Staff Profile

I am a member of the Population Health Sciences Institute and work in the Public Health and Health Inequalities theme. I am an associate member of Fuse the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health and currently hold an NIHR Doctoral Fellowship. 

I joined Newcastle University in February 2020 as an NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) Pre-doctoral Fellow, followed by a 1 year Mental Health Fellowship with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC). My research interests are centred around public health and inequalities, with much of my work focusing on mental health (including drug and alcohol use) and homelessness. I am particularly interested in co-producing my work, which means I work with people with lived experience across all stages of my work. 

Prior to moving to Newcastle, I was based at a tertiary mental health facility in Whitby, Ontario (Canada) where I worked in both research and system-level strategy. I have co-led a range of projects, some of which include service mapping, coordinated care model development, regional engagement and implementation initiatives. 

I am open to supervising Master students who are interested in public mental health, substance use, and public health for individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Qualifications

Master of Science in Public Health, specializing in Global Health (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Postgraduate certificate in Project Management (Centennial College)

Honours Bachelor in Health Sciences (University of Ottawa)

Research interests:

• Public mental health
• Homelessness
• Substance use
• Access to care
• Co-production

I have obtained over £4 million in funding as a (co-) principal investigator and co-investigator.

Selected current research funding:

• The impact of trauma on mental health in people experiencing homelessness: a qualitative study exploring the role of system factors and social networks. (2023-2026). NIHR Doctoral Fellowship. (Principal Investigator: £322,050)
• Reducing inequalities related to substance use and mental health. (2024-2026). NIHR Public Health Policy Research Unit. (Co-Principal Investigator: £379,091)
• Making every community asset count: improving health and reducing inequalities for people experiencing homelessness (2024-2027). UKRI. (Co-I: £1,424,512)
• Understanding the Missing Links: Integrated Health and Social Care for People Experiencing Homelessness. (2024-2026). NIHR Policy Research Programme. (Co-I: £799,198)
• “My dog is my home”: Enhancing pet acceptance into homelessness accommodation services in the UK. (2024-2025). Society for Companion Animal Studies. (Co-I: £10,000)
• Co-design and mixed-methods evaluation of interventions to meet the unmet health needs of alcohol and substance using populations, with and without coexisting homelessness, in Sunderland (2023-2025). Sunderland Council (Co-I: £146,292)

Selected past research funding

• Exploring what works well and less well in a community-based drop-in delivery model providing integrated health and wellbeing services for people experiencing homelessness. (2023-2024). Newcastle University Research Excellence Development Award. (Principal Investigator: £3,225)
• Learning from the 'Everyone In' approach to providing mental health and physical health support (including substance misuse), and how this can be translated to future policy and practice. (2022-2024). NIHR Public Health Policy Research Unit. (Co-Principal Investigator: £351,212)
• Reducing the population burden from severe mental illness and related inequalities in England: a population-based cohort study to identify opportunities for early identification and prevention (2023-2024). NIHR Public Health Policy Research Unit. (Co-I: £113,621)
• Identifying multi-agency, trauma-informed and integrated solutions for unmet need of individuals experiencing homelessness in Northumberland and North Tyneside (2021-2023). NIHR Research for Social Care (RfSC) Rapid Call on Mental Health. (Co-I: £309,663)
• Evidence synthesis: training, networking, and undertaking a systematic review around trauma, mental health, and homelessness. (2022-2023). Three NIHR Schools Mental Health Programme - Individual Research Career Development Award. (Principal Investigator: £24,760)
• Exploring and understanding access to community-based mental health and addiction services for service users experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage and providers in Newcastle and Gateshead in times of extreme adversity. (2020-2022). NIHR SPHR - ResNet ECR Funding. (Principal Investigator: £25,627.44)
• NIHR School for Public Health Research Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. (2020-2022). NIHR School for Public Health Research. (Personal Funding: £117,485)

