CURRENT FUNDING 2024-2027: Co-production and validity of a Multistage Cognitive Screening app for Stroke (MCS-stroke) - Stroke Association funded Postdoctoral research fellowship (SA_PF25\100003)

The heterogeneity of post- stroke cognitive impairments is reflected in the range of severity and variety of domain-specific and domain-general degeneration. In addition, stroke survivors may have visual, communication, and/or motor impairments impacting the way we assess cognitive function. Stroke-specific cognitive screening is required, though no single cognitive screening tool can appropriately capture both domain-specific and general cognitive impairment at the correct level of complexity for every single person. I will combine validated stroke-specific cognitive screening tests in a computerised multi-stage format which adapts to the nature and severity of the cognitive impairments under assessment. I will co-produce the Multistage Cognitive Screening computer-tablet app (MSC-Stroke) and reporting, with allied health professionals and stroke survivors. I will determine 1) the equivalency of the MSC-Stroke implemented tests with their paper-based versions, 2) the association between functional outcomes and MCS-Stroke performance, 3) and validate the internal structure of the MSC-Stroke using factor analysis. 300 stroke survivors across the stroke-pathway will be recruited. The outcome of the fellowship will be a co-produced multi-staged cognitive screening app adjustable for most stroke survivors across the stroke pathway. Further research will be needed to ultimately seek medical device regulation for implementation in clinical practice.
- Status: Active.

Ongoing Projects:-

Validating the Oxford Cognitive Screen-Plus for Cognitive Impairment After Traumatic Brain Injury (OCS+ ABI)

This project will evaluate and prepare the Oxford Cognitive Screen-Plus (OCS-Plus) for clinical use following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The OCS-Plus is a tablet-based cognitive screening app already available on the Apple and Google Play Stores, with over 2,000 downloads and a secure data-upload facility for research use. Building on the success of the paper-based Oxford Cognitive Screen (now implemented in 179 NHS stroke units), the OCS-Plus provides brief, domain-specific, and sensitive digital screening for cognitive impairment. The innovation addresses a clear unmet need: there is currently no standardised cognitive screening pathway for TBI in the NHS. Early care often focuses on physical recovery, and cognitive problems are frequently missed until much later, when they already limit independence and participation in rehabilitation. The OCS-Plus offers an evidence-based, scalable, and user-friendly tool that can support early detection, triage, and monitoring across acute and community services. End users include NHS clinicians, neuropsychology and rehabilitation teams, and digital-health providers seeking validated cognitive screening tools. We are recruiting 50 persons with TBI to complete the OCS-Plus as well as several other neuropsychological assessment to pilot the diagnostic accuracy, feasibility, and acceptibility of the OCS-Plus in TBI. - Status: Active recruitment

Consultancy projects

Validating the DiSTRO-Oxford Cognitive Screen, a medical device compliant computer tablet version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen

Funded by the commercial company Brain Stimulation AB (based in Sweden), I was employed as a post-doc on and then consulted on a multi-site international trial psychometrically validating a commercial computer tablet version of the OCS. The study covers stroke wards (acute and rehab) in Sweden, Italy, and the UK. We aimed to collect data for 150 stroke survivors and 100 neurologically healthy controls. We compared the paper OCS to the DiSTRO-OCS to establish equivillance. Awaiting final results and publication. - Status: Analyses finished. (Oct 2025)

Unpublished / Unpre-printed works

From Long to Short: Creation and then Reduction of a Personality Assessment to Aid in Learning and Development

As part of a part-time role with the commercial company Peter Pease Business Psychology, I was leading the psychometric development and validation of a project generating a new personality questionnaire for employee learning and development. I was employed for nearly 18 months for this role which was remote and we produce both a long and short form of the questionnaire which was psychometrically sound. - Status: Project completed Sept 2024.

Essay on alternative facts in psychology

  • This was an essay I wrote in 2017 for my second year of my undergraduate when I just got into Open science. I uploaded this more as a personal joke as I had no idea about open science at that point and had only just stumbled into the state of psychology (i.e., it is on fire).