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Dr Ashleigh Kernohan
(she/her)
BSc PhD MCOptom
Teams and roles for Ashleigh Kernohan
Senior Research Fellow
Overview
I'm a Senior Research Fellow based at the Centre for Vision Service Research at Cardiff University. I'm a health economist with a background as a community optometrist, I have research in the development, measurement of preferences in and evaluation of eye care services and interventions
Research
Over my research career, I have developed skills in a range of methods including systematic review, meta-analysis, within trial economic evaluation, model based economic evaluation and preference elicitation studies. I have also been part of the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group as an associate editor, advising on and contributing to Cochrane systematic reviews. It is my goal to constantly try to expand my knowledge of different research methods to be able to consider innovative solutions to different research projects.
In terms of research grants, I have been involved in bids for NIHR Health Technology Assessment, Research for Patient Benefit and Programme Grants for Applied Research awards as a health economist, a co-applicant and a co-lead applicant. . The culmination of this experience has helped me gain an understanding about how to apply for, deliver and disseminate high quality research.
Biography
My role as a researcher is underpinned by a background as a community optometrist. I have worked in a number of different clinical roles including busy city centre practices and a mobile role delivering eye care to rural Scottish communities. I also have experience in delivering domiciliary eye care to those who were unable to travel to an optometry practice. After completing a summer scholarship in research during my undergraduate degree, it was my goal to pursue a career as a researcher. I began working towards this goal in 2014 by undertaking my PhD study at Glasgow Caledonian University about health economics in primary eye care, which I completed in 2018.
After this took up a post as a health economist at Newcastle University as part of the Health Economics Group in Population Health Sciences Institute. This included working on a range of projects in to assess the cost and benefits of different interventions, including my specialist research area in eye disease. I have developed skills in a range of methods including systematic review, meta-analysis, within trial economic evaluation, model based economic evaluation and preference elicitation studies. I began my role within the Centre for Vision Services Research at the end of 2025. I am looking forward to continuing to carry out high quality research in understanding value and preferences in regard to the management of eye diseases and the design of vision services.
Contact Details
Optometry and Vision Sciences, Floor 2, Room 2.40, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
Research themes
Specialisms
- Health economics
- Optometry
- Ophthalmology