Email: a.krayer@bangor.ac.uk

Telephone: 01248-388775

Fron Heulog, Friddoedd Road, Bangor

HEA Associate Fellow

I teach an introduction to NVivo, a number of sessions on methods and developing proposals at postgraduate level and a Public Health Nutrition Module NHS-422.

I supervise Masters and PhD students. Examples include:

  • In Wales, are contemporary models of front-line social care for people with recurrent mental ill health fit for purpose?: a mixed methods study. (Health and Care Research Wales Social Care PhD Studentship Award; Lead: P Huxley)

  • Service user and caregiver involvement in Low and Middle-Income countries: A scoping review.

  • Optimising the effectiveness of Education about Psychosis in improving understanding and reducing stigmatising attitudes (ESRC DTP PhD Studentship)

  • What interventions are available for homeless people who have experienced childhood trauma? A systematic review.
  • The challenges of evaluating co-production projects (KESS project)
  • Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health and Society
  • Member of the Healthcare and Medical Sciences Academic Ethics Committee
  • Member of the Scientific Organising Committee of the Qualitative Research on Mental Health (QRMH) conference - an international transdisciplinary forum for dedicated qualitative research on a range of topics in the field of mental health.
  • Reviewer for the Health and Care Research Project Grants - Integrated Funding Scheme Panel
  • Advisory Group Member - Mental Health and Social Care Incubator (NIHR funded)

MSc Public Health and Health Promotion

PhD Body Image in Adolescence

University of Wales, Bangor

I am interested in the broad areas of health service provision for people with mental health illness  and working with narrative approaches. 

  • Development of a self-harm registry for North Wales. E Bebbington, A Krayer, N Hartfiel, R Tudor Edwards, R Poole (Bangor University), C Robinson (Manchester University) , Bangor University Innovation and Impact Awards (£34,694) 2024-25

  • South Asia Self-Harm Initiative (SASHI) CA Robinson, P Huxley, A Krayer, M Krishna, K Nikopoulos & R Poole; Bangor University, UK. GV Krishnaveni & K Kumaran; CSI Holdsworth, Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India. R Rajendra; Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore, India. I Chaudhry; Pakistan Institute of Learning and Living, Karachi, Pakistan. N Chaudhry, N Husain, I Leroi & P Taylor; University of Manchester, UK. K Hawton; University of Oxford, UK. Funded by RCUK, Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) (£4,284,400). 2017-21 (extended to 24. Qualitative workstream lead

  • Early review of the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat, Wales. (Krayer, A. & Robinson & C.) Funded by the Welsh Government, Offender Health Policy (£10,000), 2016/17

  • Social network analysis for modelling integrated social care services for older people with complex needs: a feasibility study. (Orrell, A, Huxley, P & Krayer, A) Funded by Health and Care Research Wales (£215,852.00), 2016-18.
  • Improving assessment and treatment of mental disorder after Deliberate Self Harm in South India (Poole, R, Danivas, V, Krishna, M, Robinson, C., Sharma, V. & Majige, S). Funded by the Tropical Health Education Trust, DFID/Bangor University, £65,000, 2015-17
  • Self-harm: what are the research priorities and the service needs? (Anne Krayer, Bangor University & Sarah Kelly, National Association for People Abused in Childhood, NAPAC. Funded by the Strategic Insight Programme, Classic SIP, visiting grant (£2,500), 2015.
  • Vulnerable adults and anti-social behaviour: an exploration of current practice. (Krayer, A., Robinson, C.A., Poole, R., Jones, B., Isaac, M., Foulkes, T. & Lacy, F.). Funded by NISCHR (£169,495), 2013-2015.
  • Anti-Social Behaviour Incidence System: Narrative Research (Krayer, A. & Jones, B.). Funded by the Strategic Insight Programme, Classic SIP (£2,500) & Reverse SIP ((£2,000), 2012. See the case study for more details: http://www.siprogramme.org.uk/en/casestudieslv1/categories/health-wellbeing/item/379-bangor-university-dyfed-powys-police.
  • Service provision for people with mental health and substance misuse problems - the relationship between stigma and social exclusion (Robinson, CA, Krayer, A, Poole, R, Wolfendale, C). Funded by NISCHR (£109,863), 2011/2012.
  • Adult survivors and their families. Current needs and service responses (Seddon, D, Robinson, CA, Gwilym, H, McKeown, G). Funded by WORD (£123,391), 2010/2011.
  • Carers for people with mental health problems: needs assessment to service provision (Robinson, C A, Seddon, D and Bowen, S). Funded by the Big Lottery health and social care research fund, (£297,000), 2005-2010.
  • Unified Assessment in Wales: older people with complex needs and their families. (Seddon, D, Robinson, C A, Tommis, Y and Woods, B). Funded by WORD (£168,178), 2008/2010.
  • Enhancing Research Review Skills in Research Governance (Iphofen, R. and Robinson, C A). Funded by Consortia of Local Authorities in Midland and South and South East England, (£34,326), 2008/09.
  • Food and Fitness Grant scheme evaluation (Paisley, C, Robinson, C A and Krayer, A) Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Health Promotion Division, (£38,200), 2004-2007.
  • School meals project: Pupils’ food choices and factors influencing choice in primary and secondary schools in Wales (Paisley, C, Robinson, C A and Davies, D). Funded by Welsh Assembly Government, Health Promotion Division, (£56,000), 2005/06.
  • Needs assessment nutrition skills and knowledge primary care staff (Paisley, C, Lloyd, S and Barasi, M). Funded by Welsh Assembly Government and the Food Standards Agency Wales, (£2,352), 2005.
I supervise Masters and PhD students and am particularly interested in topics around suicide and self-harm, mental health, the use of narrative methods and the meaningful involvement of people using services in research.

