I recently embarked on an exciting chapter of my research career as a NIHR Doctoral Fellow at the Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (HPRU BSE) at the University of Bristol. Reflecting on my journey here, I’m struck by how each step, from my early interest in health equity to my recent work on sexual health, has shaped the path I’m on today. This blog is an opportunity to share that journey.
The beginning: finding my focus in public health
My passion for public health began during my undergraduate studies in Health Education, where I explored the impact of childbirth on the educational aspirations of teenage mothers. My next step was pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Bristol, where I deepened my understanding of epidemiology and infectious disease control. For my dissertation, I conducted a content analysis of NICE guidelines on long-term conditions, which honed my skills in evidence synthesis and systematic review.
During my master’s, I joined the Common Ambition Bristol (CAB) project as a community researcher, a role that proved to be a turning point in my journey. Working on the ground, I saw first hand the HIV inequities faced by African and Caribbean heritage (ACH) communities. It was an eye-opening experience. These weren’t just numbers or statistics I had studied in class; they were real people, with real lives and real struggles.
This first-hand exposure fuelled my desire to understand why these disparities existed and, more importantly, what we could do to bridge the gap. The deeper I delved into sexual health, the more I realised how stark the divide was between those who had access to services and those who didn’t—particularly within the ACH communities as they faced disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV. That reality sharpened my focus as I moved forward after completing my master’s degree to doing the NIHR predoctoral fellowship.
Joining the HPRU BSE: a new chapter in sexual health research
Now, as part of my NIHR Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Bristol HPRU BSE, I’m focusing on a project that’s close to my heart: improving STI testing rates among African and Caribbean communities in the UK. This work builds on a scoping review I conducted during my NIHR Predoctoral Fellowship, which identified the barriers and facilitators to STI testing in these communities. By examining factors such as stigma, service accessibility, and cultural barriers, I hope to develop interventions that address the unique needs of these populations.
At the HPRU BSE, I’m particularly excited about contributing to projects that will inform public health interventions and policy changes. The unit’s collaborative environment allows for innovative person-based approaches, intervention development, intervention optimisation, and integrating coproduction strategies. My hope is that through this work, we can develop new, scalable interventions that can be implemented in healthcare systems not just in the UK, but in high-income countries globally.
Looking forward: a vision for change
I’m incredibly proud of the journey that has led me to the HPRU BSE at the University of Bristol, and I look forward to what the future holds. This work is not just about academic success or career growth—it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. I hope my story inspires others who looked like me to pursue their passions, engage with communities, and contribute to the global effort to reduce health disparities and promote health equity for all.
