Dr Isabelle Uny

Senior Research Fellow

Institute for Social Marketing University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Isabelle Uny

Contact details

About me

I am a social scientist and expert qualitative researcher specialising in global health research. My research interests are twofold: 1)alcohol harms/ alcohol policy; 2)Household air pollution generated by solid fuel use ( particularly in informal settlements contexts).

With regards to Alcohol policy, I am currently leading a British Academy funded study entitled " 'The politics of evidence-informed prevention policy in Africa: understanding attitudes, systems and norms in evidence usage in alcohol policy in Uganda". I recently led an MRC-funded two year study evaluating the control policies which banned alcohol sachets in Uganda and Malawi ( Project entitled "Regulating alcohol packaging and supply to protect health in Sub-Saharan Africa: lessons from policy systems in Malawi and Uganda (RAPSSA)"; https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FV015257%2F1). I was also a co- investigator on a second MRC- funded two year project in Peru and Brazil ( Interdisciplinary Research into political interest, civil society support and available data to strengthen Alcohol Policy Systems in Brazil and Peru (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FT023139%2F1)

With regards to Household Air Pollution: from 2020-23 I led an AHRC-funded study called ‘From fuel to Pot’ (an interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use and HAP in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi " (F2P). It used participatory qualitative methods (photovoice and walking interviews) to explore the issues from the point of view of residents themselves (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FV000152%2F1)

My expertise is also in the domain of Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) and I currently a co-investigator and leading the RCS programme in the £1.3M REMAP Study ( " Removing the marketing power of cigarettes: A multi-method study aimed at protecting the health of adolescents in Latin America).

I have considerable expertise in policy analysis and in qualitative methods and qualitative analysis (including qualitative evidence synthesis; I co-developed the first meta ethnography reporting guidance [eMERGe, 10.1002/pon.4915].

I also have a growing interest in new forms of data visualisation and participatory qualitative methods and extensive experience of community involvement and engagement (CEI) in Research, particularly in Global Health research. As a global health researcher, I strive to apply a ‘decolonised approach’ to my research in partnership with colleagues in the Global South (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015169 ).

I am a Board member of ICARA - the International Confederation of ATOD (Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug) Research Associations (http://www.icara.info) , a consortium which works to support research associations with governance and capacity building.

Moreover, I am an editorial Board member for the International Journal of Qualitative Methods and for PLOS Global Public Health.

My primary research interests are twofold: 1) Household air pollution in informal settlements (particularly from cooking/heating on solid fuels); 2) alcohol harms and alcohol policy implementation analysis.

Award

Stirling Crucible participant

A development opportunity for academic/research staff across the institution.

Mentor

WHO Scientific Research and Writing Mentorship initiative towards diversity in research on alcohol control policies
World Health Organisation

https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/less-alcohol/news/mentorship-flyer.pdf

Professional qualification

Aurora Advance HE's leadership programme
University of Stirling

https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/…eadership/aurora
Aurora is Advance HE's leadership development initiative for women. It is run as a unique partnership bringing together leadership experts, higher education providers and research institutes to take positive action to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the sector.

Research projects (11)

Removing the marketing power of cigarettes: A multi-method study aimed at protecting the health of adolescents in Latin America
PI: Professor Crawford Moodie
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

Babybreathe Trial (A randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention to prevent return to smoking postpartum)
PI: Professor Michael Ussher
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

Regulating alcohol packaging and supply to protect health in Sub-Saharan Africa: lessons from policy systems in Malawi and Uganda (RAPSSA)
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

COmmunities Facilitating incREasing Smoke-free Homes’ (CO-FRESH)
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

IRAPS: Interdisciplinary Research into political interest, civil society support and available data to strengthen Alcohol Policy Systems in Brazil and Peru
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

From fuel to pot: an interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi.
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Council
–

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments
PI: Professor Emma France
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

An exploration of the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of drink drivers in England and Scotland
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety
–

Exploring the Uptake and Use of Electronic Cigarettes Provided to Smokers Accessing Homeless Centres: A feasiblity Study
PI: Dr Allison Ford
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

The RTrT Partnership: Reducing Traffic-related Trauma - A community-based prevention and first-response programme intervention for Malawi and beyond
PI: Professor Edward Duncan
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

E-cigarettes and Weight Control: An Exploratory Study
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Cancer Research UK
–

Outputs (66)

Article

“It has some major knock-on effects”: ambulance clinicians’ experiences of attending alcohol-related call-outs and perceived impact on the Scottish ambulance service (IMPAACT study)

Uny I, Martin JG, Mitchell D, Ford A, Begley A, Howell R, Fitzpatrick D, Mackay D, Lewsey J & Fitzgerald N (2025) “It has some major knock-on effects”: ambulance clinicians’ experiences of attending alcohol-related call-outs and perceived impact on the Scottish ambulance service (IMPAACT study). Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2025.2576804

Policy Document

Restricting alcohol availability in practice: evidence from selected countries.

