Research Community

CEDAR is an Applied Psychological Practice Centre of Excellence, and one of the UK's largest providers of training in evidence-based psychological practice and therapies, working in the NHS and private practice. One of the research groups (APTIA) focuses on adapting low-intensity written and mobile phone app-based CBT interventions to improve access and effectiveness for diverse groups, such as Armed Forces Veterans, Muslims, Informal Caraers and people with various physical health conditions. 

Combat Stress has an established record of conducting high-quality robust research to ensure the delivery of the best possible services to the Veteran community. Their work is focused on furthering understanding of how best to help Veterans with mental health difficulties and currently has three main areas of focus: Evaluating Combat Stress treatment programmes, population research (Understanding the needs of help-seeking Veterans) and exploring new ways to support help-seeking Veterans.

Debra Barton is the Early Years Specialist Lead for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), based in Upavon in Wiltshire. As an Early Childhood professional with over 25 years’ experience, Debra aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the needs of young Service children, and early childhood education and childcare (ECEC). Debra provides leadership and subject matter expertise on all ECEC matters, relating to Service children aged from birth to 5 years old, wherever they are in the world. 

Debra is also a self-funded, part-time Ph.D student at the University of Worcester, and is researching the impact of Military deployment on the parenting of young Service Children, focusing on the Royal Navy/Marines in England.

Dr Adejumoke Adeoti is a Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour. Adejumoke's career in Administration for over 13 years has fuelled her passion for human development and organisational leadership. Her research interests include career development and management, organisational entry and exit, executive career transition, people and organisational development/performance, organisational leadership, and military and veterans in emerging and developing economies.

Dr Alethea McHardy is a Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine for the Ministry of Defence. She is the Clinical Lead for the Regional Rehabilitation Unit for Scotland. 

She commenced a PhD in April 2024 on health outcomes in female military veterans in Scotland with a focus on the Musculoskeletal, Reproductive systems, breast and ovarian cancer.  

In 2025 she was awarded a Colt Foundation PhD Fellowship for 3 years which will support this key piece of work. 

She currently sits on the Scottish Government Cross Party Working Group for the UK Armed Forces and Veterans and has a passion for influencing policy decisions based on sound research. 

Dr Alison Osborne is a Senior Researcher in Psychology, with research interests in identity, well-being, EDI, digital health, Armed Forces, and mixed methodologies. Her current work is focussing on the role of digital technologies in women’s health communications. Alison’s research portfolio includes several projects with the Armed Forces Community centred on well-being, alcohol use, bereavement, family separation and limb loss. Most recently, Alison was the lead researcher for Fighting With Pride on the first UK research project exploring the experiences and impact of the UK Armed Forces ‘gay ban’ with LGBT+ Veterans.