Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 

NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Council 

NIHR Oxford Applied Research Collaboration

David Ray | Simon Kyle | Colin Espie | Paul Aveyard | Carmen Piernas 

I am a Senior Research Associate and BPS-accredited Chartered Psychologist with expertise in behavioural science.

Current Research

As Principal Investigator, I lead NIHR-funded projects broadly aimed at changing behaviours in primary care. I use mixed methods to design and test behavioural interventions that address cardiovascular disease risk factors, including obesity, smoking, and sleep disorders. My focus is on under-served groups such as ethnic minorities and people with severe mental illness.

Background

I earned my DPhil in Primary Health Care from the University of Oxford, an MSc (Hons) in Clinical Neurodevelopment at King's College London, and a BSc in Psychology and Languages at University College London. At Oxford, I held several position including Research Assistant, Research Associate, Junior Dean, and Lecturer. In 2024, I joined Bristol as a Senior Research Associate. I serve as an Editorial Board Member of the BMC and member of Bristol Health Partner's Psychosis Health Integration Team.

Senior Hulme scholarship (2021), University of Oxford

Doctoral scholarship (2019-22), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Sackler Institute award for the highest grade (2016), King's College London 

Postgraduate scholarship (2015-16), Leverhulme Trust

Module Lead (2021-present), BSc Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford 

Tutor (2022-present), BSc Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford 

Assistant (2019-present), Short Courses in Qualitative Research Methods, University of Oxford