![Linda Adara](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/605?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
I am a Research Associate and Trial Manager in the Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University.
I have a background in early years education, youth and community work, and public engagement. My research work aims to improve the health and well-being of children and young people and to reduce health inequalities.
I am currently managing Test & Learn: Outreach services with a health specialism for people rough sleeping - optimisation and pilot cluster randomised controlled trial.
My research interests include:
- Qualitative and creative methodologies.
- School-based interventions.
- Imagination, communication, and collaboration.
Publication
2024
- Schroeder, E. et al. 2024. The cost-effectiveness and cost-consequences of a school-based social worker intervention: a within-trial economic evaluation. Children and Youth Services Review 166, article number: 107928. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107928)
- Bennett, V. et al. 2024. Student perspectives on school-based social workers: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Children's Services 19(3), pp. 189-221. (10.1108/JCS-04-2023-0021)
- Schroeder, E. et al. 2024. The cost-effectiveness and cost-consequences of a school-based social worker intervention: a within-trial economic evaluation. [Online]. SSRN. (10.2139/ssrn.4776734)
2023
- Hotham, J. et al. 2023. Association of cannabis, cannabidiol and synthetic cannabinoid use with mental health in UK adolescents. British Journal of Psychiatry 223(4), pp. 478-484. (10.1192/bjp.2023.91)
- White, J. et al. 2023. Association between gender minority status and mental health in high schools. Journal of Adolescent Health 72(5), pp. 811-814. (10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.12.028)
- Adara, L. et al. 2023. The Social Workers in Schools Trial: An evaluation of school based social work.. Project Report. Early Intervention Foundation.
2022
- Westlake, D. et al. 2022. Evaluating a school-based intervention through routine local authority data and national school data: challenges and opportunities. Presented at: International Population Data Linkage Conference 2022, 7 - 9 September 2022, Vol. 7. Vol. 3., (10.23889/ijpds.v7i3.1886)
- Lohan, M. et al. 2022. Effects of gender-transformative relationships and sexuality education to reduce adolescent pregnancy (The JACK trial): a cluster randomised trial. The Lancet Public Health 7(7), pp. E626-E637. (10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00117-7)
- Westlake, D. et al. 2022. The SWIS trial: protocol of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of school based social work. PLoS ONE 17(6), article number: e0265354. (10.1371/journal.pone.0265354)
2019
- Aventin, ?. et al. 2019. Acceptability of an interactive film-based intervention targeting adolescent boys to prevent sexual risk-taking: findings from the JACK cluster randomised controlled trial process evaluation. The Lancet 394 (10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32802-8)
- Morgan, K., McConnon, L., Van Godwin, J., Hawkins, J., Bond, A. and Fletcher, A. 2019. Use of the school setting during the summer holidays: Mixed-methods evaluation of Food and Fun Clubs in Wales. Journal of School Health 89(10), pp. 829-838. (10.1111/josh.12824)
- Hawkins, J. et al. 2019. Acceptability and feasibility of implementing accelerometry-based activity monitors and a linked web portal in an exercise referral scheme: A mixed-methods feasibility randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research 21(3), article number: e12374. (10.2196/12374)
2017
- McConnon, L., Morgan, K., Van Godwin, J., Hawkins, J., Bond, A. and Fletcher, A. 2017. Food and Fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme 2016: evaluation report. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh Local Government Association.
