Ms Jenny Shepherd BSc, MSc

Ms Jenny Shepherd

Department of Applied Health Sciences
Honorary Research Fellow

Contact details

Address
Institute of Applied Health Research
Murray Learning Centre
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

After a number of years as a Market Researcher in the private sector, Jenny has spent the last ten years in public sector research roles, latterly as a public health research specialist. Her current role as Knowledge Exchange Facilitator combines working in a local authority public health information team, with researching epidemiology and health geography in the Institute of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham.

Jenny is currently involved in some interesting research projects at the University including the development of a remote health surveillance methodology to identify environmental risk to health and wellbeing (including poor housing, lack of green space and air pollution). Previous work has included the preparation of a Census Atlas for Worcestershire using housing and health variables from the 2011 census mapped to local geographies in the county. One of the main aims of this piece of work was to make better use of the wealth of information which the Census provides.     

An interest in botany and horticulture combined with public health knowledge and responsibilities has seen Jenny involved with the new Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) at the university; a multimillion pound, long term experiment investigating the impact of climate change and increased CO2 levels on woodlands and ecosystems. The potential impacts and interactions with human health and wellbeing is a key aspect of this research.

LinkedIn: Jenny Shepherd

Qualifications

Knowledge Exchange Facilitator

  • MSc in Marketing, Cranfield University, 1986
  • BSc in Geography, Swansea University, 1984

Biography

Jenny has worked in a number of private and public sector roles including Research Assistant on a major Government funded project at Bradford University, Market Analyst in an agricultural engineering company, and partnership analyst for the Powys Community Safety Partnership.

A graduate in Geography and with a Masters in marketing and product management, Jenny has a unique combination of theoretical background and practical experience; including teaching research methods at degree level, and facilitating data analysis workshops. This experience has resulted in a good understanding of the difference between, and the application of, qualitative and quantitative research; and the value of longitudinal and cohort studies to provide a better understanding of behaviour.

With extensive experience of sourcing, collating and summarizing robust data analysis to facilitate strategic and tactical decision making, Jenny is proficient at presenting information in an accessible way to audiences of different sizes and levels, up to senior management.

Generating impact and engaging the public in research is a central part of Jenny’s current role as Knowledge Exchange Facilitator in the Institute of Applied Health at University of Birmingham. Examples include presenting a lecture about green space and wellbeing (particularly referencing Jenny’s planned research as part of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research) at the Association of Science Educators Conference in January 2016. An enthusiastic and confident facilitator Jenny is experienced at representing and influencing at all levels.

Teaching

  • First Year Medicine and Surgery degree - Small Group teaching “Wider determinants of health”
  • Third year Medicine and Surgery degree – Small Group Teaching “Evidence based medicine and research methods”

Postgraduate supervision

Supervision of group projects and dissertations at graduate level in previous position at Harper Adams University.

Research

Jenny is particularly interested in health geography i.e.  visual and spatial epidemiology. Plus the use of GIS, remote sensing and other imaging as additional data layers to provide more information as part of the classification algorithms. The enduring relationship between housing and health has been explored by analysis of the Census 2011 data for Worcestershire at a local level providing an insight into any correlations.

Green space and the importance of the evolutionary link with nature for human wellbeing is another research interest.
Using the scientific method to measure physiological response to different environments and the impact on health and wellbeing. For example, affective response using a mobile EEG system.

Research groups and Centres

Public Health champion for the Birmingham institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) Twitter @BIFoRUoB  

Other activities

RHS Diploma in Horticulture

Publications

Publications from previous academic work at Bradford Management Centre:

Hooley G, Lynch J, & Shepherd, J (1990) ‘The Marketing Concept, Putting the Theory Into Practice’ European Journal of Marketing Vol. 24 No.9 p.7-24

Hooley G, Lynch J, Brooksbank R, & Shepherd J. (1988) ‘Strategic Marketing Environments’ Journal of Marketing Management Vol.4, No.2. P.131-147

View all publications in research portal