Carol Gray Brunton
Carol Gray Brunton

Dr Carol Gray Brunton BA (Hons) MSc PhD CPsychol AFBPsS FHEA

Lecturer

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Health and Social Care Sciences. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (highest standards of knowledge and experience in the field of psychology). I have strong theoretical knowledge and skills around applying behavioural, psychological and social sciences to health. My work and subject expertise has attracted local, national and international attention through my conferences, speaker invites, international symposia, and as visiting scholar.

I am a specialist methodologist with wide expertise in Qualitative research and evaluation (discourse analysis; thematic analysis; IPA; grounded theory; thematic synthesis for evidence synthesis).

I am a member of various BPS associated groups including the Division of Academics, Teachers and Researchers in Psychology; Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section; Division of Health Psychology. I am a member of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP); European Qualitative Methods in Psychology Society (EQUIP); British Psycho-Oncology Society; Behavioural Research UK (BR-UK) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

My research interests and expertise are focused on working with hard-to-reach, vulnerable groups using behavioural, psychological and science theories especially for public health issues including:
1) Leading the Vaccine Hesitancy and Confidence Research programme over the past 12 years in SHSC
2) Qualitative Research and Evaluation
3) Professional roles and service evaluation
4) Psycho-oncology for rare cancers


I previously worked as a postdoctoral research fellow for 5 years at ENU in cancer and public health where I developed my own interests/expertise in vaccine uptake and confidence/hesitancy on a range of childhood vaccines e.g. for MMR, HPV, H1N1 and for COVID-19 vaccine amongst Health & Social Care professionals during the pandemic. I worked as a research assistant for QMU and taught widely in psychology. I have previously worked as a psychology research assistant in the NHS on a range of research projects. I have been involved in service evaluation and consultancy for the NHS and charitable sector (Attention Fife, Macmillan Cancer Support). I worked at the Open University teaching Social Psychology.

I have over 15 years' experience of working in Higher Education and have taught widely across undergraduate and postgraduate provision for Nursing (all branches), Psychology and Business school students. I have taught at ENU, Queen Margaret University and the Open University.

During 2019-2022 I was the School Research Degrees Lead for over 50 research degrees students in the SHSC. I lead and monitored the development and overall progress for students and provided support for supervisors.

I have presented widely at national and international conferences. I am active in pursuing research funding and in publishing in peer-reviewed journals. I have been sought out to join funding bids/collaborations as a result of my expertise on large and international bids. I have been successful as PI or main contributor for bodies including Carnegie University Trust, Macmillan, Royal Society for Edinburgh.

I have successfully supervised PhD students (four completions - one of these subject to revisions). I have chaired two Vivas and am an independent panel chair for two students.
I am open to supervising new PhD students and MRes in vaccine hesitancy/confidence and other areas within my expertise.

Themes

Research Areas

News

Esteem

Advisory panels and expert committees or witness

  • Invited member Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Research, Insights and Evaluation Group : ENU Lead
  • Scottish Government Cross Party Group for Cancer
  • Scottish HPV Investigators Meeting (SHINE)
  • Behavioural Research UK
  • UK HPV Behavioural Science Special Interest Group

 

Conference Organising Activity

  • KE: Research Symposium Organiser: Addressing suboptimal uptake rates of the HPV vaccine amongst boys/young men; 5 June ENU
  • PGR Lead for SHSC PGR Conference Organising Committee with PGR Reps and team , 2 June
  • Invited, Organised and Chaired a number of external and internal guest speakers for PGR seminar series (online) e.g . methodological focus on IPA; Realist evaluation n
  • International Symposium Organiser: Young men's constructions of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine from an International perspective: Gareth Treharne, Carol Gray Brunton and Irina Todorova; 9th Biennial International Society for Critical Health Psychology 2015, Grahamstown, South Africa
  • Symposium Organiser for ENU contribution: Whittaker, A., Carnegie, E., Todorova, I., & Gray Brunton, C. (2015, July). Young men’s constructions of the HPV vaccine from the United States: ‘It’s optional but not crucial to health’. Symposium presentation at 9th Biennial International Society of Critical Health Psychology Grahamstown, South Africa
  • Symposium Organiser for ENU contribution: Carnegie, E., Whittaker, A., Gray Brunton, C., Gullone, A., Pow, J., Petrova, D., & Garcia-Retamero, R. (2015, July). ‘I didn’t think men were affected’: Scottish and Spanish men’s constructions of risks, responsibilities and knowledge in relation to the HPV vaccine. Symposium presentation at 9th Biennial International Society of Critical Health Psychology Conference, Grahamstown, South Africa.
  • Organising Committee Member and Chair for the Nursing and Healthcare Seminar Series with NHS Lothian, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University.
  • Symposium Organiser for ENU contribution: Gray, C., Hogg, R & Kennedy, C (2012). Health literacy and empowerment in child and adolescent vaccination: A qualitative study focusing on the MMR, H1N1 and HPV vaccines. Symposium presentation on Beliefs, Attitudes and dilemmas about Vaccination in a Cross-Cultural Perspective at the 26th European Health Psychology Society Conference, 21-25 August, Prague.
  • Symposium Organiser for ENU contribution : Petrova, D., Gray, C., Farver, I., Jaeger, M., Lenneis, A., Parve, K., Patarcic, D., Hogg, R., Todorova, I. & Kennedy, C (2012). Young women’s experiences of the HPV vaccine: A Qualitative, Cross-Cultural Study in Scotland, Serbia, Spain and Bulgaria. Symposium presentation on Beliefs, Attitudes and dilemmas about Vaccination in a Cross-Cultural Perspective at the 26th European Health Psychology Society Conference, 21-25 August, Prague.

