I joined Sheffield Hallam University as an Associate Lecturer in 2003 and as a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography in 2017. I completed my doctoral thesis at the University of Sheffield in 2005 and went on to complete an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2008 at the University of Glasgow.

Education:

2001-2005 Department of Geography, University of Sheffield: DPhil (ESRC awarded)

2000-2001 University of Sheffield: MA in Social and Cultural Geographies

1994-1997 University of Sussex: BA(Hons) Geography and Development Studies

Research:

My ongoing research interests concern the social, cultural and political geographies of (mental) health and wellbeing. These have been explored through two interrelated areas. First, through my PhD (awarded 2006) and ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007-2008), I have looked at political contestations which surround both mental health law and end of life care in England and Wales. Much of this research is grounded in the work of Foucault and his notions of biopolitics, governmentality, counter-conduct, and agonism. Second, I have looked at the relationship between ‘Eastern’ contemplative practices, such as yoga and meditation and everyday health and wellbeing practices. 

My current research examines political contestations surrounding reforms to the Mental Health Act in England and Wales (2000-2025), developing work on Foucault, law, authoritarian liberalism and govenrmentality.