Dr Felicity Spencer PhD

• PhD Clinical Trials Methodology, University of Birmingham, 2026
• MRes Research Methods in Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 2022
• BSc Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 2021

Dr Felicity Spencer joined University of Birmingham in 2022 to undertake a PhD in Clinical Trials Methodology, with a focus on improving the design and delivery of exercise-based clinical trials for people affected by dementia. Her research included a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including exercise biochemistry, epidemiology, and focus groups.

Her broader research interests centre on healthy and active ageing, particularly the translation of exercise research into community practice to support older adults' health, wellbeing, and independence.

Prior to joining University of Birmingham, Felicity completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Leicester, where her research explored the role of dopamine in addiction and schizophrenia. This multidisciplinary background has shaped her interest in translating scientific evidence into interventions that can improve health and wellbeing for individuals and communities.

Felicity’s research interests focus on healthy and active ageing, with a particular emphasis on exercise interventions for older adults. She is interested in both how clinical trials are designed and conducted, and how findings from these trials can be translated into routine practice to maximise their impact on health and wellbeing.

Her work spans clinical trials methodology and implementation research, exploring ways to improve the delivery of exercise-based interventions and increase their adoption within community settings. Drawing on a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including evidence synthesis, epidemiology, exercise biochemistry, and interviews, she seeks to understand both the effectiveness of interventions and the factors that influence their real-world implementation.