Dr. Liz Brewster, BA (Hons.), MA, MA, PhD.
Research Associate
Address:
ScHARR
University of Sheffield
30 Regent Court
Regent Street
Sheffield S1 4DA
Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 8278
Fax: (+44) (0)114 272 4095
Email:l.brewster@sheffield.ac.uk
Office: 1.06, 1st Floor, The Innovation Centre
Biography
I joined ScHARR in August 2011, while completing my PhD in the Information School at the University of Sheffield. My PhD is an investigation of experiences of reading for mental health and well-being and their relation to models of bibliotherapy.
The thesis has a dual research design, firstly critically analysing the emergence of the main models of bibliotherapy in the UK using an Actor-Network Theory framework, and then using qualitative, ethnographic techniques to investigate the experiences of people with mental health problems who use bibliotherapy.
I am currently employed as a Research Associate on the Assisted Living Innovation Platform (ALIP) programme, looking at overcoming barriers to mainstreaming Assisted Living Technologies.
I am also currently the HSR representative on the ScHARR-wide seminar series team.
Research Interests
My research interests include: mental health; the self-management of long-term conditions; health care policy and its translation into practice; and understanding experiences of long-term health conditions.
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests are: bibliotherapy; mental health; NHS policy and structure; consumer health information; health informatics; and qualitative research methods.
Professional activities
- Reviewer, Health & Social Care in the Community and Health Information and Libraries Journal
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
Current projects
- Overcoming barriers to mainstreaming Assisted Living Technologies (ALTs). ESRC and TSB ALIP programme (Research Associate).
The project aims to work with commissioners, health care practitioners, providers, end users of service and their carers to understand barriers to adoption and introduce and evaluate interventions to try and overcome them.
Key publications
- Brewster, L, Sen, B, and Cox, A (2012). 'Legitimising bibliotherapy: evidence-based discourses in healthcare.' Journal of Documentation. 68 (2)
- Brewster, L and Sen, B (2011) ‘Quality signposting’: the role of online information prescription in providing patient information. Health Information and Libraries Journal. 28(1) 59-67.
- Brewster, L (2009) 'Books on Prescription: bibliotherapy in the UK.' Journal of Hospital Librarianship. 9(4) 399-407.
Section
Liz is based in Health Services Research, ScHARR (Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Group).