Projects per year
Overview
Profile summary
I am a researcher and Consultant in Public Health. I currently work as a Researcher-in-Residence at Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust (an Integrated Care Organisation), researching and supporting the evaluation of its new model of integrated care, particularly in relation to person-centred care (integrated care and social prescribing) and knowledge mobilisation (the Researcher-in-Residence).
I have worked in academia, the NHS and the voluntary sector. Prior to this post I was a Screening and Immunisation Lead for the South West Peninsula, overseeing the implementation, quality and governance of programmes.
My academic interests also relate to inter-organisational working, quality improvement, quality assurance and health inequalities.
I am a multidisciplinary, mixed-methods researcher drawing on a wide range of literatures, including health services, public health, sociology, economics and organisation theory. I have published primary and secondary research on a range of public health related topics (health services, health protection and health promotion).
Professional memberships
I am a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health
Teaching interests
I have been teaching undergraduate medical students public health at the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter since 2006. This has included giving lectures and workshops on over 33 different topics, using a variety of teaching methods and approaches.
I enjoy teaching and strive to ensure that those whom I teach are enthused by my interest in and knowledge of public health. I am particularly keen for medical students to be able to locate clinical work in a broader context, so that they understand what drives demand for health care and recognise their wider role, such as in health promotion and health planning.
I have taught on MSc in Public Health at LSHTM, University of London as guest speaker on the Health Management module, whilst training as a Consultant in Public Health.
As a PhD student and Research Fellow, I was involved in organising and running the MSc in Public Health. This involved developing and delivering teaching sessions, tutoring students, reviewing the curriculum, setting exam questions, marking papers and attending a variety of teaching committees to discuss course evaluation and development.
I am also trained as an educational/academic supervisor for the Severn Deanery, supporting Specialist Registrars in Public Health become consultants.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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MHRG: NIHR Mental Health Research Group at the University of Plymouth
Byng, R. (PI - Principal Investigator), Hardwick, R. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Hayes, A. A. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Hunt, D. M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Lang, I. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Elston, J. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Ryan, M. P. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Homer, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Spicer, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Zhou, Y. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Burns, L. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Hobson-Merrett, C. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Barrett, B. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Shankar, R. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Rimes, K. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Stewart, R. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Farrell, R. (RF - Research Fellow)
1/04/26 → 31/03/31
Project: Research
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NASP - Academic Partners Collaborative
Burns, L. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Asthana, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Byng, R. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Husk, K. (PI - Principal Investigator) & Elston, J. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
National Academy for Social Prescribing
29/01/21 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
Research output
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Implementing Population Health Management (PHM) Across an Integrated Care System in England, Using Action Learning Sets and an Embedded, Formative Process Evaluation.
Elston, J., Asthana, S. & Gradinger, F., 24 Apr 2026, In: International Journal of Integrated Care.. 26, 2, p. 1-15 15 p., 5.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Appreciating dissonance: Using open appreciative inquiry as a tool to generate cultural change
Dorr, C., Asthana, S., Elston, J., Gradinger, F., Preece, D., Schwartz, D., Scott, G., Wallace, G. & Harrell, R., 14 Jul 2025, In: Teaching Public Administration. 43, Special Issue 2, p. 214-229 16 p., 01447394251360762.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile14 Downloads (Pure) -
Australian and UK Perspectives on Social Prescribing Implementation Research: Theory, Measurement, Resourcing and Discovery to Ensure Health Equity
Dingle, G. A., Aggar, C., Arslanovski, N., Astell-Burt, T., Baker, J. R., Baxter, R., Bissett, M., Bowe, M., Brymer, E., Burton, A., Byng, R., Elston, J., Fancourt, D., Feng, X., Fino, E., Freak-Poli, R., Harkin, L., Hayes, D., Hazeldine, E. & Kellezi, B. & 9 others, , 24 Feb 2025, In: Health & Social Care in the Community. 2025, 1, 2650302.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile14 Downloads (Pure) -
Baseline assessments of research capacity, capability and culture in UK local authorities: reflections from evaluators embedded in Health Determinants Research Collaborations
Bell, L., Chapman, R., Ashton, C., Batey, C., Brazier, J., Castle, E., Chaggar, A., Elston, J., Esat, F., Simpkins, H. G., Ho, L., Quinn, C., Sheringham, J., Smeeth, D., Stylianou, I., Twite, S., Woodall, J. & Taylor, B., Dec 2025, In: Health Research Policy and Systems. 23, 1, 68.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
PEER CONNECT: an embedded qualitative study of the experiences of a peer well-being coaching intervention for people living with a long-term health condition
Dennett, R., Elston, J., Thompson, T. P., Clyne, W., Hosking, J., Bones, K., Davies-Cox, H. & Straukiene, A., 28 Nov 2025, In: BMJ Open. 15, 11, e102302.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure)