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Louise Thomson

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

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Biography

I am an Associate Professor in Occupational Psychology, HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist (PYL21388) and Chartered Psychologist. I studied Psychology at UCL before moving to Nottingham to complete a MSc in Occupational Psychology and a PhD on Employee Sickness Absence, later becoming a researcher and then a lecturer at the University.

In 2000, I joined the Institute for Employment Studies to pursue more policy-focused research, evaluation and consultancy work. I have worked as both a freelance consultant and employed researcher supporting the development of evidence-based practice and change in healthcare organisations. I became Head of Research Support and Evaluation at the Institute on Mental Health in 2014 before moving into my current academic role in 2018.

I am Course Director for the MSc in Occupational Psychology, the University's BPS-accredited Stage 1 post-graduate qualification required to become a Chartered Psychologist (Occupational) and HCPC-registered Occupational Psychologist. I am currently involved in a range of research projects in the area of mental well-being in the workplace, mental health inclusivity, and organisational change and development in healthcare organisations.

Expertise Summary

I am an Occupational Psychologist (CPsychol, HCPC-registered) specialising in psychological, social and organisational issues in occupational health, mental well-being at work, job retention and return-to-work. I have worked with NICE as a topic expert to develop guidance on return-to-work after long-term sickness absence (, published 2019) and mental well-being at work (, published 2022). I was a member of the British Psychological Society's Covid-19 Response 'Working Differently' working group, producing guidance on work-related matters during the pandemic. I have expertise in the implementation and evaluation of interventions and services in health and social care, with a particular focus on organisational change and the implementation and adoption of new working practices by health and social care staff.

Teaching Summary

I am Course Director for the MSc in Occupational Psychology, and module convener for Organisational Change and Development, Introduction to Research Methods and the Applied Research Project module on… read more

Research Summary

My research focuses on:

- mental health at work and the role of leadership, management and work design in work-related well-being

- the effectiveness of interventions in reducing sickness absence and improving job retention and return-to-work

- the implementation of evidence-based practice by health care professionals

- healthy and safe working conditions for healthcare staff and patients

I collaborate with a variety of academics, practitioners and stakeholders in my research, and value a multi-disciplinary approach in the research I do. My current work involves further development of the including commercialisation. I am working with colleagues in to support the implementation and evaluation of new interventions and pathways in CAMHS.

Active Research Grants:

  • Occupational Advice following Lower Limb Surgery (OPAL2). (Co-investigator). Funded by NIHR HTA, June 2022-Jan 2026.

  • Transforming Treatment Pathways for Young People with Tic Disorders: Delivering Scalable, Evidence-Based Digital Therapy (Co-investigator). Funded by NIHR i4i, December 2026-October 2028.

Recent Publications

  • DULAL-ARTHUR, T, HASSARD, J, BOURKE, J, WISHART, M, BARTLE, C, ROPER, S, BELT, V, LEKA, S, PAHL, N, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2025. Journal of Occupational and Organisational Psychology. 98(1), e12552
  • DULAL-ARTHUR, T, HASSARD, J, WANG, W, YARKER, J, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2025. Occupational Medicine. 75(3-4), 188-195
  • BLAKE, H, HASSARD, J, KARINIKA-MURRAY, M, CHOO, WH and THOMSON, L, 2025. Discover Public Health. 22, 657
  • SAYAL, K, WYATT, L, PARTLETT, C, EWART, C, BHARDWAJ, A, DUBICKA, B, MARSHALL, T, GLEDHILL, J, LANG, A, SPRANGE, K, THOMSON, L, MOODY, S, HOLT, G, BOULD, H, UPTON, C, KEANE, M, COX, E, JAMES, M and MONTGOMERY, A, 2025. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

I am Course Director for the MSc in Occupational Psychology, and module convener for Organisational Change and Development, Introduction to Research Methods and the Applied Research Project module on this course, as well as contributing to other modules. I also teach Consultancy Skills on the MSc Psychological Research Methods.

I am currently supervising four PhD students.

I also deliver a variety of learning and development sessions for staff including: peer mentoring, promoting mental wellbeing at work, using qualitative methods in RCTs.

