Psychology

Dr David Francis Hunt

Dr David Francis Hunt

Senior Lecturer

 D.Hunt3@exeter.ac.uk

 Washington Singer Room 216

 

Washington Singer Laboratories, University of Exeter, Perry Road, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK

Overview

David is an applied psychologist who specialises in improvement and implementation science in mental health. His research is transdiagnostic and is underpinned by two core principles::

1. Employing participatory methodologies to ensure substantive involvement with pertinent stakeholders, encompassing those with lived experience.

2. Advocating for personalised care and recovery-centered practices that position patients at the core of their own care, enabling them to proactively engage in their journey to recovery.

Qualifications

PhD Psychology - University of Bristol

BSc (Hons) Experimental Psychology - University of Bristol 

Links

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

David's research is centred on applied methodologies, collaborating with various academics and healthcare professionals to enhance patient and staff outcomes and experiences, as well as to refine the support healthcare systems offer to the patient populations. His research is wide-ranging, covering all aspects of mental health and extending into community and primary healthcare settings. Noteworthy projects that David has participated include the integration of nature-based methods into mental health care, reducing eating disorder behaviours in a specialist eating disorders unit, reducing the unncessary use of restrictive practices, improving sexual safety in inpatient services, ensuring the meaningful involvement of patients in care planning, and promoting compassion in inpatient settings.

David's academic and professional journey is embellished by a diverse range of experiences in sectors such as mental health, research funding, social welfare law, and education. Over recent years, he has made contributions through non-traditional academic channels, including:

  • Leading research with the National Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Nursing Director's Forum and Care Quality Commission to formulate national guidance aimed at mitigating ligature risks in the built environment and improving the therapeutic benefits of enhanced observations.
  • Developed an evidence-based framework designed to enhance sexual safety within mental health settings was formulated and presented to healthcare trusts throughout the South of England, subsequently informing programmes across numerous attending trusts.
  • Engaging in various projects within the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which include designing and appraising the psychological integration model, evaluating the peer support worker scheme, co-developing a new care plan utilising an adapted appreciative inquiry approach now being implemented trust-wide, and establishing national guidelines for mealtime assistance for individuals with eating disorders.
  • Drafted the first iteration for the benefits realisation plan and metrics of success for a five-year evaluation plan for Health Data Research UK.
  • Designing, executing, and evaluating an intricate intervention for charities to aid underserved groups in accessing social welfare law information and support.
  • Generating and assessing a suite of initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and their families across ten schools.

In summary, David's research profile is distinguished by its blend of academic insight and practical experience across various sectors, yielding significant contributions to mental health and beyond, through innovative approaches and collaborative projects.

Research networks

Affiliate Member, Wellcome Centre, Cultures and Environments for Health

Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Honorary Researcher, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Contributor, NIHR funded SPOtting Cancer among Comorbidities Project (Department of Primary Care, University of Exeter)

Research grants

  • 2023 NHS Health Education England
    To create national guidance for improving mealtime support for people with eating disorders.

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Publications

Journal articles

Hunt DF (2024). Power of saying 'I Don't Know': psychological safety and participatory strategies for healthcare leaders. BMJ LEADER  Author URL.
Rowsell KA, Akinbola A, Hancock M, Nyambayo T, Jackson Z, Hunt DF (2024). Reducing use of seclusion on a male medium secure forensic ward. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 13(1).  Author URL.
Ige JJ, Hunt DF, Mitchell A, Eaton E, Walker A, Fearn R, Kirkham L, Staples A, Giles A, Wilson B, et al (2023). Improving the standardisation, timeliness and efficiency of the occupational therapy admission process in an older adult inpatient service. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 12(4).  Author URL.
Hunt DF, Morgan M, Connors M, Mellor C (2022). Bringing nature into CAMHS inpatient services: reflections for the implementation and integration of training into practice. Int Rev Psychiatry, 34(5), 546-552. Abstract.  Author URL.
Gardner L, Tillier K, Marshall-Tyson K, Trueman H, Hunt DF (2022). Improving mealtimes for patients and staff within an eating disorder unit: the next chapter. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 11(2).  Author URL.
Morgan M, Hunt DF, Trueman H, Vincent C, Maughan D (2022). Improving personality disorder care across mental health services: a system-wide approach. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 11(3).  Author URL.
Ige JJ, Hunt DF (2022). Quality improvement project to improve the standardisation and efficiency of occupational therapy initial contact and assessment within a mental health inpatient service. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 11(4).  Author URL.
Hunt DF, Bailey J, Lennox BR, Crofts M, Vincent C (2021). Enhancing psychological safety in mental health services. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, 15(1).  Author URL.
Hunt DF, Dunn M, Harrison G, Bailey J (2021). Ethical considerations in quality improvement: key questions and a practical guide. BMJ OPEN QUALITY, 10(3).  Author URL.
Hunt DF, Hunt HBN, Park JH (2017). Bioenergetic costs and state influence distance perception. PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR, 180, 103-106.  Author URL.
Hunt DF, Cannell G, Davenhill NA, Horsford SA, Fleischman DS, Park JH (2017). Making your skin crawl: the role of tactile sensitivity in disease avoidance. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY, 127, 40-45.  Author URL.
van Leeuwen F, Hunt DF, Park JH (2015). Is Obesity Stigma Based on Perceptions of Appearance or Character? Theory, Evidence, and Directions for Further Study. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY, 13(3).  Author URL.

Chapters

Park JH, Hunt DF (2018). Evolutionary Perspectives on the Psychology of Intergroup Relations: Innate Predispositions and Cultural Malleability. In  (Ed) Cultural Competence in Applied Psychology, Springer International Publishing, 269-280.
Hunt D (2017). Facial Disfigurement. In Shackelford T, Weekes-Shackelford V (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, Springer.
Park J, Hunt D (2017). Group Living. In Shackelford T, Weekes-Shackelford V (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, Springer.
Hunt D (2017). Outgroup Members. In Shackelford T, Weekes-Shackelford V (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, Springer.

Reports

Hunt D, Morgan M, Fletcher A, Crofts M (2024). Increasing the Therapeutic Value of Enhanced Observations. National Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Nursing Director's Forum/Care Quality Commission. Abstract.
Hunt D, Morgan M, Fletcher A, Crofts M (2023). Ligature Harm Reduction in the Built Environment. National Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing Director's Forum. Abstract.
Hunt D (2015). Advice Needs Analysis for North Somerset. Advice Services Transition Fund (BIG Lottery/Cabinet Office, Internal report. Abstract.
Hunt D (2015). Digital Mapping of North Somerset. Advice Services Transition Fund (BIG Lottery/Cabinet Office). Abstract.
Hunt D (2015). GO4IT Impact Report. Advice Services Transition Fund (BIG Lottery/Cabinet Office). Abstract.

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Teaching

David contributes to teaching that focuses on mental health and healthcare services. This includes subject matter expertise (e.g., eating disorders, restrictive practices, societal issues and stigma) and approaches and debates to healthcare services and methods for innovation.

 

Modules

2023/24

Information not currently available


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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Ishita Chatterji
  • Anvita Vikram

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