Dr Leah Quinlivan is a Research Fellow and Chartered Psychologist at the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (NIHR GM PSRC) in the University of Manchester. She leads the self-harm research component and the involvement and engagement work for self-harm and suicide prevention in the NIHR GM PSRC and Centre for Mental Health and Safety. Over the next two years, Leah is also a risk assessment delivery lead for the Culture of Care Programme, which is part of NHS England’s Quality Improvement Programme for inpatient care. Previously, she was an expert content advisor for the NHS England funded programmes to improve community-based services for self-harm and the CQUIN for psychosocial assessments.

Prior to joining the University of Manchester, Leah conducted extensive mixed-methods research (quantitative, qualitative, co-design, and participatory research methods) on sensitive topics in Ireland, including with patients who have attempted suicide, families and significant others bereaved by suicide, patients with severe and enduring mental health issues, and people with intellectual disabilities. Her PhD in Public Health and Population Science from University College Dublin, was a mixed-method investigation of psychological models of suicidal behaviour in psychiatric outpatients. Prior to academic research, she worked in mental health care for people with chronic and enduring psychosis and/or bipolar disorder.

For over a decade, Leah has managed and delivered large and complex National Institute of Applied Research (NIHR) funded programmes of work on improving hospital services for people who have harmed themselves. Her research is focussed on the diagnostic accuracy of risk scales, psychosocial assessment, psychological services, and improving patient safety for people who present to hospital with self-harm. She works closely with patients, clinicians, health services, and third sector partners to translate research evidence to clinical practice.