Trangenstein P, Tello J, Eck R, Tiongson P, Yeh J, Jernigan D, Haragirimana E, Waleewong O, Fitzgerald N, Uny I, Mbona Tumwesigye N & Kaneka B (2025) Restricting alcohol availability in practice: evidence from selected countries.. World Health Organisation. Snapshot series on alcohol control policies and practice, Brief 14. World Health Organisation. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/381461

Presentation / Talk

"Addressing the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) burden and protecting the young through comprehensive Alcohol Policies: Lessons from recent studies in Africa".

Uny I, Makar Diedricks A, Mbona Tumwesigye N & Kaneka B (2025) "Addressing the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) burden and protecting the young through comprehensive Alcohol Policies: Lessons from recent studies in Africa".. 16thNetwork of African Parliamentary Committees of Health (NEAPACOH) Meeting, Dar es Salaam ( Tanzania), 05.03.2025-07.03.2025. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DBM2F

Article

Exploring the use of solid fuels for cooking and household air pollution in informal settlements through photovoice: The Fuel to Pot study in Ndirande (Malawi) and Mukuru (Kenya)

Uny I, Chasima T, Caes L, Kambalame L, Chamba MVM, Kalumbi L, Orina F, Price H, Lucas S, Nyikuri M, Semple S & Meme H (2024) Exploring the use of solid fuels for cooking and household air pollution in informal settlements through photovoice: The Fuel to Pot study in Ndirande (Malawi) and Mukuru (Kenya). Shrestha SL (Editor) PLOS ONE, 19 (12), Art. No.: e0316095. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316095

Article

Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and barriers related to implementing smoke-free home practices in two rural settlement areas in Malaysia

Kamni SNA, Saiful Bahron NAN, Zulkifli A, Uny I, O’Donnell R, Suryo Prabandari Y, Suryo Bintoro B, Zainal Abidin E & Semple S (2024) Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and barriers related to implementing smoke-free home practices in two rural settlement areas in Malaysia. Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 10. https://doi.org/10.18332/tpc/195460

Commentary

Beyond high-level recommendations and rule books: doing the ‘hard work’ of global health research – lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary global partnership

Uny I, Kambalame L, Price H, Caes L, Kalumbi LR, Semple S, Lucas S, Orina F, Chasima T, Chamba MVM & Meme H (2024) Beyond high-level recommendations and rule books: doing the ‘hard work’ of global health research – lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary global partnership. BMJ Global Health, 9, Art. No.: e015169. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015169

Article

Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options

Fitzgerald N, O'Donnell R, Uny I, Martin JG, Cook M, Graham K, Stockwell T, Hughes K, Wilkinson C, McGill E, Miller PG, Reynolds J, Quigg Z & Angus C (2024) Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options. International Journal of Drug Policy, 129 (July 2024), Art. No.: 104465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104465

Article

Evaluating the progress of alcohol policies in Burundi against the WHO ‘best buy’ interventions: implications for public health.

Haragirimana E, Mitchell G & Uny I (2024) Evaluating the progress of alcohol policies in Burundi against the WHO ‘best buy’ interventions: implications for public health.. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 12 (S1), p. S57–S70. SPECIAL ISSUE PART 1: ALCOHOL PREVENTION RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN LMICS. https://ijadr.org/index.php/ijadr/article/view/467; https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.467

Other

The Fuel to Pot Project: An interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi

Uny I, Chamba M, Chasima T, Caes L, Kalumbi L, Orina F, Kambalame L, Semple S, Price H, Lucas S & Meme H (2023) The Fuel to Pot Project: An interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi., Edinburgh, 13.11.2023. https://www.poly.ac.mw/news/fuel-to-pot-mubas-and-stirling-universitys-collaborative-initiative-addressing-solid-fuel-challenges-in-household-cooking-15-11-2023#:~:text=This%20interdisciplinary%20partnership%20addresses%20the,access%20to%20modern%20energy%20infrastructure.