• Articles

  • Jain N, Adams EA, Haddow K, Brown J, Bleksley D, Morrison S, Kesten J, Howells K, Sanders C, Adamson AJ, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Learnings from providing integrated health, housing and wider care for people rough sleeping during the COVID- 19 pandemic: a national qualitative study of the ‘Everyone In’ policy initiative. BMC Health Services Research 2025.
  • Ramsay SE, Cai Z, Sinclair DR, Prina M, Osborn DPJ, Adamson AJ, Kaner E, Adams EA. Inequalities at Age of Diagnosis of Severe Mental Illness in England. JAMA Network Open 2025, 8(1), e2457371.
  • Thirkle SA, Adams EA, Harland J, Robertshaw L, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Health and care needs of people experiencing homelessness attending emergency care services in rural and coastal North East England: a quantitative study using hospital data. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness 2025, epub ahead of print.
  • Wearn A, Brennan-Tovey K, Adams EA, Alderson H, Baariu J, Cheetham M, Bartle V, Palfreyman L, Rooke V, Shenton F, Ramsay SE, Kaner E. Evaluating Process and Outcomes of Public Involvement in Applied Health and Social Care Research: A Rapid Systematic Review. Health Expectations 2025, 28(1), e70160.
  • Thirkle, SA, Adams, EA, Harland, J, John, DA, Kaner, E, Ramsay, SE. ‘The lights are on, and the doors are always open’: a qualitative study to understand challenges underlying the need for emergency care in people experiencing homelessness in rural and coastal North East England. BMJ Public Health 2025.
  • Redgate S, Smart D, Barrett S, Barron C, Burns S, Frost H, McGovern W, Peart V, Adams E, Alderson H, Kaner E, McGovern R. Mechanisms That Promote and Support Family Preservation for Children at the Edge of Care: A Realist Synthesis. SAGE Open 2024, 14(2).
  • Plackett R, Hulin J, Mukuria C, Clowes M, Ramsay SE, Spencer L, Adams EA, Dykxhoorn J, Walters K, Osborn DPJ, Zamperoni V, Jones O, Weich S. Measures of social connectedness in adult populations: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2024, 24(1), 3384.
  • Thirkle SA, Adams EA, John DA, Harland J, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Mapping the organisational network of support for people experiencing homelessness in rural coastal areas of North East England: Results from a mixed-methods multi-sector social network analysis. PLoS Mental Health 2024, 1(7), e0000207.
  • Spencer L, Redgate S, Hardy C, Adams EA, Arnott B, Brown H, Christie A, Harrison H, Kaner E, Mawson C, McGovern W, Rankin J, McGovern R. Innovative local authority public health interventions to support the mental health of children and young people. Journal of Children’s Services 2024, 19(3), 173-188.
  • McGowan LJ, John DA, Kenny RPW, Joyes EC, Adams EA, Shabaninejad H, Richmond C, Beyer FR, Landes D, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF, Paisi M, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Improving oral health and related health behaviours (substance use, smoking, diet) in people with severe and multiple disadvantage: A systematic review of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions. PLoS ONE 2024, 19(4), e0298885.
  • John DA, Adams EA, McGowan LJ, Joyes EC, Richmond C, Beyer FR, Landes D, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF, Paisi M, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Factors influencing implementation and sustainability of interventions to improve oral health and related health behaviours in adults experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: a mixed-methods systematic review. BMJ Open 2024, 14(1), e080160.
  • Jain N, Adams EA, Joyes EC, McLellan G, Burrows M, Paisi M, McGowan LJ, Iafrate L, Landes D, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Factors affecting implementation of interventions for oral health, substance use, smoking and diet for people with severe and multiple disadvantage: a community-based qualitative study in England. BMJ Public Health 2024, 2(1), e000626.
  • Adams EA, Ramsay SE. Exploring what works well and less well in a community-based drop-in hub providing health and wellbeing services for people experiencing homelessness: a participatory action evaluation of service coordination. BMC Health Services Research 2024, 24, 1423.
  • Adams EA, Hunter D, Kennedy J, Jablonski T, Parker J, Tasker F, Widnall E, O'Donnell AJ, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Exploring perspectives on living through the COVID-19 pandemic for people experiencing homelessness and dealing with mental ill-health and/or substance use: qualitative study. Advances in Dual Diagnosis 2024, 17(1), 1-13.
  • Jain N, Adams EA, Joyes EC, McLellan G, Burrows M, Paisi M, McGowan LJ, Iafrate L, Landes D, Watt R, Sniehotta FF, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Engagement and access to support for oral health, substance use, smoking and diet by people with severe and multiple disadvantage: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE 2024, 19(12), e0315254.
  • Salonen D, McGovern R, Allen-Sobo L, Adams E, Muir C, Bourne J, Herlihy F, Hunter D, Kaner E. Being and becoming a farther in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use - a qualitative evidence synthesis. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy 2024, 31(2), 163-178.