Past Research

Recently completed research grants:

  • Improving Tic Services: A mixed-methods study to co-design a service model for children and young people with tic disorders (Co-investigator). Funded by NIHR RfPB, Nov 2023-March 2025.
  • Mental health and well-being practices, mental health and well-being outcomes and productivity: A causal analysis. (Nottingham Lead, WP5 Lead). Funded by ESRC, April 2022-Sept 2025.
  • Flourishing as clinical trial staff (FACTS) (Co-investigator). Funded by NIHR CTU Support Unit, Nov 2022-2023.
  • Managing Minds at Work: development and testing of line manager digital training (PI), part of the Mental Health and Productivity Pilots (Co-investigator). Funded by the Midlands Engine and Department for Work and Pensions, 2019-2024
  • STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties (STADIA trial) (Co-investigator, Qualitative Lead) Funded by NIHR HTA 2018-22.
  • Randomised double-blind controlled trial of connectivity guided theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation versus repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment resistant moderate to severe depression: evaluation of efficacy, cost effectiveness and mechanism of action. (Co-investigator, Qualitative Lead) Funded by NIHR EME, 2018-21
  • Well-being of the Workforce (WoW) 糖心原创 investigating how work and employment has changed because of COVID-19 and the impact on well-being
  • The Poppy Factory IPS Pilot for Wounded, Injured and Sick Veterans (Evaluation Lead) Funded by Forces in Mind Trust. 2019-22
  • Evaluating the Care Certificate: A Cross-Sector Solution to Assuring Fundamental Skills in Caring (Principal Investigator) Funded by DoH Policy Research Programme
  • Occupational Advice prior to lower limb joint replacement (Co-investigator) Funded by NIHR HTA
  • The development and testing of a communication skills training intervention for healthcare professionals caring for people with dementia in acute hospitals (Co-investigator). Funded by NIHR HS&DR
  • Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace: a feasibility study. (Co-investigator) Funded by IOSH
  • Implementation of Individual Placement and Support in the East Midlands (Lead). East Midlands AHSN
  • Dementia and Employment - Scoping Project (Co-investigator). Public Health England
  • The Impact of 12-hour shifts on Healthcare Assistants (Principal Investigator). Funded by NHS England
  • Getting the Best from the Fit Note (Co-Investigator). IOSH

Future Research

Over the next 12-months, I will be developing further research projects relating to the Managing Minds at Work intervention for line managers to promote mental health at work.