2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

2017

2015

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

  • PublishedCommunity Project Evaluation Pack.
    Krayer, A. M., Krayer, A., Paisley, C. & Robinson, C. A., 1 Jan 2004, 2004 ed. Unknown.
    Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report

2024

2023

  • Perceptions of hospital staff on suicide and self-harm in India

    Presentation given at above conference:

    Suicide and self-harm are major issues in low- and middle-income countries

    LMICs), where 77% of global suicides occur (WHO). Only recently has suicide been decriminalised in India and Pakistan. There is a lack of understanding how hospital staff interpret and make sense of self-harm and suicide. This is

    important as their attitudes and opinions are likely to have an impact on treatment and follow-up.

    Hospital staff were recruited in three hospitals, where we conducted 29 interviews in English, ranging from 20 to 180 minutes. Interviews focused

    on experiences with self-harm patients, reasons for self-harm and suicide, reactions of others (family, society, etc.) and support needs. Participants included a wide range of staff including nurses, emergency staff, psychiatrists, psychologists, and medico-legal officers. Interviews were conducted by local researchers. Transcripts and notes were analysed using a codebook approach to thematic analysis (Bazeley, 2013).

    We are currently analysing the data and will present findings at the conference. Initial analysis suggest that socio-cultural, legal and economic factors need to be considered when aiming to develop prevention and treatment programmes. A focus on attitudes of health professionals, who have a key role when working with self-harm patients and their families is essential.

    2 Sep 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Workshop: Teamwork in Qualitative Research: learning from the South Asia Self-harm project (SASHI)

    Projects with collaborators from different countries are undertaken to address global health problems. The value of qualitative research in this context is slowly recognised, but there are challenges when working across countries, cultures, and spaces. Qualitative research that is culturally sensitive and focuses on the perspectives of people within their local contexts is needed, this includes not, only recruitment of participants and data collection, but also mindful data analysis.

    The aim of this workshop was to explore issues when conducting qualitative research in low- and middle-income countries on topics that may be taboo or stigmatised, such as self-harm and mental health. As part of the workshop, we shared experiences and learning from our project, the South Asia Self Harm Initiative (SASHI). This covered a range of issues such as strategies for collaborative research processes (including data collection and analysis) and sharing of knowledge. We looked at practical and methodological challenges. Some of the topics were explored in more detail through various activities and discussions. Participants’ questions and experiences were important elements feeding into the interactive part of the workshop. We jointly formulated suggestions for good practice. The workshop was of relevance not only to people working across countries but also people conducting research across different teams.

