Helen McGregor

As CHSS PPIE and Communications Coordinator, I work with the Patient Experience and Public Involvement Lead and team to implement PPI strategy and support our Public Group, Opening Doors to Research. I am also responsible for producing CHSS’ quarterly newsletters, news blogs and maintaining web and social media content. I joined CHSS in 2007 as bilingual administrator on an Interreg-funded Anglo-French public health project.

I was Coordinator of the SSPSSR Staff Ethics Committee for several years. After the 2020 University Professional Services reorganisation, I spent six months as Administrator to the LSSJ Divisional Research and Innovation Team, before moving back to CHSS in May 2021 for my current CHSS role.

As NIHR Research Design Service South East Communications and Support Officer since 2012, I have helped develop and implement Communications and Marketing Strategy, also supporting our events and outreach activity. I produce the Annual RDS SE Newsletter and monthly e-bulletin for NHS and social care researchers. I co-manage the website and publicity materials. I support RDS SE Kent Advisers and work collaboratively with RDS teams at the Universities of Surrey and Brighton.

I left Cumbria for London in the 1980s. I have worked for a range of organisations including Lloyds Bank, Heinemann Medical Publishers, UNITE the Union and Relate Relationship Counselling.

In 1990 I studied for a Ruskin College (Oxford) Diploma (Dist) in Social Science. In 1994, I graduated with a 2:1 BA in Human Resource Management from the University of Kent. In also have a Canterbury Christchurch University Diploma in European Business and French. I joined CHSS after studying while raising children and working part-time.

I am an active NIHR PPI contributor and was formerly a public member of the NIHR Public Health Research Programme Advisory Board. Outside work I enjoy acting with the University of Kent Players, quizzes and singing in a Covers band.