  • DULAL-ARTHUR, T, HASSARD, J, BOURKE, J, WISHART, M, BARTLE, C, ROPER, S, BELT, V, LEKA, S, PAHL, N, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2025. Journal of Occupational and Organisational Psychology. 98(1), e12552
  • DULAL-ARTHUR, T, HASSARD, J, WANG, W, YARKER, J, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2025. Occupational Medicine. 75(3-4), 188-195
  • BLAKE, H, HASSARD, J, KARINIKA-MURRAY, M, CHOO, WH and THOMSON, L, 2025. Discover Public Health. 22, 657
  • SAYAL, K, WYATT, L, PARTLETT, C, EWART, C, BHARDWAJ, A, DUBICKA, B, MARSHALL, T, GLEDHILL, J, LANG, A, SPRANGE, K, THOMSON, L, MOODY, S, HOLT, G, BOULD, H, UPTON, C, KEANE, M, COX, E, JAMES, M and MONTGOMERY, A, 2025. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
  • WEBSTER, L, BOUTRY, C, THOMSON, L and MORRISS, M, 2025. Comprehensive Psychiatry.
  • THOMSON, L, NEWMAN, K, EWART, C, BHARDWAJ, A, DUBICKA, B, MARSHALL, T and SAYAL, K, 2025. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
  • BOUTRY, C, WEBSTER, L, THOMSON, L and MORRISS, R, 2025. BMC Psychiatry.
  • RATTU, N, HALL, S, HALL, C, MURPHY, T, KILGARIFF, J, JAMES, N, MCNALLY, E, JEAYES, A, KHAN, K, RIMMER, S, THOMSON, L and GROOM, M, 2025. BMJ Mental Health.
  • HASSARD, J, BLAKE, H, DULAL-ARTHUR, T, FROST, A, BARTLE, C, YARKER, J, MUNIR, F, VAUGHAN, B, DALY, G, MEYER, C, RUSSELL, S and THOMSON, L, 2025. JMIR Mental Health.
  • HALL, S, RIGA, E, MITCHELL, E, THOMSON, L, TAYLOR, J, CARR, L, HAGAN, P and SPRANGE, K, 2025. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications.
  • SAYAL, K, WYATT, L, THOMSON, L, HOLT, G, EWART, C, BHARDWAJ, A, DUBICKA, B, MARSHALL, T, GLEDHILL, J, LANG, A, SPRANGE, K, PARTLETT, C, NEWMAN, K, MOODY, S, BOULD, H, UPTON, C, KEANE, M, COX, E, JAMES, M and MONTGOMERY, A, 2025. Health Technology Assessment.
  • PRUDENZI, A, GILL, K, MACARTHUR, M, HASTINGS, O, MOUKHTARIAN, T, JADHAKHAN, F, PATEL, K, KERSHAW, C, NORTON-BROWN, E, JOHNSTON, N, DALY, G, RUSSELL, S, THOMSON, L, MUNIR, F, BLAKE, H, MEYER, C and MARWAHA, S, 2024. Journal of Contextual Behavioural Science. 31, 100720
  • HASSARD, J, YILDIRIM, M, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2024. British Medical Bulletin. ldae004
  • BLAKE, H, HASSARD, J, DULAL-ARTHUR, T, WISHART, M, ROPER, S, BOURKE, J, BELT, V, BARTLE, C, LEKA, S, PAHL, N and THOMSON, L, 2024. Occupational Medicine. 74(3), 242-250
  • DULAL-ARTHUR, T, HASSARD, J, BOURKE, J, ROPER, S, WISHART, M, BELT, V, BARTLE, C, LEKA, S, PAHL, N, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2024. Occupational Medicine. kqae051: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae051
  • HASSARD, J, DULAL-ARTHUR, T, BOURKE, J, WISHART, M, ROPER, S, BELT, V, LEKA, S, PAHL, N, BARTLE, C, THOMSON, L and BLAKE, H, 2024. PLoS ONE. 19(7), e0306065
  • BLAKE, H, HASSARD, J, THOMSON, L, CHOO, WH, DULAL-ARTHUR, T, KARINIKA-MURRAY, M, DELIC, L, PICKFORD, R and RUDKIN, L, 2024. PLoS ONE. 20(1), e0312673
  • NEWMAN, K, SAYAL, K, EWART, C, LANG, A, BHARDWAJ, A, DUBICKA, B, MARSHALL, T and THOMSON, L, 2024. Social Science and Medicine 鈥� Mental Health.
  • SHEEHAN, L, WOODWARD, A, ARCHER, M, JORDAN, C, MAITLAND, M, ADAMSON, J, DRUMMOND, A, HEWISON, A, KEDING, C, KOTTAM, L, MADAN, I, THOMSON, L and BAKER, P, 2024. BMJ Open.
  • DE DIOS PEREZ, B, MCQUEEN, J, CRAVEN, K, RADFORD, K, BLAKE, H, SMITH, B, THOMSON, L and HOLMES, J, 2023. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. doi:10.1177/03080226231170996