 

Fellowships and Awards

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Chartered Status CPsychol (British Psychological Society)
  • Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)

 

Grant Reviewer

  • Reviewer for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Partnership (2017); NIHR (qualitative research and Methodologist incubator) since 2024; Lead reviewer for ENU PGR Proposals for Funding (2019-2022).

 

Invited Speaker

  • Invited speaker: Vaccine hesitancy research expertise; Health Services Executive, National Immunisation Office, Dublin, Ireland; 3 March 2025
  • KE Symposium talk: Young men's preferences for the HPV vaccine: a cross-cultural, qualitative analysis in Scotland, Spain and the United States, 5 June 2024, ENU.
  • Conference talk: Gray Brunton, C, Vaccine hesitancy and the role of qualitative research in behaviour change: a Scottish case study exploring Covid-19 vaccine concerns amongst nurses and other care staff. 2nd Conference of the Association of European Researchers in Psychology, Milan, 26-28 June, 2024
  • Invited speaker: Nursing Conversations (You tube): Vaccine hesitancy amongst health and social care professionals; University of Worcester
  • Conference talk: Gray Bunton, C. (2021, 21-25 August). Vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccination and healthcare workers. Snapshots Symposium: Photo-essay Paper presented at International Society of Critical Health Psychology 12th Binennial Conference, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand (online)
  • Conference talk: Gray Brunton, C., & Carnegie, E. (2017, July). Media and Social Media representations of the HPV vaccine. Paper (Pecha Kucha) presented at 10th Biennial International Society for Critical Health Psychology Conference, Loughborough
  • Conference talk: Gray Brunton, C., Carnegie, E., Whittaker, A., Kennedy, C., Hogg, R., Harding, S., …Willis, D. (2016, August). Young men with intellectual disabilities, the HPV vaccine, and constructions of sexual health risk. Paper presented at The 30th joint European Health Psychology Society Conference/British Psychology Society Division of Health Psychology
  • Poster talk: Gray Brunton, C., Carnegie, E., Whittaker, A., & Todorova, I. (2016, August). Critical discursive psychology as methodology for exploring ambivalence around the HPV vaccine amongst marginalised groups. Poster presented at The 30th joint European Health Psychology Society Conference/British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology
  • Invited Keynote: Psychosocial constructions of the HPV vaccine amongst young women in Scotland, Spain, Serbia and Bulgaria. 26th September, 2014; Global Health Department and Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston.
  • Invited Seminar: The assessment of vulnerability for public health nurses: Mothers and health visitors’ perspectives, with a focus on the Lothian Child Concern Model. Joint Edinburgh Napier University, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care / University of Edinburgh, School of Health in Social Sciences/QMU/NHS Lothian Research Seminar Series , 13th January 2013, NHS Lothian., Waverley Gate
  • Regular contributor to SHSC PGR Seminar Series on Qualitative Research: theories and approaches; methods; practical workshops
  • Conference talk: Gray, C., McIntosh, P. & Kennedy, C. (2011). More than just a jag? The delivery of childhood vaccinations as an interpersonal over a technical skill. Roundtable discussion at the 2nd International Conference on Compassionate Care, June, Edinburgh
  • Conference talk: Gray, C. & Kennedy, C. (2011). The complexities of trust in the delivery of childhood vaccines in Scotland: A qualitative study. Paper presentation at the 25th European Health Psychology Society Conference; 20-24 Sep; Crete
  • Conference talk: Gray, C. & Kennedy, C. (2010). The discursive construction of risk and responsibility in childhood vaccinations: A qualitative study of parental talk in Scotland. Paper presentation at the 24th European Health Psychology Society Conference; 1-4 Sep; Cluj, Romania
  • Poster presentation: Kennedy, C., Gray, C., McIntosh, P., Craig, A., Rust, S. & Harden, J. (2010). Exploring stakeholder views for the MMR and HPV vaccines: A qualitative study in progress. Poster presentation to the Lothian NMAHP Research Framework and Clinical Academic Research Careers Scheme and Edinburgh Health Services Research Unit Launch, 6 May 2010. Edinburgh: Queen’s Medical Institute
  • Conference talk: Gray, C., Kennedy, C., McIntosh, P., & Hogg, R. (2010) Exploring stakeholder experiences for the MMR and HPV Vaccines: A Qualitative Study in Progress. Oral presentation to the Scottish School of Primary Care Conference; 27-28 April; Crieff, UK
  • Invited Seminar: Exploring Stakeholder views for the MMR and HPV Vaccines: A Qualitative Study in Progress. Joint Edinburgh Napier University, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care / University of Edinburgh, School of Health in Social Sciences Research Seminar Series/QMU/NHS Lothian, 24 June 2010., Edinburgh Napier University
  • Seminar: Parental talk about Ritalin for Childhood ADHD: A Discourse Analysis. Edinburgh Napier University, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care Research Seminar Series, 29th January 2009
  • Conference talk: Gray, C. (2008). Negotiating the 'good parent': Parental talk about their child's ADHD diagnosis. Paper Presented at the 22nd Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society/11th Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology, 9-12 September, Bath, UK.
  • Conference talk: Gray, C. (2007). Parent's experiences of their child's ADHD: A Critical Review. Poster Presentation at the 21st Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, 15-18 August, Maastricht, Netherlands.

