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Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou

Head of Research and Enterprise & Research Supervisor

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care

Eleni is Professor of Community Psychology and Public Mental Health, and Head of Research & Enterprise in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care.

I am a Clinical and Community Psychologist and have held a number of appointments in Greece and the UK in mental health practice and academia.

Currently, I am Head of Research and Enterprise within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to joining CCCU, I held academic posts at the University of Kent (2000-2008) and the joint Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, Kingston University and St George's, University of London (2008-2014). In 2014, I joined CCCU as Head of School of Public Health, Midwifery and Social Work in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing (2014-2017).

I have published widely and led research on evaluation of complex interventions, co-production/service user involvement in mental health care, welfare and social care in old age, and access of migrants and ethnic minorities to health care systems. I have a strong record of international research collaborations and networks in the field of community psychology and public health.

I have extensive teaching experience both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. I had a steering role in 'widening participation' undergraduate programmes at the Medway campus of the University of Kent and acted as Programme Director on BA and Masters programmes in my previous posts. My areas of teaching expertise include: community psychology, mental health, migration and welfare, old age, quantitative and qualitative research methods for health and social care, service user and care involvement, cultural competence of health and social care professionals, domestic violence and wellbeing.

I act regularly as External Examiner for both taught courses and research degrees on the topics of migration and mental health, public health and social gerontology.

I am a Higher Education Academy Fellow and a Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society and the Greek Ministry of Health.

Research interests & Supervison

Do you want to do a research degree? Are you interested in DClinPsy and Medicine, Health and Social Care and Mental Health and Migration and Evaluation of Complex Interventions and Self-Management of Long-Term Conditions and Community and Clinical Psychology or related topics? Then I would be pleased to hear from you.

Past Projects

  • Cultural Capital and Youth Migrant Transitions into Labour Market, German Volkswagen Foundation (2005-2008)
  • Domestic Violence against Women and Men in Europe (DOVE), Public Health European Authority (2008-2011), PI in the UK Arm
  • Diabetes and Physical Exercise (BEAT), Sport England/Bexley Council/MIND Bexley (2015-2018), Evaluation Lead of Intervention Programme

Completed Projects

  • DWELL (Diabetes and Wellbeing), EU INTERREG 2SEAS (2016-2023), PI on evaluation of a 12-week patient programme for the self-management of Type 2 diabetes
  • ADAPT (Assistive Devices for empowering Disabled People through Robotic Technologies), EU INTERREG CHANNEL MANCHE (2017-2023), PI on development of training of Health Care Professionals in Assistive Technologies
  • MOTION (Mechanised Orthosis for Children with Neurological Disorders), EU INTERREG 2SEAS (2019-2023), PI on conduct of feasibility studies to evaluate an exoskeleton prototype and develop training for healthcare professionals and carers to engage with the technology
  • CASCADE (Community Areas of Sustainable Care And Dementia Excellence in Europe), EU INTERREG 2SEAS (2017-2023), PI on evaluation of dementia care provision in the UK and Belgium
  • EMPOWERCARE (EMPOWERing individuals & communities to manage their own CARE), EU INTERREG 2SEAS (2020-2023), PI on evaluation of empowerment initiatives for older people in the community
  • Evaluation of Community Activation Projects in Ebbsfleet Healthy New Town, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (2018-2019), PI on evaluation of impact on residents’ wellbeing.

Supervision

I am an experienced PhD and Masters Supervisor with numerous successful completions. I also act regularly as Internal and External PhD Examiner in esteemed institutions in the UK and abroad. As an expert in the field of migrant mental health, I attract post-doctorate researchers from abroad, to work with me on a number of migration and mental health related projects which led to published outputs and successful grant applications.

I am currently supervising students in the areas of migration and access to health and social care provision, empowerment and self-management of long-term conditions, participatory research methods in implementation research.

Recent Completed PhD Supervision

  • Provision and accessibility to primary care services for immigrants experiencing homelessness in England: a qualitative exploratory study – Carol Namata, 1st supervisor (FMHSC, CCCU)
  • Exploring and identifying social determinants of mental health among pregnant women in Nepal – Lalita Sah, 1st supervisor (FMHSC, CCCU)
  • Prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes following induction of labour – Magdalena Fiolna, chair (FMHSC, CCCU)
  • Exploring UK-based Chinese international students’ experiences of psychological well-being, distress and help seeking – Stephanie Law, 2nd supervisor (DClinPsychol, CCCU)
  • "Becoming the midwife I have in my head"": A qualitative multiple case study of midwifery students' voices during their journey to qualification - Judith Jackson, Chair (FMHSC, CCCU)
  • The social construction of asylum in the UK - Roohi Hussain, Chair (CCCU)
  • Understanding the psychological impact of detention in the ex-detainees in the UK using grounded theory – Alanna Gallagher, 2nd supervisor (DClinPsychol, CCCU)