  • THOMSON, L, HASSARD, J, FROST, A, BARTLE, C, YARKER, J, MUNIR, F, KNELLER, R, MARWAHA, S, DALY, G, RUSSELL, S, MEYER, C, VAUGHAN, B, NEWMAN, K and BLAKE, H, 2023. JMIR Research Protocols. 12, e48758
  • VARELA-MATO, V, BLAKE, H, YARKER, J, GODFREE, K, DALY, G, HASSARD, J, MEYER, C, KERSHAW, C, MARWAHA, S, NEWMAN, K, RUSSELL, S, THOMSON, L and MUNIR, F, 2023. BMC Health Services Research. 23, 942
  • BLAKE, H, HASSARD, J, BARTLE, C and THOMSON, L, 2023. Perspectives in Public Health. 143(3), 124-125
  • HASSARD, J, WANG, W, DELIC, L, GRUDYTE, I, DALE-HEWITT, V and THOMSON, L, 2023. International Journal of Workplace Health Management.
  • AL SHAMSI, A., SANTOS, A. and THOMSON, L., 2022. Frontiers in Health Services. 2,
  • DAY, F., WYATT, L., BHARDWAJ, A., DUBICKA, B., EWART, C., GLEDHILL, J., JAMES, M., LANG, A., MARSHALL, T., MONTGOMERY, A., REYNOLDS, S., SPRANGE, K., THOMSON, L., BRADLEY, E., LATHE, J., NEWMAN, K., PARTLETT, C., STARR, K. and SAYAL, K., 2022. BMJ Open. (In Press.)
  • BLAKE, H, VAUGHAN, B, BARTLE, C, YARKER, J, MUNIR, F, MARWAHA, S, DALY, G, RUSSELL, S, MEYER, C, HASSARD, J and THOMSON, L, 2022. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(13), 8006
  • QUEK, S. J., THOMSON, L., HOUGHTON, R., BRAMLEY, L., DAVIS, S. and COOPER, J., 2021. Journal of Nursing Management. 29(6), 1544-1553
  • HASSARD, J., TEOH, K. and THOMSON, L., 2021. . In: T. WALL and C. COOPER, eds., The SAGE Handbook of Organisational Wellbeing Sage.
  • ALSHAMSI, A., THOMSON, L. and SANTOS, A., 2020. Frontiers in Psychology. 11, 1614
  • NARAYANASAMY, M., THOMSON, L., COOLE, C, NOURI, F., NOURI, F. and DRUMMOND, A., 2020. The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice.
  • WILLIAMS, M., THOMSON, L., BUTCHER, E., MORRISS, R., KHUNTI, K. and PACKHAM, C., 2020. Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England).
  • BAKER, P., COOLE, C., DRUMMOND, A., KHAN, S., MCDAID, C., HEWITT, C., KOTTAM, L., RONALDSON, S., COLEMAN, E., MCDONALD, D., NOURI, F., NARAYANASAMY, M., MCNAMARA, I., FITCH, J., THOMSON, L., RICHARDSON, G. and RANGAN, A., 2020. HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT. 24(45), 1-+
  • KHALIFA, NAJAT, HADFIELD, SARAH, THOMSON, LOUISE, TALBOT, EMILY, BIRD, YVONNE, SCHNEIDER, JUSTINE, ATTFIELD, JULIE, VOELLM, BIRGIT, BATES, PETER and WALKER, DAWN-MARIE, 2020. BRITISH JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. 83(3), 179-190
  • MORRISS, R., AUER, D., IWABUCHI, S., LIDDLE, P., BATES, P., KHALIFA, N., JAMES, M., THOMSON, L., KERR, A., ABDELGHANI, M., MCALLISTER-WILLIAMS, H., BLAMIRE, A., BROOKES, C. and WALTERS, Y., 2019. Journal of Affective Disorders. 254, 130
  • TANG, N. and THOMSON, L., 2019. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16,
  • O'BRIEN, R, GOLDBERG, SE, PILNICK, A., BEEKE, S., SCHNEIDER, J., SARTAIN, K., THOMSON, L., MURRAY, M., BAXENDALE, B. and HARWOOD, RH., 2018. PLOS ONE.
  • THOMSON, L, BARKER, M, KAYLOR-HUGHES, C, GARLAND, A, RAMANA, R, MORRISS, R, HAMMOND, E, HOPKINS, G and SIMPSON, S, 2018. BMC Psychiatry. 18, 194
  • BAKER, P., COOLE, C., DRUMMOND, A., KHAN, S., THOMSON, L., MCNAMARA, I., MCDONALD, D., FITCH, J. and RANGAN, A., 2018. BMC Health Services Research. 18, 504
  • HARWOOD. R.H., O'BRIEN, R., GOLDBERG, S., ALLWOOD, R., PILNICK, A., BEEKE, S., THOMSON, L., MURRAY, M., PARRY, R., KEARNEY, F., BAXENDALE, B. and SARTAIN, K., 2018. Health Services and Delivery Research. 6(41), 1-166
