Staff Profile
Dr Laura McGowan
Research Associate
- Email: laura.mcgowan@ncl.ac.uk
- Personal Website:
- Address: Population Health Sciences Institute
Faculty of Medical Sciences
缅北禁地
My background is predominantly in Behavioural Science and Health Psychology. I completed my PhD in Psychology at the University of Manchester in 2020, having previously completed my BSc and MRes in Psychology. I joined the Population Health Sciences Institute at 缅北禁地 in May 2020, working on a Policy Research Programme (PRP) National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funded project exploring health interventions for those experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage. I joined the Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences in June 2022.
Qualifications
PhD Psychology - University of Manchester
MRes Psychology (Distinction) - University of Manchester
BSc (Hons) Psychology (First) - University of Manchester
Professional Memberships
Chartered Member (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society and Full Member of the Division of Health Psychology
Associate Member of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health
As a leading behavioural scientist, I specialise in novel, theoretically informed health interventions to tackle enduring challenges and inequalities within health systems. My work generates evidence for policy innovation, with my expertise particularly sought by policymakers to support populations under-served by traditional health services or systems. Conceptually my work centres around empowerment: of the public in their health journeys, of healthcare professionals in driving change, and of systems in removing constraints for innovation.
I have a particular interest in physical activity and sedentary behaviour, with my PhD thesis comprising the development of an intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults. I have also led the evaluation of co-produced community physical activity interventions for older adults across Greater Manchester, and of a remotely-delivered sedentary behaviour reduction intervention for older adults with frailty. Within the NIHR PRU Behavioural and Social Sciences, I have led projects on the implementation of virtual wards in the NHS, consideration of risk and safety in medical tourism, and exploration of enhancing capacity within the nursing workforce. Methodologically, my expertise lies within qualitative research methods, though I also have experience in quantitative and mixed-methods research.
I currently co-supervise a PhD student on a programme of work exploring how human-organismic perspectives can be used to enhance the effectiveness of physical activity systems in tackling physical activity inequalities. I am happy to be approached for future PhD supervision.
I deliver lectures and workshops on physical activity and exercise psychology, health psychology and behaviour change, intervention development and evaluation, and advanced qualitative and mixed methodologies across multiple undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including: MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology, MSc Forensic Psychology, MSc Sports and Exercise Psychology, MDiet, BSc Sport and Exercise Science, and BSc Psychology.
I have supervised numerous BSc and MSc students to complete their research dissertations.
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Articles
- McGowan LJ, Nichol B, McKenzie M, Chater A, Vlaev I, Grimani A. . International Journal of Nursing Studies 2026, 174, 105306.
- Howlett N, Antonopoulou V, McKinlay A, Lorencatto F, McGowan LJ, Osborn D, O'Donnell A, Oliver EJ, Vlaev I, Sniehotta FF, Kelly MP, Michie S, Kemp C, Pappas Y, Randhawa G, Ali N, Munro E, Chater AM. . Systematic Reviews 2025, 14(1), 224.
- McKinlay AR, Howlett N, Antonopoulou V, Lorencatto F, McGowan LJ, Osborn D, O'Donnell A, Oliver EJ, Vlaev I, Sniehotta FF, Kelly MP, Michie S, Kemp C, Pappas Y, Randhawa G, Ali N, Munro E, Chater AM. . Systematic Reviews 2025, 14, 168.
- Ray D, Dhami R, Mukherjee A, Lecouturier J, McGowan LJ, Vlaev I, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. . Journal of Health Psychology 2025, 30(10), 2529-2541.
- McGowan LJ, Graham F, Lecouturier J, Goffe L, Echevarria C, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. . Journal of Medical Internet Research 2024, 26(1), e56494.
- 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. . PLoS ONE 2024, 19(4), e0298885.
- Ray D, Dhami R, Lecouturier J, McGowan LJ, Mukherjee A, Vlaev I, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. . Scientific Reports 2024, 14, 3322.
- 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. . 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. . BMJ Public Health 2024, 2(1), e000626.
- 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. . PLoS ONE 2024, 19(12), e0315254.
- McGowan LJ, Chater AM, Harper JH, Kilbride C, Victor C, Brierley ML, Bailey DP. . BMC Geriatrics 2024, 24(1), 820.
- McGowan LJ, Davies A, David DP, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Boulton E, Todd C, Phillipson C, Powell R. Using participatory approaches in physical activity services for older adults: A qualitative analysis of the views and experiences of participants and service deliverers. 2021. Submitted.
- 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. . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11554.
- Tang MY, Rhodes S, Powell R, McGowan LJ, Howarth E, Brown B, Cotterill S. . Implementation Science 2021, 16(1), 1-19.
- Davies A, French DP, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Boulton E, Todd C, Phillipson C, McGowan LJ, Powell R. . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18(4), 2172.
- 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. . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11755.
- McGowan L, Joyes E, Adams E, Richmond C, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Broadbridge A, Dobson K, Landes D, Moffat S, Watt R, Sniehotta F, Paisi M, Bambra C, Craig D, Kaner E, Ramsay S. . PROSPERO 2020, CRD42020202416.
- Cotterill S, Tang MY, Powell R, Howarth E, McGowan LJ, Roberts J, Brown B, Rhodes S. . Health Services and Delivery Research 2020, 8(41).
- McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. . Journal of Health Psychology 2020, 26(12), 2186-2199.
- McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. . British Journal of Health Psychology 2020, 25(3), 677-694.
- McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. . Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 2019, 27(5), 642-652.
- McGowan LJ, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Powell R, French DP. . International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2018, 11(1), 1-24.
- McSharry J, McGowan LJ, Farmer AJ, French DP. . Diabetic Medicine 2016, 33(5), 565-579.
- Farmer AJ, McSharry J, Rowbotham S, McGowan LJ, Ricci-Cabello I, French DP. . Diabetic Medicine 2016, 33(5), 565-579.
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Book Chapters
- McGowan LJ, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Powell R, French DP. . In: Llewellyn CD; Ayers S; McManus C; Newman S; Petrie KJ; Revenson TA; Weinman J, ed. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019, pp.61-64.
- Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Powell R, McGowan LJ, French DP. . In: S. R. Nyman, A. Barker, T. Haines, K. Horton, C. Musselwhite, G. Peeters, C. R. Victor, ... J. K. Wolff, ed. The Palgrave Handbook of Ageing and Physical Activity Promotion. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan Ltd, 2018, pp.291-311.