    31 Aug 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • The challenging role of police in suicide in Rajasthan: findings from an interview study

    Oral presentation

    13 Jun 2023

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Police Perceptions of Self-Harm and Suicide in Rajasthan

    Presentation of findings from the SASHI interviews with police personnel in Rajasthan

    31 May 2023

    Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker)
  • Introduction to narrative research

    Workshop on narrative research for postgraduate psychology students at JSS Medical College, Mysre, India as part of the capacity building activities for SASHI

    15 Mar 2023

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Rajasthan Police Academy

    Visit to discuss potential future collaborations.

    10 Mar 2023

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)

2022

2021

  • Brief introductory workshop on coding qualitative data

    Introductory qualitative data analysis workshop for postgraduate students (psychology, psychiatry and psychiatric social work). The workshop is part of the capacity-building efforts of SASHI.

    18 Nov 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Fundamentals of qualitative research

    Introductory workshop for postgraduate students (psychology, psychiatry and psychiatric social work). The workshop is part of the capacity-building efforts of SASHI.

    5 Oct 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Knowledge, Attitudes, and experiences of suicide and self-harm in low- and middle income countries: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

    Suicide disproportionately affects low and middle income countries (LMICs) and presents farreaching social, emotional and economic consequences for families, communities and society as a whole. An understanding of suicide and self-harm within the cultural, political and economic context of LMICs is fundamental to affecting change. The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research on knowledge, attitudes and experiences of self-harm and suicide of various stakeholders in LMICs. We have searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, BNI, Social Sciences and Cochrane library databases from inception until July 2019. 9,150 and preliminary findings are presented. Meta-ethnographic methods were used to synthesize the results of qualitative studies. A chronological approach was taken towards reciprocal translation. The results can inform the development of further research on knowledge, attitudes and experiences of suicide and self-harm in LMICs.

    10 Sep 2021

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Sensitive self harm and mental health research in South Asia: How to best support local researchers

    This talk was given as part of a symposium titled: "AFTER TRAUMA: NARRATIVE AND APPLIED APPROACHES".

    The talk focused on understanding of the impact of working with sensitive topics such as self-harm and mental health illness where there is a lack of evidence from capacity building projects with partners from the Global North and South where local research assistants are employed. Research with trained health professionals suggests experiences of distress, helplessness and even trauma when working with sensitive topics. The presentation drew on the experiences from research assistants of the South-Asia Self-Harm Initiative (SASHI) project We used a reflective collaborative approach as outlined by Finlay and Gough (2003). We payed particular attention to the social, economic and cultural context, as self-harm and mental health illness are topics associated with taboos, stigma and potential marginalisation in South Asia. Based on our experiences, we shared lessons learned and formulate recommendations for good research practice.

    10 Sep 2021

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Ethical considerations when conducting qualitative research in mental health in low- and middle-income countries

    Conference workshop: There is a need for qualitative research that is culturally sensitive and focuses on the perspectives of people within their local contexts. Religious, social, and cultural norms as well as differences in wealth may affect the interpretation of ethical principles. For example, Asian countries have religious and cultural traditions that emphasise the family and public interest rather than the Western focus on individual rights.

    The aim of this workshop was to explore ethical considerations when conducting qualitative research in low- and middle income countries on topics that may be taboo or stigmatised, such as self harm and mental health. As part of the workshop, we shared experiences and learning from our project, the South Asia Self Harm Initiative (SASHI). This covered a range of challenges such as gaining meaningful consent, sensitive interviewing and issues around power.

    9 Sep 2021

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Qualitative Research in Mental Health (QRMH8)

    Member of the scientific organising committee

    9 Sep 2021 – 11 Sep 2021

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)

2019

2018

  • SASHI Networking Event

    SASHI Networking event Manchester

    This was an international networking event put on by the SASHI research project to bring practitioners and academics from different backgrounds and service users together to meet and to discuss research needs in the area of self harm and suicide in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). This interactive event provided a forum for people from different backgrounds to come together and explore different view points. Research questions with real world relevant were developed and SASHI will further facilitate the development of these. Interest groups of people have formed who will explore taking specific research ideas forward.

    Summary: This was an international networking event put on by the South Asia Self Harm Initiative to bring practitioners, academics and service users together to meet and to discuss research needs in the area of self harm and suicide in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). This interactive event provided a forum for people from different backgrounds to come together and explore different points of view. Research questions with real world relevant were developed and SASHI will further facilitate the development of these (also see: http://sashi.bangor.ac.uk/news/networking-event-in-manchester-6th-of-november-38753)

    Underpinning research: This was part of the South Asia Self Harm Initiative programme of work which is reaching out to reduce suicide and self harm in South Asia whilst also facilitating reserach capacity building.

    Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries include practitioners, researchers and service users from Low and Middle Income and High Income Countries.

    Notes: I was one of the organisers and facilitated a thematic group at the event

    6 Nov 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
  • How do health professionals in South India talk about self-harm? A narrative pilot study

    Chair of and presenter at a symposium on narrative research; SASHI project

    20 Sep 2018 – 22 Sep 2018

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Integration or fragmentation of care services?

    Presentation of qualitative findings from interviews with Professionals. Social Network Analysis Project

    11 Sep 2018

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
  • Integration or fragmentation of care services? Dissemination Event

    Integration or fragmentation of care services? Dissemination event for the Social Network Analysis for modelling integrated care services for older people with complex needs study.

    We presented the findings of the research to service users and service providers and discussed how the findings can inform and be implemented in practice. Several practical ideas were generated and participants hope to take these forward into their organisations.

    Summary: We presented the findings of the project to service users and service providers and discussed how the findings can inform and be implemented in practice. We found that althoug the importance of partnership working is recognised, there is a lack of awareness and communiction, complicated by a lack of funding for partnership working. Several practical ideas were generated and participants hoped to take these forward into their organisations.

    Underpinning research: The Social Network Analysis for modelling integrated care services for older people with complex needs study is a Health and Care Reserach Wales funded project. The aim of this research was to test the feasibility of applying SNA in an integrated social care setting in order to model the complex systems that deliver care services to older people with complex needs. We had two main research questions:

    1. What organisational links currently exist for the provision of integrated social care services for community dwelling older people with complex needs?

    2. What are the gaps, barriers and enablers in linking services as perceived by key service stakeholders?

    Beneficiaries: Older people with complex needs.

    Notes: I was one of the co-applicants of the grant, collected and anaylsed qualitative data, was one of the event organisers and presented at the event

    11 Sep 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)
  • Building research and evidence capacity in South Asia. Understanding the nature of self harm

    Presentation to an interntional audience including postgraduates, health care professionals and senior academics; SASHI project

    10 Sep 2018

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Health Services Research Summer Schools, School of Healthcare Sciences, Research and Protocol Development

    Workshop to discuss individual research projects

    4 Jul 2018

    Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
  • Health and Social Care in the Community (Journal)

    Peer review

    16 Apr 2018

    Activity: Publication peer-review (Peer reviewer)
  • Qualitative narrative inquiry workshop

    Qualitative narrative inquiry workshop : Delivered a two-day training workshop at the 4th Global Mental Health Conference

    4 Mar 2018 – 5 Mar 2018

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
  • Medicine, Science, and the Law (Journal)

    Peer review

    26 Feb 2018

    Activity: Publication peer-review (Peer reviewer)

2017

2016

  • Victim or perpetrators? Interpretations of anti-social behaviour and the impact on service provision.

    People with mental health problems are frequent victims of anti-social behaviour but they may also be perceived as anti-social. There is a danger that people may move towards criminalisation if no solution can be found. This research project explored tensions between anti-social behaviour policy and challenges for statutory and third sector organisations to support vulnerable people who experience mental health problems. We collected qualitative data in the form of 60 narrative police logs and interviews with service users and carers (n = 56) and professionals (n = 55). Service users and carers were involved in all stages of the project, ranging from the research development to dissemination. An inductive thematic approach was used to identify patterns within and across the data. Findings suggest that there are no clear-cut categories of victim and perpetrator and people may move in and out of these categories over time. In addition, although there is a legal definition of anti-social behaviour, professionals from different backgrounds and service user and carer interpret behaviours differently, partly depending on contextual and social-cultural factors. This has a major impact on relationships and ultimately on access to and experience of services by service users and carers.

    25 May 2016 – 27 May 2016

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Victim or perpetrators? Interpretations of anti-social behaviour and the impact on service provision. Presentation at the 6th Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference, Chania, Crete.

    Sharing of findings and recommendations when working on the interface between mental health, criminal justice and social care to an audience of Academics and Service Users and Carers.

    Underpinning research: Funded research project looking at vulnerable adults and anti-social behaviour.

    25 May 2016 – 27 May 2016

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

2008