Dr Tommer Spence

Dr Tommer Spence

Department of Applied Health Sciences
Research Fellow

Contact details

Email
t.spence@bham.ac.uk
View my research portal
Address
Murray Learning Centre
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT

Tommer Spence is a Research Fellow on the Perinatal Culture and Leadership Programme (PCLP) Evaluation, a project linked to the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands maternity theme. The PCLP Evaluation is using ethnographic methods to explore how an NHS England intervention has impacted leadership and working culture in maternity and neonatal units across the country.

Tommer’s previous research has focused on the implementation of online services within sexual health and their impact on service users. He has experience using a wide range of qualitative methods in his work, including semi-structured and cognitive interviews, focus groups, document analysis and non-participant observations. Alongside perinatal and sexual health, his interests include implementation science, health inequalities and qualitative research.

Qualifications

  • PhD Health Sciences, 2022
  • PGCert Social Science Research, 2017
  • BSc (Hons) Health Studies, 2016

Teaching

Tommer previously co-led an undergraduate dissertation module at UCL and facilitated cased-based learning and personal development sessions on the MBChB programme at Warwick Medical School. He has supervised dissertations and other independent research projects at undergraduate and master’s level.

Postgraduate supervision

Tommer is open to expressions of interest in postgraduate research which are related to any of his research interests.

Research

Research interests

  • Perinatal health
  • Sexual health
  • Digital health
  • Implementation science
  • Health inequalities
  • Qualitative methods

Current projects

  • PCLP Evaluation

Publications

Spence, T, Howarth, A, Reid, D, Sheringham, J, Apea, V, Crundwell, D, Day, S, Dewsnap, C, Jackson, L, Mercer, CH, Mohammed, H, Ross, JDC, Sullivan, A, Williams, A, Winter, A, Wong, G, Burns, F & Gibbs, J. (2024) How does online postal self-sampling (OPSS) shape access to testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? A qualitative study of service users. BMC Public Health, 24: 2339.

Spence, T, Griffiths, F and Ross, J. (2024) Service user experiences of using internet-based testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs): a qualitative study. Sexually transmitted infections, 100: 356-361.

Spence, T, Kander, I, Walsh, J, Griffiths, F and Ross, J. (2020) Perceptions and Experiences of Internet-Based Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Systematic Review and Synthesis of Qualitative Research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(8): e17667.

Spence, T, Griffiths, F and Ross, J. (2020) Perceptions and Experiences of Internet-Based Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Systematic Review and Synthesis of Qualitative Research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(8): e17667

View all publications in research portal