 

Media Activity

  • Evidence Based Nursing Journal Blog: COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: the role of Nurses and other Health and Social Care Professionals in Vaccine Concerns
  • Exploring Vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 amongst the Scottish health force - School of Health and Social Care

 

Membership of Professional Body

  • British Psycho-Oncology Society (BPOS)
  • European Qualitative Methods in Psychology Society (EQUIP)
  • Division of Health Psychology
  • Division of Teachers, Academics and Researchers in Psychology (BPS)
  • Chartered Psychologist (BPS)
  • Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section (BPS)
  • International Society for Critical Health Psychology Society Member

 

Public/Community Engagement

  • Illustrating the impact of district nursing teams on patients, carers, families and communitities to shape local services: findings from Bruce Harper-Ovstebo PhD thesis
  • Covid vaccination: the views of the public and health and social care professionals
  • A Workshop with young people, their significant others and health professionals for findings from Wendy McInally's PhD thesis
  • The Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: The voices of young people with learning disabilities; and Black, Asian, Minority ethnic background

 

Reviewing

  • Reviewer: technical report for University of Otago, New Zealand for postgraduate students, government and international audience at ISCHP conference
  • Expert User reviewer for criteria used to evaluate qualitative research; Health Psychology Research Team, University of Lausanne
  • Active peer reviewer for a number of journals including: Journal of Clinical Nursing; Health; Sociology of Health & Illness; Qualitative Health Research; Psycho-Oncology; Journal of Advanced Nursing; Psychology and Health; BMC Public Health ; PLOS One; Health Psychology Open

 

Visiting Positions

  • Visiting Scholar Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, US; 7 Sep - 3 Oct 2014
  • Visiting Research Supervisor, Junior Researcher Programme EFPSA Summer School, University of Cambridge,
  • Visiting Scholar to Health Psychology Research Centre, Sofia, Bulgaria; 23-30 April 2012.
  • Visiting Research Supervisor, European Federation of Psychology Students,23-31 July 2011, Balaton, Hungary; travel bursary £300

 

Date


53 results

Young men with intellectual disabilities’ perceptions of HPV and HPV vaccine: A qualitative study on how to communicate HPV vaccine information

Journal Article
Carnegie, E., Gray-Brunton, C., Kennedy, C., Pow, J., Willis, D., & Whittaker, A. (2025)
Young men with intellectual disabilities’ perceptions of HPV and HPV vaccine: A qualitative study on how to communicate HPV vaccine information. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 21(1), Article 2491857. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.2491857
The success of vaccination programs relies on acceptance of recommended vaccines by communities and individuals. There is a paucity of evidence regarding how young men with in...

