SSM ECRs featuring…

SSM ECRs featuring… Vasiliki Kolovou!

Vasiliki Kolovou is a PhD student at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Vasiliki Kolovou Cardiff Metropolitan University PhD Student SSM member since: 2019 Topics of interest: Cross-sector partnerships, research and evaluation, complex interventions

What inspired you to pursue a career in public health?
I have always loved learning about health and the science of how human bodies function and adapt to their environments. During the long and hot summers of my childhood in Greece, I used to love spending time in my aunt’s home to use their computer to research information about STEM and biology. By chance, I found some online free courses by Coursera, which introduced me to epigenetics and the relationship between our genetics and our environment. I found the nature/nurture interaction fascinating, and I still do. Later I moved to England to study medical genetics, and then worked as a researcher in a clinical trial before starting my PhD in public health. My PhD looked at the experiences of cross-sector partners (professionals or organisations) in promoting physical activity in line with the pioneering Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (WBFGA) 2015 in Wales. In the last few years of conducting this research, I have learnt a lot about how to best improve the environment and social/economic/political factors to improve the health of our populations. I continue to find the complexity of health fascinating and there are always new things to learn!

What excites you about working in research now?
The current academic debate about how best to employ both quantitative and qualitative methods in research and evaluation. Also, working in research right now is exciting because of the increasing number of new researchers in niche research topics that make academic discussions all the more interesting. I think social medicine has attracted researchers from diverse research areas which makes a recipe for brilliant future advancements.

What area of social medicine/public health are you interested in?
I am interested in the research and evaluation of complex interventions, as well as whole-system approaches for long-term health and wellbeing. I’m also interested in learning more about the best methods to evaluate programmes and interventions.

Can you tell us a bit about a project you’re working on now?
I am currently preparing to submit my PhD thesis. My most exciting finding/contribution is about the value and role of boundary spanners in public health. Boundary spanners are individuals or organisations that may act as knowledge brokers and connectors between sectors, organisations or levels to create change and drive innovation. The value of spanning boundaries is recognised for its benefit in influencing policy and improving public services. However, my thesis will discuss the added value of boundary spanners for establishing cross-sector partnerships to promote physical activity. I will be sharing updates on my thesis, and discuss these topics and latest advancements in this in my website (kolovouvasiliki.com).

What do you hope this will lead to?
I’m hoping that my thesis will help in acknowledging the important role of those working in the grey areas between sectors to support national or subnational public health strategies.

Bonus question from Dr Olúwáṣeun Ẹ̀san: If you were to be a research leader what leadership style would you adopt? (You can name famous leaders to help illustrate your answer)
Coaching style I think is my most natural style of leadership. I have trained as a goal coach and use some of the motivational and goal-setting methods from that training. I think in any team, the progress and outcomes are the best when the members are making the most of their strengths while managing their weaknesses by leaning on other members or the leader

To keep up to date with Vasiliki’s work, you can follow the website kolovouvasiliki.com, or get in touch via email.

SSM ECR features is a blog series that celebrates early career researchers. Each month we meet a member we admire, learn more about their work and find out what and who inspires them. To find out more visit socsocmed.org.uk/blog or email ecr.ssm@gmail.com.