Presentation / Talk

How children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain: a meta-ethnography

France E, Caes L, Uny I, Forbat L, Silveira Bianchim M, Noyes J, Jordan A, Turley R & Thomson K (2023) How children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain: a meta-ethnography. Lothian Health and Care Professions Research Conference 2023, Edinburgh, Scotland, 07.11.2023.

Review

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments

France E, Uny I, Turley R, Thomson K, Noyes J, Jordan A, Forbat L, Caes L & Silveira Bianchim M (2023) A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments. Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group (Editor) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023 (10), Art. No.: CD014873. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd014873.pub2

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Co-producing with children and young people for a meta-ethnography on experiences of chronic pain, treatments and services.

Silveira Bianchim M, Jordan A, Uny I, Noyes J, Forbat L, Line C, Ruth T & France E (2023) Co-producing with children and young people for a meta-ethnography on experiences of chronic pain, treatments and services.. Abstracts of the 27th Cochrane Colloquium. Cochrane Colloquium, London, UK, 04.09.2023-06.09.2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd202301

Conference Paper (unpublished)

OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S & Semple S (2023) OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts, Newcastle University, 06.09.2023-08.09.2023. https://jech.bmj.com/content/77/Suppl_1/A7.1; https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.13

Other

OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S & Semple S (2023) OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts, 06.09.2023. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.13

Conference Paper (unpublished)

A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study

Uny I, Sanchez Z, Piazza M, Valerio I, Burela P, Petticrew M, Angus C & Fitzgerald N (2023) A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study. 48th Annual Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol, Johannesburg, 05.06.2023-09.06.2023. https://www.kbs2023joburg.org/

Conference Paper (published)

Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews

Mitchell G, O'Donnell R, Cook M, Uny I, Maxwell K, Emslie C & Fitzgerald N Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews. In: , Johannesburg, South Africa, 05.06.2023-08.06.2023. 48th Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society.

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Preliminary findings from a photovoice study of community members’ choice, experiences and perceptions around fuel use and cooking practices in Mukuru (Kenya) and Ndirande (Malawi)

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S, Semple S & Orina F (2023) Preliminary findings from a photovoice study of community members’ choice, experiences and perceptions around fuel use and cooking practices in Mukuru (Kenya) and Ndirande (Malawi). The KASH Conference, Nairobi, kenya, 13.02.2023-16.02.2023. https://www.kemri.go.ke/kash-14/#1571270387975-4b3b4eea-d7ab

Article

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments

France E, Noyes J, Forbat L, Uny DI, Jordan A, Caes L & Turley R (2022) A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 (7), Art. No.: CD014873. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd014873

Conference Abstract

522 A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Bianchim MS (2022) 522 A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Liverpool. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 107 (Supplement 2), pp. A514-A515. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.828

Article

Measuring secondhand smoke in homes in Malaysia: A feasibility study comparing indoor fine particulate (PM2.5) concentrations following an educational feedback intervention to create smoke-free homes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Zulkifli A, Abd Rani NL, Abdul Mutalib RNS, Dobson R, Engku Ibrahim TA, Abd Latif NH, O’Donnell R, Uny I, Zainal Abidin E & Semple S (2022) Measuring secondhand smoke in homes in Malaysia: A feasibility study comparing indoor fine particulate (PM2.5) concentrations following an educational feedback intervention to create smoke-free homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 20, Art. No.: 64. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/150338

Poster

A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Silveira Bianchim M (2022) A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference 2022, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 07.04.2022-09.04.2022.

Poster

A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Silveria Bianchim M (2022) A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments. 13th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, Auckland New Zealand & online, 24.03.2022-27.03.2022.

