Dr Stathi has a sustained track record of success in the field of active ageing and public health research with an outstanding profile in leading large community-based trials over the last 20 years. Her interdisciplinary, mixed methods research with older adults and health care, public health and third sector organisations has advanced knowledge, influenced policy, and helped to reduce inequalities.
Within a period of only five years (2015-2020), she has secured as Chief Investigator two large grants (total value of £3.4 million) from the NIHR-Public Health Research Programme. Each of these speaks to her commitment to improving the systems affecting people’s health and quality of life.
She is a recognised international researcher, evidenced by collaborations and publications with colleagues from 16 countries. Her research portfolio focuses on three inter-related themes:
1) Exploring relationships between physical activity, mobility and well-being;
2) Employing citizen science methodologies to better understand the social, psychological, and environmental determinants of and barriers to physical activity; and
3) Developing and evaluating lifestyle interventions targeting older adults.
KEY RESEARCH GRANTS
Grants with Dr Stathi as Chief investigator
- £1,739,835 NIHR Public Health Research Programme. A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of a peer-volunteer led active ageing programme to fprevent decline in physical function in older people at risk of mobility disability. The ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) study. 2021-2025.
2. £1,641,790 NIHR Public Health Research Programme. A multi-centre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a community-based physical activity intervention to prevent mobility-related disability for retired older people. The REACT (REtirement in ACTion) study. 2015-2020. https://www.thereactstudy.com/
3. £248,899 MRC (Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Initiative-Phase 3). Developing a model of volunteering action in promoting active ageing in the community: Project ACE (Active, Connected and Engaged). 2012-2014.
4. £48,058 MRC (Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Initiative-Phase 2). The Avon Network for Physical Activity Promotion of Older People in the community. 2009-2010.
Grants with Dr Stathi as Co-Investigator
1. £8679 ESRC Impact Acceleration Account – Urgency Fund. (Chief Investigator: Victoria Goodyear, University of Birmingham). Optimising Social Media for Physical Activity and Nutrition during COVID-19. 2020.
2. £589,601 MRC National Prevention Research Initiative. (Chief Investigator: Dylan Thompson, University of Bath). Mi-PACT: Multi-dimensional personalised physical activity profiles in at risk men & women. 2012-2016.
3. £86,400 Dunhill Medical Trust. (Chief Investigator: Ken Fox, University of Bristol). OPAL-PLUS: How have you been?” A four-year follow-up of the “Older people and active living: Project OPAL” study. 2011-2012.
4. £239,713 NIHR-Research for Patient Benefit. (Chief Investigator: Colin Greaves, University of Exeter). Waste the Waist: Pilot randomised controlled trial of a primary care based lifestyle intervention for reducing cardiovascular and diabetes risk. 2010–2013.
5. £11,940. AVON Primary Care Research Collaborative Partnership. (Chief Investigator: Ken Fox, University of Bristol). A process evaluation of the Avon Network for Physical Activity Promotion of Older People in the community. 2010-2011.
6. £167,600 MRC/ESRC National Prevention Research Initiative. (Chief Investigator: Ken Fox, University of Bristol). Older People and Active Living: Project OPAL. 2006-2009.
Her long-term goals are to sustain and further develop her international research programme around the above themes, to strategically inform social and health care policy and practice, to produce publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals, and to translate these activities into real world impact.
Her research programme tackles important current and future health priorities and is closely aligned with national and international government and health service policy and initiatives.
In 2017, Dr Stathi received the University of Bath Vice Chancellor’s Award for Public Engagement with Research. Watch the video of her winning talk here:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/vice-chancellors-awards-highlight-shining-examples-of-public-engagement-in-practice/