Research Community

Dr Jacqueline (Jack) Rappoport is a non-clinical lecturer at the Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, at Queen Mary University of London, teaching MSc programmes in Trauma Sciences, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, and Paediatric Trauma Sciences. With over 20 years of experience in forensic mental health and child protection, Jack specialises in trauma recovery, particularly C-PTSD and PTSD. Her clinical background is in Counselling Psychology, where she practices pluralistic counselling using Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy approaches. Jack holds a PhD in Qualitative Research, focusing on trauma, military service, and offending among incarcerated UK veterans. She possesses multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a PGCap in Academic Practice, and a PGDip and PGCert in Counselling Psychology, an MSc in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), and a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) with additional qualifications in Group Facilitation and Training. Jack has also taught Research Methods, Stress Management, Forensic Psychology, Sociology, and Social Change.

Dr Jamie Barker is a researcher from Loughborough University, working in partnership with Dr Craig White on the Veterans' Resilience Programme. This programme aims to optimise Veterans' resilience and mental health and well-being and strengthen peer support networks for those Veterans that suffer from mental health and well-being issues. Their work uses a holistic approach to enhancing resilience, mental health, and well-being in Veterans by promoting a more active and healthier lifestyle and enhanced feelings of a positive social identity for those who participate. Dr Barker and Dr White are also currently producing an academic paper and policy documentation for the Office of Veterans’ Affairs. This will emphasise the potential positive impact of non-clinical interventions on Veterans suffering from mental health and well-being issues. Additionally, they are applying for additional funds to expand the Veterans' Resilience Programme nationwide.

Fernando is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer at Swansea University. While in the United States, he was a President's Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota, and obtained a PhD degree in Informatics from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University. His research investigates the use of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research methods with vulnerable populations to design technologies with them rather than for them in both in-person and online/remote settings. His research uses surveys, interviews, observation, as well as co-design methods under the lenses of value-sensitive and speculative design to involve stakeholders in the design and development of a more ethical, inclusive, and equitable technology from the very beginning and throughout all the stages of the design process. Ultimately, he strives for amplifying the voice of those who are impacted by technology and allowing researchers and practitioners to be aware of potential negative impacts that such technologies may have on end users and stakeholders.

Dr Goodwin is an epidemiologist with expertise in the co-occurrence of Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Common Mental Disorders (CMD) and military health research. She has been awarded grants from the Medical Research Council (MRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Alcohol Change UK, with two previous projects funded by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT). 

Laura is a Lecturer at King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London. She joined KCL in 2015 to study her PhD in alcohol misuse among UK Armed Forces personnel. Since then, Laura has worked as a postdoctoral researcher leading on a number of projects, including an exploration into the trajectories and phenomenology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the UK Armed Forces. Laura is a mixed methods researcher and conducts both epidemiological and qualitative analyses. Her research interests lie in cultural psychiatry, cultural manifestations of traumatic stress and anthropological perspectives of mental health problems.

Dr Laura Rafferty is a researcher at King’s Centre for Military Health Research at King’s College London.  She is currently working across a number of projects centred on exploring the experience of females within the Armed Forces, during transition out of the military and into civilian life.  Dr Rafferty is interested in understanding, and supporting, the mental health of the Armed Forces community and her previous research has spanned topics ranging from: exploring the impact of Post-Traumatic Disorder and Major Stress Disorder on the development of dementia in military Veterans; to developing an app to support military Veterans with their mental health (Met4Vet).