Research Projects

  • "Becoming the midwife I have in my head": A qualitative multiple case study of midwifery students' voices during their journey to qualification.. Researcher(s): Mrs JUDITH JACKSON. Supervisor(s): Dr Ann Skingley, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • “Prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes following induction of labour”.. Researcher(s): Dr Magdalena Fiolna. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • "Umbilical cord abnormalities in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes (uLOOp Study)". Researcher(s): Mrs Tara Giacchino. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Addressing healthcare inequalities: Analysing maternal and reproductive health services and utilisation in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Researcher(s): Mr Obasanjo Bolarinwa. Supervisor(s): Professor Julie Balen, Dr Nicole Holt, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Advice provided in the report. Researcher(s): Mrs Gail Sheppard. Supervisor(s): Dr Ian Marsh, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Any Heroine's Journey: A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Empowerment through Intersectional Identities in Swale.. Researcher(s): Mrs Christine Locke. Supervisor(s): Dr Toni Wright, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Arts and health - the lived experiences of artist facilitators. Researcher(s): Miss Sharon Manship. Supervisor(s): Professor Persephone Sextou, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Care givers of community elders with long term condition(s) from a sexual or gender minority, eliciting their perspectives of care provision to find a positive change for providing ageing care. Researcher(s): Mrs Nancy Clark. Supervisor(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Professor Kim Manley. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Community areas of sustainable care and dementia excellence in Europe (CASCADE) - Executive report: A retrospective analysis of the ZorgSaam model of long-term home and residential care for older adults. Researcher(s): Mrs Anne Martin, Dr Raymond Smith, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Miss Irina Sangeorzan, Dr Sabina Hulbert, Dr Toni Wright. [Project report]
  • Community areas of sustainable care and dementia excellence in Europe (CASCADE) - Final report: A process and technology evaluation of the CASCADE programme in the United Kingdom implementation sites. Researcher(s): Mrs Anne Martin, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Miss Irina Sangeorzan, Dr Raymond Smith, Dr Toni Wright, Miss Nikki Price, Professor Konstantinos Sirlantzis. [Project report]
  • Developing an accessible, individualised curriculum resource for PE teachers and support staff to facilitate inclusive PE for children with physical impairment in mainstream primary school. Researcher(s): Ms Margaret Gurr. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • EMPOWERCARE: EMPOWERing individuals & communities to manage their own CARE. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Dr Toni Wright, Miss Michelle England, Mr Thomas Thompson. [Project report]
  • Evalatuation study of the diabetes and welbeing (DWELL) - Report 1: Evaluation methodology. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Miss Sharon Manship, Mr Thomas Thompson, Dr Rachael Morris, Dr Julia Moore, Dr Sabina Hulbert. [Project report]
  • Evaluation of the sleep project for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Kent. Researcher(s): Ms Helen Carr, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Dr Precious Sango. [Project report]
  • Evaluation study of diabetes and wellbeing (DWELL) - Report 2: Participant outcomes. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Miss Sharon Manship, Mr Thomas Thompson, Dr Rachael Morris, Dr Julia Moore, Dr Sabina Hulbert. [Project report]
  • Evaluation study of Diabetes and Wellbeing (DWELL) - Report 3: Process evaluation. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Miss Sharon Manship, Mr Thomas Thompson, Dr Rachael Morris, Dr Julia Moore, Dr Sabina Hulbert. [Project report]
  • Fibromyalgia education for people with a new diagnosis. Researcher(s): Miss Hannah Chambers. Supervisor(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Professor Kate Springett. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • First trimester screening for placental disorders in an unselected antenatal population.. Researcher(s): Dr Edward Golob. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • General Practitioners' perceptions of supporting patients experiencing chronic pain in the UK: an interpretative phenomenological exploration of role, identity and stigma in providing care. Researcher(s): Ms Tamar Wildwing. Supervisor(s): Dr Pat Chung, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Hypoxic perinatal adverse outcomes: causes and strategies for prevention. Researcher(s): Miss Harriet Hickey. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Investigating the correlation and potential causality between cervical spine pathology and oesophageal dysmotility with a view to improving care.. Researcher(s): Mrs Kealey O'Hanlon. Supervisor(s): Dr Paul Lockwood, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Investigating the effects of bioactive molecules from animal venoms on 3D bio-printed skin cancer models. Researcher(s): Miss Alice Upton. Supervisor(s): Dr Georgina Zimbitas, Dr Athina Mylona, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Investigating the empathetic and healing potential of arts-based approaches and practice as research, for people with lived experiences of depersonalisation-derealisation disorder. Researcher(s): Miss Charlotte Grainger. Supervisor(s): Professor Angela Pickard, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Investigation of the context, mechanism and outcome of interventions that impact of loneliness during the covid 19 pandemic for people aged 40+ with cancer. Researcher(s): Mrs Tristi Brownett. Supervisor(s): Professor Chris Burton, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with low-lying placenta and placenta praevia. Researcher(s): Ms Jane Loh Wai Leng. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Mechanised orthosis for children with neurological disorders (MOTION) - Assessment of training needs of professionals and parents in bionic rehabilitation final report on survey and interviews of health care professionals and parents of children with CP. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Ms Joanna Apps, Dr Maria Stein, Dr Julia Moore. [Project report]
  • Mechanised orthosis for children with neurological disorders (MOTION) - Evaluation of training packages. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Dr Maria Stein, Dr Julia Moore, Ms Joanna Apps, Mr Thomas Kanderakis. [Project report]
  • Mechanised orthosis for children with neurological disorders (MOTION) - Normative data collection. Researcher(s): Dr Damian Coleman, Dr Mathew Brown, Mr Markus Hunt, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Project report]
  • Occupational Therapists’ perceptions and understanding of vision assessment for adults with complex needs. Researcher(s): Miss Julie Bradford. Supervisor(s): Dr Pat Chung, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with umbilical cord insertion abnormalities. Researcher(s): Dr Weiyu Iris Zhang. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Provision and accessibility to primary care services for immigrants experiencing homelessness in England: a qualitative exploratory study.. Researcher(s): Miss Carol Namata. Supervisor(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Professor Chris Burton. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Scoping review of literature evidence on community Activation projects and their evaluation. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Dr Rebecca Kent. [Project report]
  • Seated rehabilitation for people with irreparable rotator cuff tears?. Researcher(s): Mr Chris Watts. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Wells, Mrs Gail Sheppard, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Social determinants of mental health of pregnant women: Exploratory mixed methods research in Nepal. Researcher(s): Dr Lalita Sah. Supervisor(s): Dr Jacqueline Wier, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The exploration of the true self through creative therapeutics.. Researcher(s): Mr THOMAS DELAHUNT. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Jonathan Barnes, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • This research assesses the utility and acceptability of non-invasive intrapartum ultrasound in assessing progress in labour and predicting vaginal delivery.. Researcher(s): Dr ALEXANDER FRICK. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Transformative learning through singing for wellbeing: influences on perception of self and musical identity.. Researcher(s): Mrs Sonia Price. Supervisor(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Professor Angela Pickard. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Ultrasound prediction of foetal growth abnormalities and association with maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Researcher(s): Dr Naila Khan. Supervisor(s): Professor Ranjit Akolekar, Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Virtual and augmented reality in healthcare education (VARE) project report. Researcher(s): Professor Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Mrs Julie Taylor, Mrs Nicola Clark, Mr Stuart Field, Mr Josh Reader, Mr Andy Buttery, Professor Bijayendra Singh, Mr Georgios Arealis, Professor Konstantinos Sirlantzis. [Project report]