- McConnon, L., Morgan, K. and Fletcher, A. 2017. Food and fun: How one programme is making a difference to children in Wales. [Online]. Nesta. Available at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/food-and-fun-how-one-programme-making-difference-children-wales
Articles
- Schroeder, E. et al. 2024. The cost-effectiveness and cost-consequences of a school-based social worker intervention: a within-trial economic evaluation. Children and Youth Services Review 166, article number: 107928. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107928)
- Bennett, V. et al. 2024. Student perspectives on school-based social workers: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Children's Services 19(3), pp. 189-221. (10.1108/JCS-04-2023-0021)
- Hotham, J. et al. 2023. Association of cannabis, cannabidiol and synthetic cannabinoid use with mental health in UK adolescents. British Journal of Psychiatry 223(4), pp. 478-484. (10.1192/bjp.2023.91)
- White, J. et al. 2023. Association between gender minority status and mental health in high schools. Journal of Adolescent Health 72(5), pp. 811-814. (10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.12.028)
- Lohan, M. et al. 2022. Effects of gender-transformative relationships and sexuality education to reduce adolescent pregnancy (The JACK trial): a cluster randomised trial. The Lancet Public Health 7(7), pp. E626-E637. (10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00117-7)
- Westlake, D. et al. 2022. The SWIS trial: protocol of a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of school based social work. PLoS ONE 17(6), article number: e0265354. (10.1371/journal.pone.0265354)
- Aventin, ?. et al. 2019. Acceptability of an interactive film-based intervention targeting adolescent boys to prevent sexual risk-taking: findings from the JACK cluster randomised controlled trial process evaluation. The Lancet 394 (10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32802-8)
- Morgan, K., McConnon, L., Van Godwin, J., Hawkins, J., Bond, A. and Fletcher, A. 2019. Use of the school setting during the summer holidays: Mixed-methods evaluation of Food and Fun Clubs in Wales. Journal of School Health 89(10), pp. 829-838. (10.1111/josh.12824)
- Hawkins, J. et al. 2019. Acceptability and feasibility of implementing accelerometry-based activity monitors and a linked web portal in an exercise referral scheme: A mixed-methods feasibility randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research 21(3), article number: e12374. (10.2196/12374)
Conferences
- Westlake, D. et al. 2022. Evaluating a school-based intervention through routine local authority data and national school data: challenges and opportunities. Presented at: International Population Data Linkage Conference 2022, 7 - 9 September 2022, Vol. 7. Vol. 3., (10.23889/ijpds.v7i3.1886)
Monographs
- Adara, L. et al. 2023. The Social Workers in Schools Trial: An evaluation of school based social work.. Project Report. Early Intervention Foundation.
- McConnon, L., Morgan, K., Van Godwin, J., Hawkins, J., Bond, A. and Fletcher, A. 2017. Food and Fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme 2016: evaluation report. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh Local Government Association.
Websites
- Schroeder, E. et al. 2024. The cost-effectiveness and cost-consequences of a school-based social worker intervention: a within-trial economic evaluation. [Online]. SSRN. (10.2139/ssrn.4776734)
- McConnon, L., Morgan, K. and Fletcher, A. 2017. Food and fun: How one programme is making a difference to children in Wales. [Online]. Nesta. Available at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/food-and-fun-how-one-programme-making-difference-children-wales
Research
Recent collaborative projects
Test & Learn: Outreach services with a health specialism for people rough sleeping - optimisation and pilot cluster randomised controlled trial
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is investing £15 million to improve the evidence-base and understanding of what works to end rough sleeping. Test and Learn is the first programme of trial-based evaluation in homelessness in the UK, rigorously testing eight interventions which can make a difference in ending rough sleeping and preventing homelessness. Cardiff University is leading the evaluation of homelessness outreach with a health specialism intervention, which will be optimised and then evaluated through a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial.
3P: Optimisation and feasibility of Triple P parenting programme for remote delivery
This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of remote Group Triple P, an intervention designed to help parents develop strategies to build relationships and confidently manage their children’s behaviour.
Social Workers in Schools (SWIS)
Following on from three pilot studies of school based social work. The SWIS trial is evaluating the programme on a larger scale to establish the impact it has on some important social care and educational outcomes.
Research Inspires ME (RIME)
To mark World Cancer Day (4th February), the RIME project launched an education resource pack for key stage three pupils (age 11 – 14). The pack aims to improve literacy, digital competency and inspire career pathways by bringing the arts and sciences together. Two powerful films were created by renowned poets Ifor ap Glyn and Owen Sheers.
FRANK friends Study
This study is evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the FRANK friends intervention to prevent and reduce illicit drug use with a cluster randomised controlled trial design. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of all intervention delivery sessions and the study was formally closed in May 2022.
The Jack Trial
This cluster randomised controlled trial aims to determine the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce rates of unintended teenage pregnancy and to better understand the contextual conditions through a process evaluation.
Physical Activity Monitors in an Exercise Referral Setting (PACERS)
The PACERS study seeks to assess the feasibility of adding a motivational component to an existing intervention to enhance the effects of the National Exercise Referral Scheme and support longer-term maintenance of physical activity.
School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP)
Working with families across Wales, this project evaluates SHEP, a school-based programme that provides nutrition education, physical activity, enrichment sessions and healthy meals to children in areas of social deprivation during the school summer holidays.
Biography
Education and qualifications
- PhD Creativity in Education, 2014 University of Exeter (ESRC Scholarship)
- MSc Educational Research Methods with Distinction, 2010 University of Exeter
- BSc Early Childhood Studies, First Class Honours, 2009 Swansea University