  • Adams EA, Yang JC, O'Donnell A, Minot S, Osborn D, Kirkbride JB. Investigating social deprivation and comorbid mental health diagnosis as predictors of treatment access among patients with an opioid use disorder using substance use services: a prospective cohort study. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 2023, 18, 59.
  • Baskin,C,Duncan,F,Adams,EA,Oliver,EJ,Samuel,G,Gnani,S. How co-locating public mental health interventions in community settings impacts mental health and health inequalities: a multi-site realist evaluation. BMC Public Health 2023, 23.
  • Muir C, Adams EA, Evans V, GeijerSimpson E, Kaner E, Phillips SM, Salonen D, Smart D, Winstone L, McGovern R. A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Exploring Lived Experiences, Perceived Impact, and Coping Strategies of Children and Young People Whose Parents Use Substances. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 2023, 24(5), 3629-3646.
  • Redgate S, Spencer L, Adams EA, Arnott B, Brown H, Christie A, Hardy C, Harrison H, Kaner E, Mawson C, McGovern W, Phillips P, Rankin J, McGovern R. A realist approach to understanding alliancing within Local Government public health and social care service provision. European Journal of Public Health 2023, 33(1), 49-55.
  • Adams EA, Spencer L, Addison M, McGovern W, Alderson H, Adley M, McGovern R, Gilvarry E, Kaner E, O'Donnell A. Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19(12), 6996.
  • Widnall E, Winstone L, Plackett R, Adams EA, Haworth CMA, Mars B, Kidger J. Impact of school and peer connectedness on adolescent mental health and well-being outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal panel survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6768.
  • Widnall E, Adams EA, Plackett R, Winstone L, Haworth CMA, Mars B, Kidger J. Adolescent Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures and Implications for Mental Health, Peer Relationships and Learning: A Qualitative Study in South-West England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7163.
  • Adams EA, Parker J, Jablonski T, Kennedy J, Tasker F, Hunter D, Denham K, Smiles C, Muir C, O'Donnell A, Widnall E, Dotsikas K, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. A Qualitative Study Exploring Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Support among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness during COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3459.
  • Harland JM, Adams EA, Boobis S, Cheetham M, Wiseman A, Ramsay SE. Understanding the life experiences of people with multiple complex needs: peer research in a health needs assessement. European Journal of Public Health 2021, ckab142.
  • McGowan LJ, Joyes EC, Adams EA, Coyte A, Gavin R, Richmond C, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Broadbridge A, Dobson K, Landes D, Moffat S, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF, Freeman R, Paisi M, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Investigating the Effectiveness and Acceptability of Oral Health and Related Health Behaviour Interventions in Adults with Severe and Multiple Disadvantage: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11554.
  • Joyes EC, McGowan LJ, Adams EA, Paisi M, Burrows M, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Haddow K, Coyte A, Landes D, Moffatt S, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. Exploring interventions to improve the oral health and related health behaviours of adults experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: protocol for a qualitative study with stakeholders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11755.
  • Perry R, Adams EA, Harland J, Broadbridge A, Giles EL, McGeechan GJ, O'Donnell A, Ramsay SE. Exploring high mortality rates among people with multiple and complex needs: A qualitative study using peer research methods. BMJ Open 2021, 11(6), e044634.
  • Duncan F, Baskin C, McGrath M, Coker JR, Lee C, Dykxhoorn J, Adams EA, Gnani S, Lafortune L, Kirkbride JB, Kaner E, Jones O, Samuel G, Walters K, Osborn D, Oliver EJ. Community interventions for improving adult mental health: mapping local policy and practice in England. BMC Public Health 2021, 21, 1691.
  • Marshall LA, Adams EA, Stuckey MI. Relationships, experience, and support: staff perception of safety in a forensic mental health facility. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology 2019, 30(5), 824-835.
  • Adams EA, Darj E, Wijewardene K, Infanti JJ. Perceptions on the sexual harassment of female nurses in a state hospital in Sri Lanka: a qualitative study. Global Health Action 2019, 12(1), 1560587.
  • Marshall LA, Adams EA. Building from the ground up: exploring forensic mental health staff’s relationships with patients. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology 2018, 29(5), 744-761.
  • Srour H, Ratel O, Leocmach M, Adams EA, Denis-Quanquin S, Appukuttan V, Taberlet N, Manneville S, Majesté J, Carrot C, Andraud C, Monnereau C. Mediating gel formation from structurally controlled poly(electrolytes) through multiple "head-to-body" electrostatic interactions. Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2015, 36(1), 55-59.

• Review

  • Adams EA, Brennan-Tovey K, McGrath J, Thirkle S, Jain N, Aquino MRJ, Bartle V, Kennedy J, Ogden M, Parker J, Koehne S, Kaner E, Ramsay SE. A Co-produced International Qualitative Systematic Review on Lived Experiences of Trauma During Homelessness in Adulthood and Impacts on Mental Health. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse 2024, epub ahead of print.