Dr Sonia Dalkin

Professor

Department: Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Sonia Dalkin is a Professor of Applied Health and Social Care Research in the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, with expertise in complex intervention evaluation and realist approaches. She has interests in diverse methods with an emphasis on mixed and novel approaches. Accordingly, Sonia has significant experience in realist approaches, providing training in the approach throughout the UK and internationally. In 2018, she co-authored ‘Doing Realist Research’, published by Sage. Her work portfolio reflects her realist experience with projects in palliative care, long term conditions and public health.

In 2018, Sonia launched the Northern Realist Research Team Hub (NoRTH). NoRTH comprises an experienced team of researchers based at Northumbria University with established regional, national and international links, who have expertise in and are regularly using and developing realist approaches to research.

Her most recent research, co-led with Professor Angela Bate, aims to address the requirements outlined by the MRC Framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. This methodological development research aims to formulate Realist Economic Evaluation Methods (REEM) and associated guidance, to better understand and evaluate the costs and consequences of complex interventions. It will bring together realist and economic evaluation to enable evaluators to establish what works, for whom, in which circumstances, whist integrating better understanding of costs and consequences (including opportunity cost).

Campus Address

H005, Coach Lane Campus East

Email Sonia

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Achieving Integrated Treatment: A realist synthesis of service models and systems for co-existing serious mental health and substance use conditions, Harris, J., Dalkin, S., Jones, L., Ainscough, T., Maden, M., Bate, A., Copello, A., Gilchrist, G., Griffith, E., Mitcheson, L., Sumnall, H., Hughes, E. 1 Aug 2023, In: The Lancet Psychiatry
Applying and reporting relevance, richness, and rigour in realist evidence appraisals: Advancing key concepts in realist reviews, Dada, S., Dalkin, S., Gilmore, B., Hunter, R., Mukumbang, F. 1 May 2023, In: Research Synthesis Methods
Codesigning a systemic discharge intervention for inpatient mental health settings (MINDS): a protocol for integrating realist evaluation and an engineering-based systems approach, Hackmann, C., Komashie, A., Handley, M., Murdoch, J., Wagner, A., Grünwald, L., Waller, S., Kaminskiy, E., Zeilig, H., Jones, J., Bray, J., Bagge, S., Simpson, A., Dalkin, S., Clarkson, J., Borghini, G., Kipouros, T., Rohricht, F., Taousi, Z., Haighton, K., Rae, S., Wilson, J. 13 Sep 2023, In: BMJ Open
'For Want of a Nail’: Developing a Transparent Approach to Retroduction and Early Initial Programme Theory Development in a Realist Evaluation of Community End of Life Care Services, McEwan, K., Girling, M., Bate, A., Atkinson, J., Clarke, A., Dalkin, S. 12 Mar 2023, In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology
How are hospitals in England caring for women at risk of preterm birth in 2021? The influence of national guidance on preterm birth care in England: a national questionnaire, Carlisle, N., Care, A., Anumba, D., Dalkin, S., Sandall, J., Shennan, A. 20 Jan 2023, In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Longitudinal realist evaluation of the dementia PersonAlised care team (D-PACT) intervention: protocol, Wheat, H., Weston, L., Oh, T., Morgan-Trimmer, S., Ingram, W., Griffiths, S., Sheaff, R., Clarkson, P., Medina-Lara, A., Musicha, C., Spicer, S., Ukoumunne, O., Allgar, V., Creanor, S., Clark, M., Quinn, C., Gude, A., McCabe, R., Batool, S., Smith, L., Richards, D., Shafi, H., Warwick, B., Lasrado, R., Hussain, B., Jones, H., Dalkin, S., Bate, A., Sherriff, I., Robinson, L., Byng, R. 19 Sep 2023, In: BJGP Open
Understanding the challenges and impact of training on referral of postnatal women to a community physical activity programme by health professionals: a qualitative study using the COM-B model, Allin, L., Haighton, C., Dalkin, S., Das, J., Allen, G. 1 Jan 2023, In: Midwifery
Protocol for the IMPART study: IMplementation of the preterm birth surveillance PAthway – a RealisT evaluation, Carlisle, N., Dalkin, S., Shennan, A., Sandall, J. 29 Mar 2022, In: BMJ Open
Realist evaluation of the Football Association’s Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Coach Development, Redgate, S., Potrac, P., Boocock, E., Dalkin, S. 24 Mar 2022, In: Sport, Education and Society
Attracting, recruiting and retaining nurses and care workers working in care homes: the need for a nuanced understanding informed by evidence and theory, Devi, R., Goodman, C., Dalkin, S., Bate, A., Wright, J., Jones, L., Spilsbury, K. 1 Jan 2021, In: Age and Ageing

PGR Supervision

Robin Hyde Exploring the impact of the Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner role within the hospital setting: a realist evaluation Start Date: 06/07/2021
Peter Dryden Start Date: 03/01/2019 End Date: 04/04/2020

Qualifications

Health PhD January 31 2014

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