Article

A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Adherence Among Pregnant Women Taking Part in a Trial of E-cigarettes for Smoking Cessation

Ford A, Uny I, Lowes J, Naughton F, Cooper S, Coleman T, Hajek P, Przulj D, Myers Smith K, Bauld L, Sinclair L, Walton R, Clark M & Ussher M (2021) A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Adherence Among Pregnant Women Taking Part in a Trial of E-cigarettes for Smoking Cessation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (2), Art. No.: 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020430

Article

Implementing pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a realist evaluation of different delivery models

Abhyankar P, Wilkinson J, Berry K, Wane S, Uny I, Aitchison P, Duncan E, Calveley E, Mason H, Guerrero K, Tincello D, McClurg D, Elders A, Hagen S & Maxwell M (2020) Implementing pelvic floor muscle training for women with pelvic organ prolapse: a realist evaluation of different delivery models. BMC Health Services Research, 20 (1), Art. No.: 910. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05748-8

Article

A cluster feasibility trial to explore the uptake and use of e-cigarettes versus usual care offered to smokers attending homeless centres in Great Britain

Dawkins L, Bauld L, Ford A, Robson D, Hajek P, Parrott S, Best C, Li J, Tyler A, Uny I & Cox S (2020) A cluster feasibility trial to explore the uptake and use of e-cigarettes versus usual care offered to smokers attending homeless centres in Great Britain. PLoS ONE, 15 (10), Art. No.: e0240968. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240968

Article

The Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy Incentives Trial (CPIT): study protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial

Sinclair L, McFadden M, Tilbrook H, Mitchell A, Keding A, Watson J, Bauld L, Kee F, Torgerson D, McKell J, Hoddinott P, Harris FM, Uny I, Ussher M & Tappin D (2020) The Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy Incentives Trial (CPIT): study protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial. Trials, 21 (1), Art. No.: 183. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-4042-8

Other

Enhancing the impact of qualitative research findings: development of evidence-based reporting guidance for meta-ethnography

France E, Ring N, Cunningham M, Uny I, Duncan E, Robertson R, Jepson R, Maxwell M, Turley R & Noyes J (2019) Enhancing the impact of qualitative research findings: development of evidence-based reporting guidance for meta-ethnography. RCN International Nursing Research Conference, Sheffield, UK, 03.09.2019-05.09.2019. https://www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/research-and-innovation/research-events/rcn-2019-research-conference

Article

Weighing the options for delivery care in rural Malawi: community perceptions of a policy promoting exclusive skilled birth attendance and banning traditional birth attendants

Uny I, de Kok B & Fustukian S (2019) Weighing the options for delivery care in rural Malawi: community perceptions of a policy promoting exclusive skilled birth attendance and banning traditional birth attendants. Health Policy and Planning, 34 (3), pp. 161-169. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czz020

Other

What’s meta-ethnography and how do you do it? (workshop)

France E, maxwell m, duncan e, uny i & ring n (2019) What’s meta-ethnography and how do you do it? (workshop). The Annual Conference of the Academic Departments of General Practice in Scotland (ADEGS), Carnoustie, Scotland, 24.01.2019-25.01.2019.

Presentation / Talk

Can we apply CERQual to ‘higher order’ findings?

Uny I & France E (2018) Can we apply CERQual to ‘higher order’ findings? [Meta-ethnography as an example]. GRADE-CERQual workshop: "Strengthening the use of qualitative evidence in decision making’", Brocher Foundation, Geneva, 07.11.2018-09.11.2018.

Book Chapter

Steady and delayed: explaining the different development of meta-ethnography in health care and education

Uny I, France E & Noblit GW (2018) Steady and delayed: explaining the different development of meta-ethnography in health care and education. In: Kakos M & Fritzsche B (eds.) Meta-Ethnographic Synthesis in Education - Challenges, Aims and Possibilities. London: Routledge. https://www.crcpress.com/Meta-Ethnographic-Synthesis-in-Education-Challenges-Aims-and-Possibilities/Kakos-Fritzsche/p/book/9781138491199

Article

Protocol for a systematic review to identify the barriers and facilitators to deliver bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in disadvantaged communities

Dobbie F, Angus K, Uny I, Duncan E, MacInnes L, Hasseld L & Clegg G (2018) Protocol for a systematic review to identify the barriers and facilitators to deliver bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in disadvantaged communities. Systematic Reviews, 7 (1), Art. No.: 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-018-0807-5

Presentation / Talk

What's a meta-ethnography and how do you do it?

France E, Uny I, Ring N, Jepson R, Noyes J, Maxwell M, Duncan E, Turley R, Cunningham M & Roberts R (2018) What's a meta-ethnography and how do you do it?. International Institute for Qualitative Methods 16th Conference, Banff, Canada, 29.04.2018-03.05.2018.

Teaching

I have support teaching Units on online MPH modules I also co- supervise a PhD student on the Stirling University DHET South Africa programme

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes