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Staff Profile

Dr Christina Dobson

Research Associate

  • Email: christina.dobson@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 0191 208 2274
  • Address: Population Health Sciences Institute
    Sir James Spence Institute
    Royal Victoria Infirmary
    Newcastle-upon-Tyne
    NE1 4LP
Background


My research focuses on the early diagnosis of cancer and delays in the diagnostic pathways of cancer patients. I am particularly interested in people's experiences of symptoms and help-seeking, as well as inequalities in the diagnosis of cancer. My current research focuses on rural cancer inequalities, as rural populations face poorer outcomes for a number of cancers, than urban populations do. 

My background is in medical anthropology and I have expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies. 


Research

I am the Principal Investigator on a Yorkshire Cancer Research funded study, entitled RURALLY (Recognition, Understandings of, and Responses to colorectal symptoms Among people Living in rural Localities of Yorkshire). This study explores the experiences and management of symptoms of bowel cancer and triggers and barriers to help-seeking among people residing in rural North Yorkshire. Findings from interview and survey data will be used to inform the co-design of an intervention to encourage earlier presentation among rural populations. 

I have recently been awarded funding from the Northern Network of Medical Humanities Research Seed Fund to undertake a 'guide-the-guide' walk exploring the link between body, embodied experience and place. Alongside my co-investigators, we will draw together our expertise from our respective fields of cancer, medical humanities and rural studies to explore how rural places shape how people conceive of and experience the body, health and illness, using an innovative creative research methodology. 


Publications