  • ANNESLY, P., DAVISON, L., COLLEY, C., GILLEY, E. and THOMSON, L., 2017. Journal of Forensic Practice. 19(1), 59-76
  • THOMSON, L., SCHNEIDER, J. and HARE DUKE, L., 2017. Journal of Nursing Management. 25(7), 531-538
  • ARGYLE, E., THOMSON, L., ARTHUR, A., MABEN, J., SCHNEIDER, J. and HEATHER WHARRAD, 2017. Dementia: the international journal of social research and practice.. (In Press.)
  • KATIE TURNER, LYDIA BULLOCK, KATIE BROWN, KARON FOULKES and LOUISE THOMSON, 2016. Journal of Health Visiting. 4(11), 572-578
  • COOLE, CAROL, NOURI, FIONA, POTGIETER, ISKRA, WATSON, PAUL J., THOMSON, LOUISE, HAMPTON, ROB and DRUMMOND, AVRIL, 2015. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE. 16,
  • GILBERT, J., STUBBS, R. J., GALE, C., GILBERT, P., DUNK, L. and THOMSON, L., 2014. Journal of Compassionate Health Care. 1(9),
  • THOMSON, L., SCHNEIDER, J. and WRIGHT, N., 2013. Leadership in Health Services. 26(1), 2
  • COOLE, C., WATSON, P.J., THOMSON, L. and HAMPTON, R., 2013. Occupational Medicine.
  • THOMSON, L., 2013. Employment and Mental Health: Theories of Gaining and Maintaining Work.. In: T. STICKLEY and N. WRIGHT, eds., Theories of Mental Health Nursing Sage.
  • THOMSON, L and HAMPTON, R, 2012. British Journal Of General Practice. 62(595), 102-104
  • THOMSON, L. and RICK, J., 2008. . In: A. KINDER, R. HUGHES and C. COOPER, eds., Employee Well-being Support: A Workplace Resource. Wiley & Sons.
  • THOMSON, L, 2007. Measuring, Reporting and Costing Absence. In: E. DONALDSON-FEILDER, ed., Well-being and Performance CIPD.
  • THOMSON, L., 2007. Exploring the Causes of Employee Absence. In: E. DONALDSON-FEILDER, ed., Well-being and Performance. CIPD.
  • THOMSON, L., 2007. Absence and Attendance Management. In: E. DONALDSON-FEILDER, ed., Well-being and Performance CIPD.
  • COX, T, OLIVER, A, RIAL-GONZALEZ, E, TOMAS, JM, GRIFFITHS, A and THOMSON, L, 2006. Spanish Journal Of Psychology. 9(1), 94-102
  • KIVIM脛KI, M., VAHTERA, J., PENTTI, J., THOMSON, L., GRIFFITHS, A. and COX, T., 2001. Anxiety, Stress & Coping. 14(1), 59-73
  • THOMSON, L. and COX, T., 2001. Organizational healthiness, work-related stress and employee health.. In: P. DEWE, M. LEITER and T. COX, eds., Coping, Health & Organizations. Taylor & Francis. 173-190
  • THOMSON, L, GRIFFITHS, A.J and AND DAVISON, S., 2000. Work & Stress. 14, 16-24
  • KIVIMAKI, M., VAHTERA, J., GRIFFITHS, A., COX, T. and THOMSON, L., 2000. Sickness absence and organizational downsizing.. In: R. BURKE and C. COOPER, eds., The Organisation in Crisis: Downsizing, Restructuring and Privatisation Blackwell. 78-94
  • FURNHAM, A. and THOMSON, L.E., 1999. Sex Roles. 40((1/2)), 153-165
  • THOMSON, L., COX, T. and GRIFFITHS, A., 1998. the assessment and management of work-related stress in prison staff Prison Service Journal. 118, 16-20.
  • KIVIMAKI, M., VAHTERA, J., THOMSON, L., GRIFFITHS, A., COX, T. and PENTTI, J., 1997. Journal of Applied Psychology. 82(6), 858-872
  • KIVIMAEKI, M., KUK, G., ELOVAINIO, M., THOMSON, L., KALLIOMAEKI-LEVANTO, T. and HEIKKILAE, A., 1997. The Team Climate Inventory (TCI) - four or five factors? Testing the structure of TCI in samples of low anti high complexity jobs Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. VOL 70(NUMBER 4), 375-390
  • FURNHAM, A. and THOMSON, L., 1996. Social Science & Medicine. 43, 29-40

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