Allison Hirst

Research Fellow (EQUATOR Network)

Allison graduated from the University of Oxford in 1986 with a BA (Hons) in Human Sciences and later gained a Masters degree in Exercise and Health Sciences from the University of Bristol.

Allison has worked within various branches of health research for over 15 years. Most recently she was Project Manager for the Kadoorie Biobank Study of 0.5 million adults in China based at the Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit, University of Oxford. Previously she has been employed in both researcher and project management roles on a number of projects. These include a multi-site retrospective cohort study examining the efficacy and safety of two alternative treatments for symptomatic uterine fibroids (University of Oxford), development of the UK national clinical guidelines on osteoporosis (National Institute of Clinical Excellence), a Cochrane systematic review “Benzodiazepines for insomnia in palliative care” (Cochrane Cancer Network, Oxford), an investigation of the influence of the media, specifically the TV hospital drama “Casualty” on paracetamol overdose attendance rates at Accident & Emergency Departments across the UK (University of Oxford) and a research project examining the bone density of female athletes in relation to their menstrual histories (Pacific Medical Center, Seattle, USA). Allison also spent 2 years teaching undergraduate students both biological and social anthropology whilst gaining her teaching certificate at Oxford Brookes University.

Allison joined CSM in March 2009 as a Research Fellow for the EQUATOR Network project. The EQUATOR Network seeks to improve the quality of scientific publications by promoting transparent and accurate reporting of health research. The main aims of the project are to provide resources and training relating to the reporting of health research and assist in the development, dissemination and implementation of reporting guidelines. For more information visit the EQUATOR Network website (http://www.equator-network.org/).