A systematic review and thematic synthesis exploring how gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience HPV and HPV vaccination

Journal Article
Pow, J., Clarke, L., McHale, S., & Gray-Brunton, C. (2025)
A systematic review and thematic synthesis exploring how gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience HPV and HPV vaccination. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 21(1), Article 2490440. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.2490440
There are suboptimal levels of HPV vaccine uptake among gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM), despite the prevalence and incidence rates of HPV infection among ...

Qualitative Systematic Review with Thematic Synthesis on Ethnic Chinese Informal Migrant Caregivers’ Experiences in Caring for Someone with Cancer

Presentation / Conference Contribution
Mengxue, X., O'Leary, L., & Gray Brunton, C. (2025, April)
Qualitative Systematic Review with Thematic Synthesis on Ethnic Chinese Informal Migrant Caregivers’ Experiences in Caring for Someone with Cancer. Presented at Cancer in Primary Care Research International (Ca-PRI) Conference, Manchester
Background: With advancements in cancer detection and treatment, survivorship rates are increasing worldwide. This shift has extended the role of informal caregivers—family me...

Commentary and methodological insights: Reaching girls/women, boys/men and vulnerable groups to maximise uptake for the Human papillomavirus vaccine

Journal Article
Gray Brunton, C., Pow, J., Carnegie, E., Petrova, D., Garcia Retamero, R., Whittaker, A., & Todorova, I. (2025)
Commentary and methodological insights: Reaching girls/women, boys/men and vulnerable groups to maximise uptake for the Human papillomavirus vaccine. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 21(1), Article 2478705. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.2478705
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been shown to be an effective cancer-prevention vaccine against oncogenic types of the HPV virus implicated in cervical, anogenital,...

STEAM for generating collaborative, creative, inclusive approaches to immunisation awareness

Presentation / Conference
Healy, C., Macdonald, I., Firth, R., Gray-Brunton, C., Wimbish, D., & Malone, E. (2024, April)
STEAM for generating collaborative, creative, inclusive approaches to immunisation awareness. Presented at ESAI Conference 2024, Maynooth University, Ireland

Exploring Vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 amongst Health and Social Care Professionals/Students: an Exploratory Study

Report
Gray Brunton, C., & Anderson, L. Exploring Vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 amongst Health and Social Care Professionals/Students: an Exploratory Study. Royal Society of Edinburgh

)
Gray Brunton, C., & Anderson, L. Exploring Vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 amongst Health and Social Care Professionals/Students: an Exploratory Study. Royal Society of Edinburgh

Supporting and harnessing the reflections of a trans-disciplinary academic team to power HPV education by STEAM

Presentation / Conference
Healy, C., Macdonald, I., Firth, R., Gray Brunton, C., & Malone, E. (2023, March)
Supporting and harnessing the reflections of a trans-disciplinary academic team to power HPV education by STEAM. Presented at Education Studies Association Ireland 2023, Belfast

Vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccination and healthcare workers

Presentation / Conference
Gray Bunton, C. (2021, August)
Vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccination and healthcare workers. Paper presented at International Society of Critical Health Psychology 12th Binennial Conference, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Vaccine ‘hesitancy’, seen as delays or refusals, are a serious public health issue. The global pandemic with COVID-19 and high mortality rates have made vaccination a priority...

Life Interrupted: Experiences of adolescents, young adults and their family living with malignant melanoma

Journal Article
McInally, W., Gray‐Brunton, C., Chouliara, Z., & Kyle, R. G. (2021)
Life Interrupted: Experiences of adolescents, young adults and their family living with malignant melanoma. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(9), 3867-3879. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14959
Aim Melanoma is one of the most common human malignancies; yet, it is often thought of as a disease of adulthood rather than one affecting adolescents and young adults. This s...

Research made simple: using multiperspective interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore healthcare phenomena

Journal Article
McInally, W., & Gray-Brunton, C. (2021)
Research made simple: using multiperspective interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore healthcare phenomena. Evidence-Based Nursing, 24(3), 71-73. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103428

Pre-Napier Funded Projects

  • Gray, C. (2007). Parent’s experiences with the services of a holistic charity for children’s attentional difficulties: a Qualitative Evaluation. Report for ATTENTION Fife; Kirkcaldy, June
  • Older men’s talk about health, ill health and help-seeking behaviour; Queen Margaret University.
  • Gray, C. & Schwannauer, M. (2004). Audit and Evaluation of the NW Edinburgh ADHD Project: A Multi-Agency Approach. Report for NHS Lothian

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