I act as a regularly review for international academic journals (e.g. BMC Psychology, British Journal of Social Work, International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care; Health and Social Care in the Community; Journal of Social Policy and Journal of Radical Psychology) and member of Editorial Boards at national and international journals (e.g. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care; Mid-Sweden Journal of Public Health; Health Science Journal) and Associate Editor of an international journal (BMC Women’s Health). I have also acted as a guest editor in a number of special issues at international journals.

External Appointments

  • External expert advisor/collaborating stakeholder, EU project “CARE: Common Actions for Refugees and other migrants’ health” (2015-2017)
  • Expert Trainer on Refugee Trauma – International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Malta (2016)
  • Expert member of NHS Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group - Equality and Diversity Steering Group (2012 - 2014)
  • External Expert - Quality Assurance Assessment, Nursing School, Greek Ministry of Education, Athens, Greece (2011)
  • Expert Trainer on Culturally Competence in Health and Social Care Provision – ESDY, Athens, Greece (2010)
  • External Expert/PhD Examiner, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey (2009)
  • Member of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Programme Board Workforce, Education and Training Sub-Group, National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE) (2006-2008)
  • Trustee of the Canterbury and Faversham Forum for Mental Health (2005-2008)
  • Visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology, National School of Public Health, in Athens, Greece (2006-2007)
People search

Contact me

eleni.hatzidimitriadou@canterbury.ac.uk
01227923596

Based in

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care