Staff Profile

Laura completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Manchester within Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, having previously completed her BSc and MRes in Psychology. Laura 's background is predominantly in Health Psychology, with key research interests including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and using theoretical approaches in the design, development, and evaluation of health behaviour change interventions. Laura's PhD thesis investigated the acceptability of reducing sedentary behaviour in older adult populations, and included the development and evaluation of a brief information-provision intervention. She has experience in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research designs.

Laura currently holds a Research Associate position at Newcastle University with the Population Health Sciences Institute, working on a Policy Research Programme (PRP) National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funded project exploring health interventions for adults experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage.  

Qualifications

PhD Psychology - University of Manchester

MRes Psychology (Distinction) - University of Manchester 

BSc Psychology (Hons) (First) - University of Manchester

Professional Memberships

Chartered Member (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society and Full Member of the Division of Health Psychology

Member of European Health Psychology Society 

Associate Member of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health

• Articles

  • 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. Exploring the factors that influence engagement with and experiences of integrated care for adults at risk of cardiovascular disease and mild-to-moderate mental health concerns in the UK (OptICS): a systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews 2025, 14, 168.
  • Ray D, Dhami R, Mukherjee A, Lecouturier J, McGowan LJ, Vlaev I, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. Exploring personality correlates of falsification of COVID-19 lateral flow tests through vignettes. Journal of Health Psychology 2025, 30(10), 2529-2541.
  • McGowan LJ, Graham F, Lecouturier J, Goffe L, Echevarria C, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. The Views and Experiences of Integrated Care System Commissioners About the Adoption and Implementation of Virtual Wards in England: Qualitative Exploration Study. 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. 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.
  • Ray D, Dhami R, Lecouturier J, McGowan LJ, Mukherjee A, Vlaev I, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. Falsification of home rapid antigen lateral flow tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 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.
  • Tang MY, Rhodes S, Powell R, McGowan LJ, Howarth E, Brown B, Cotterill S. How effective are social norms interventions in changing the clinical behaviours of healthcare workers? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Implementation Science 2021, 16(1), 1-19.
  • Davies A, French DP, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Boulton E, Todd C, Phillipson C, McGowan LJ, Powell R. How do decision makers and service providers experience participatory approaches to developing and implementing physical activity interventions with older adults? A thematic analysis. 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. 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.
  • 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. Systematic review of oral health and related health behaviour interventions in adults with severe and multiple disadvantages. PROSPERO 2020, CRD42020202416.
  • Cotterill S, Tang MY, Powell R, Howarth E, McGowan LJ, Roberts J, Brown B, Rhodes S. Social norms interventions to change clinical behaviour in health workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Services and Delivery Research 2020, 8(41).
  • McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. Older adults’ construal of sedentary behaviour: Implications for reducing sedentary behaviour in older adult populations. Journal of Health Psychology 2020, 26(12), 2186-2199.
  • McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. How can use of the Theoretical Domains Framework be optimised in qualitative research? A rapid systematic review. British Journal of Health Psychology 2020, 25(3), 677-694.
  • McGowan LJ, Powell R, French DP. How acceptable is reducing sedentary behavior to older adults? Perceptions and experiences across diverse socioeconomic areas. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 2019, 27(5), 642-652.
  • McGowan LJ, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Powell R, French DP. How acceptable do older adults find the concept of being physically active? A systematic review and meta-synthesis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2018, 11(1), 1-24.
  • McSharry J, McGowan LJ, Farmer AJ, French DP. Perceptions and experiences of taking oral medications for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies. Diabetic Medicine 2016, 33(5), 565-579.
  • Farmer AJ, McSharry J, Rowbotham S, McGowan LJ, Ricci-Cabello I, French DP. Effects of interventions promoting monitoring of medication use and brief messaging on medication adherence for people with Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of randomized trials. Diabetic Medicine 2016, 33(5), 565-579.

• Book Chapters

  • McGowan LJ, Devereux-Fitzgerald A, Powell R, French DP. Physical activity and health. 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. Making physical activity interventions acceptable to older people. 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.