characteristics of NHS Direct users, and using a urban and rural case study has explored the barriers and facilitators of telephone based health care using a socio-cognitive theoretical framework which aims to inform future health service promotional campaigns to increase access to remote health applications.
Service to the Academic/Professional Community
- Chair of the Division of Health Psychology Postgraduate sub-committee
- Student issues sub editor for Health Psychology Update
Recent Conference Presentations
- Cook, E. Who uses NHS Direct? Geographical and socio-demographic characteristics of NHS Direct users. International Public Health Conference: RSPH: London (September, 2011)
- Cook, E. Who uses NHS Direct? An investigation of the geographical, socio-demgoraphic and psycho-social characteristics of NHS Direct users. Research seminar, UoB, Park Square (November, 2010; Oral Presentation)
- Cook, E & Chater, A. Losing weight through simple pleasures. A qualitative investigation into the triggers and resources obese women identify that assist their weight loss process. Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference (Belfast, September 2010; Oral presentation)
- Chater, A & Cook, E. Eating, Control and Happiness: The psychological way to a lower BMI but halt the dieting! ISBM: 11th International Congress of Behavioural Medicine (Washington DC, August, 2010; Oral Presentation)
- Cook, E. Cook, E., Large, S & Randhawa, G. Who uses NHS Direct? Geographical and socio-demographic characteristics of NHS Direct users. University of Bedfordshire: Bridging the Gaps (Park Square, July, 2010; Poster presentation)
- Cook, E & Chater, A. Can making people happy help them to lose weight? A pilot study. British Psychological Society Annual Conference (Stratford Upon Avon, April, 2010; Oral Presentation).
- Cook, E. Can making people happy help them to lose weight? A pilot study. Research seminar, UoB, Park Square (March, 2010; Oral presentation)
- Chater, A. & Cook, E. Who protects their health? Factors that influence health preventive behaviours and body mass index. Health Psychology Annual Conference (Bath, September 2008; Poster presentation).
- Cook, E & Chater, A. Can enhancing levels of happiness and personal self-control assist people in their weight loss process? An intervention approach. psyPAG Annual Conference (Cardiff, July 2009; Oral presentation).
Recent Publications
- Cook, E., Guppy, A., Chater, A., Large, S & Randhawa, G. (with Public Health). Who uses NHS Direct? A systematic review to evaluate the geographical and socio-demographic characteristics of NHS Direct users
- Cook, E., Randhawa, G., Large, S., Guppy, A ., & Chater, A. (in press). A UK case study of who uses NHS Direct? Investigating the impact of age, gender and deprivation on the utilisation of NHS Direct. Telemedicine and e-Health.
- Cook, E & Barrett, E. (2011). An interview with …..Eric Barrett. Health Psychology Update, 20 (1), 34-35.
- Wilkins, C & Cook, E. (2011). Division of Health Psychology: A report of the 2010 postgraduate workshop. Health Psychology Update, 20 (1), 29-30.
- Cook, E., Large, S., Guppy, A & Randhawa, G. (2010). Who uses NHS Direct? Geographical and socio-demographic characteristics of NHS Direct users. PsyPAG Quarterly, 76, 25-27.
- Chater, A & Cook, E. (2010). In pursuit of control and happiness: The psychological way to a lower BMI, but hold the dieting! International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17 (Supplement 1), 240.
- Cook, E. & O’Carroll, R. (2010). An interview with…..Professor Ronan O’Carroll. Health Psychology Update, 19 (1), 40-41.
- Cook, E., Gaitán, A. & Chater, A. (2010). From unhelpful to helpful: The role of implementation intentions in a weight-loss intervention. Health Psychology Update, 19 (1), 11-17.
- Chater, A. & Cook, E. (2008). Who protects their health? Factors that influence health preventative behaviors and body mass index. Psychology and Health, 23, 80-81.
- Cook, E. & Chater, A. (2010). Are happier people, healthier people? The relationship between perceived happiness, personal control, BMI and health preventive behaviours. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 48 (2), 58-64.
Contact Details
Erica Cook
University of Bedfordshire
Putteridge Bury
Hitchin Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU2 8DL
T: +44 (0)1582 743744
E: erica.cook@beds.ac.uk
