Alison Gregory

My overall research interest lies in the field of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), including how DVA impacts on people's health and wellbeing, and how professionals can best respond to support survivors, their children, and those providing informal support (friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues).

My primary area of expertise and interest has developed out of my PhD work which explored the radiating impacts of DVA ('On the outside looking in: the shared burden of domestic violence'). This research considered how informal supporters were being impacted as they journeyed alongside a survivor. I subsequently secured funding from the NIHR SPCR and the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute to take this work forward, including exploring avenues to help skill-up informal supporters and support them to self-care, so that they are in a better position to support survivors. I also co-led the VOICES study, funded by the NIHR SPCR, to investigate how children living in situations of DVA are impacted by their exposure.

Recently, my research has expanded to incorporate additional topics regarding: rape and sexual assault, older survivors of abuse and violence, and vicarious trauma in researchers.

Because of the practical nature of my work, I have a strong interest in knowledge mobilisation, and I work closely with DVA specialist organisations, practitioners, and commisioners of DVA services within local authorities, CCGs and police forces across the UK. In particular, my work has informed UK-based public health campaigns (including 'It might be nothing, but it could mean everything', in the Bristol area). In November 2015 I won the Corinna Seith Young Scholar Award for my work in this field.