'Winning the Changemaker Award was a powerful affirmation of the path I'd chosen'

What attracted you to study at King’s?

It was really the research project, which was looking at what was happening on social media in shaping identity at that moment. I found that fascinating and I immediately felt it was something I could contribute to.

What also stood out was the interdisciplinarity of the work and the people involved. That combination of exciting research, inspiring staff and a genuinely collaborative environment was what drew me in.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at King’s?

Working within that interdisciplinary research group and seeing how academics across disciplines and perspectives could come together to do work that genuinely mattered.

What key lesson did you take from your time at King’s?

The importance of doing something impactful with my research. That wasn’t formally taught, but it was embedded in the culture. Being at a large, diverse institution like King’s showed me all the different ways research could make a difference, how you could take it into everyday life and use it to better society. That idea really stayed with me and has shaped everything I’ve done since.

Did you have a clear plan when you left King’s?

Not at all. I knew I wanted to do work that helped people live better with technology, but I didn’t know exactly what form that would take.

I explored opportunities in healthcare, government and the private sector before taking an academic role. But the guiding principle was always the same: do something useful to enact change.

What was the journey to becoming a leading voice on digital health and mental wellbeing?

It happened very organically. Towards the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, I began doing podcast interviews where I translated my PhD research into practical ways to manage technology use and avoid tech saturation.

As COVID hit and we all moved into home working, organisations began approaching me to run webinars and training sessions. I began working with the NHS, government bodies and businesses, helping people understand how to live and work healthily in an intensely digital environment.

Eventually, I realised I needed to formalise this work and create an identity beyond my academic role. This is where Dr Digital Health came from. What was really exciting was seeing how people connected with what I was saying and how useful they found this research to be in everyday life.

What have you discovered about how technology shapes our lives?

We’re co-evolving with technology. It shapes us and we shape it. We know technology can have some amazing applications, particularly in medicine, so the challenge is using it for what it does well without letting it define who we are.

Digital platforms are often addictive by design. These systems monetise attention and encourage more impulsive, dopamine-driven behaviour, making it harder to focus or switch off. The consequences are visible in rising mental health struggles, body image issues and burnout.

While individuals can adopt coping strategies, we need stronger safeguards and the responsibility lies with governments and tech companies through better regulation and accountability.

Why did you decide to challenge Apple’s App Store practices?

It was the most direct way I could see to use my research for large-scale impact. The evidence showed the harm caused by monopoly practices and this was an opportunity to seek real redress for people affected.

It was a long process; it has taken six years (and counting) and requires a huge commitment. There were highly stressful moments. But, at its core, it was about using evidence to challenge big tech and return money to consumers. That felt worth pursuing.

What does a healthy relationship with technology look like today?

It’s about balance and boundaries. Technology is embedded in our lives. We can’t just switch off, that isn’t realistic for most people. Instead, it’s about choosing when and how technology impacts our lives.

That might mean screen‑free time with loved ones, spending time outdoors, reading or setting boundaries, like putting your phone on aeroplane mode in the evening. Crucially, it’s also about remembering that what we see online is curated and idealised. It’s not a fair comparison with real life.

How did it feel to receive the King’s Changemaker Award?

Honestly, I cried when I found out. I felt incredibly honoured and very emotional. It was a powerful affirmation of the path I’d chosen.

Earlier in my career, especially as a woman in academia, I faced a lot of pressure to conform and I received backlash for taking my research beyond traditional academic spaces. The award felt like recognition that doing things differently was worthwhile.

What advice would you give to King’s students and alumni who want to be changemakers?

There’s no right or wrong way to build a career. Trust your instincts, quieten the voices that make you doubt yourself and pursue the work you believe in. Change depends on people being willing to do things differently and believing they’re allowed to.