Recruitment Update: Following a successful 2024 recruitment period, recruitment has now temporarily closed and will be re-opening in 2025. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's interest and participation in the study so far. If you would like to be contacted about recruitment in the new year, please let us know via our Contact Us Page.

Research Team

Spnt.OUTSIDE@nhs.net

If you want to take part in the OUTSIDE Study Find Out More

The OUTSIDE study. A randomised controlled trial.

The experienced team running this study include some of the trailblazers in using cold water swimming to improve mental health. They are based in Brighton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Midlands and Oxford and have backgrounds in medicine, psychology, physiology, statistics, health economics and public involvement.

Many of the research team are keen outdoor swimmers themselves, so have a clear insight of the challenges and joys of the cold water and this work has developed from their own experiences.

As well as publishing scientific papers, they have also shared information with the wider public through podcasts, talks, television, magazines, newspapers, books and social media.

MEET THE TEAM

Heather Massey

Heather is a Senior Lecturer in human environmental physiology and studies how the cold affects our body.

Clara Strauss

Clara is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Clinical Psychology in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and at the University of Sussex.

Hannah Denton

Hannah is a Counselling Psychologist and has worked in adult mental health in Sussex for over 20 years.

Sandy Ciccognani

Sandy is a PPI Representative and a Community Filmmaker. She has been a PPI contributor to other NIHR funded research projects including OUTSIDE 1.

Sam Robertson

Sam is the Involvement Lead and has extensive experience of PPI and co-production within NHS mental health services.

Dr Amy Burlingham

Amy is a Specialist Trainee in General Adult and Older Adult Psychiatry.

Dr Rebecca Cunningham

Rebecca is a Specialist Trainee in Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy.

Dr Mark Harper

Mark is a Consultant Anaesthetist and an Honorary Clinical Reader at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Kay Aranda

Kay is a Reader in Sociology in Health and Illness with a background in community health, including mental health and wellbeing.

Anna-Marie Bibby-Jones

Anna-Marie is a Trial Statistician with experience in designing, conducting and analysing NIHR RCTs of mental health interventions.

Mara Violato

Mara Violato is an Associate Professor and Senior Health Economist with extensive expertise in economic evaluations of mental health interventions.

Stephen Bremner

Stephen Bremner is a Professor of Medical Statistics and will oversee, and be responsible for, the statistical aspects of the trial from a CTU perspective.

Laura Hearnshaw

Laura has been working in Research and Development at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust since 2021 as a Research Assistant on qualitative studies and Senior Assistant Psychologist delivering CBTp.

Diana Phillips

Diana is a Senior Research Assistant working on OUTSIDE2. She holds a MSc in Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences and a BSc in Psychology from King’s College London.

Adam Jones

Adam is a Senior Research Assistant for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Prior to university he trained as a kayaking and climbing instructor in South Wales.

Emily Budden

Emily joined Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in 2022 and has worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator and a Research Assistant in mental health research and dementia research.

Lily Holland

Lily is a Senior Research Assistant working on OUTSIDE2 at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and holds a MSc in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex.

Keri-anne Payne OLY

Keri-anne is a double world champion and Olympic Silver medalist in the 10K open water swim. Keri-anne tutors swim coaches and runs open water coaching courses. She is supporting the study by coordinating the swim coaches.

Ruby Warden

Ruby is a Senior Research Assistant on OUTSIDE2 and has worked at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust since 2022. She holds a MSc in Applied Neuropsychology and a BSc in Psychology from the University of Bristol.

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