My background

I am a lecturer in International Health Services Research at a London university where I teach doctors, nurses and other health professionals at postgraduate level.

Please note that the views expressed on this site and blog are not necessarily those of my university.

I regularly present at conferences in the UK and internationally, and complete research and training within the area of sex and relationships health.

I have a BA in Social Psychology (Sussex University), and a PhD is in Applied Human Psychology (Aston University). My PhD focused on the effects of sexually explicit material.

I have lectured at a number of UK universities, specialising in evidence based healthcare, and understanding research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative).

My research has covered topics within the area of sexual health, including the effects of pornography, women involved in street prostitution, policy and practice in sex education, evaluating advice giving in the media, sexual functioning, and modernising sexual health services.

Prizes and awards

2005

E-tutor of the year, Times Higher Education Supplement and Association for Learning Technology
Awarded to myself and colleagues for our online international health care MSc

2004

Campaigner of the year, International Erotic Awards
For bringing sex research and evidence to the public via the media

2003

Named a "Woman To Watch" by the Guardian Newspaper
For being the UK's first evidence based Agony Aunt

2001

International Award for Psychology, Female Sexual Functioning Forum
For evaluating sex research methods

2000

"Woman of Achievement in Education", Cosmopolitan magazine
For efforts in widening participation in education


Media work

Regular columns

I am the agony aunt at the teenage website Mykindaplace, Sex Editor at mansized.co.uk, and Relationship Advisor at Beauty Zambia.

I have previously written advice columns for Men's Health, Grazia, and B magazines.

Articles by me

I have written for many publications including the Daily Mail, Daily Record, The Guardian, New Scientist, B, 19, and Libido Magazine

Articles about me

You will find stories about me in Cosmopolitan, the Daily Mail, The Independent, Glamour, Birmingham Post, The Psychologist and The Guardian

Radio

I present a regular sex and relationships show on BBC Five Live, and have featured in hundreds of radio programmes for local, national and international stations, including Woman's Hour, You and Yours (BBC Radio 4), What's the Problem? (BBC World Service), Newsbeat (Radio 1), LBC, Talk Radio, and BBC Asian Network.

Other media contributions

My quotes have appeared in over three thousand publications including most UK tabloid and broadsheet papers, several international publications, websites such as Femail, I-circle, Handbag, Rainbow Network, The Site and Teletext, and magazines including Arena, Best, Bella, B, Bliss, Cosmopolitan (UK and US editions), Company, Essentials, Eve, Glamour (UK, US and French editions), Marie Claire, Men's Health, More, New Woman, Real, Red, Redbook, Runner's World, Shape, Shine, Sugar, Top Sante, Woman's Own, Woman, Zest, and 19.


Sex education

I have written and taught an online course for doctors to improve their communication skills in sex and relationships health (with doctors.net). I run an international training and support group for agony aunts/media sex advisors. I contribute to "The Dating Game", a South London project aimed at providing sex and relationships support and advice for mental health service users and their partners/friends. I also support The Outsiders Trust who provide advice for those who are disabled and are seeking relationships.


Memberships

I am a member of a number of professional organisations including The British Psychological Society, Involve, and was part of the National Inquiry into Self Harm.