Dr Joseph L. Davies

Module Leader

• PSY5205: Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Teaching

• FDN3207: Introduction to Psychology
• FDN3209: The Person and Society
• PSY4200: Conducting and Communicating Research
• PSY4203: Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
• PSY5203: Applied Cognitive and Biological Psychology
• PSY6206: Applied Forensic Psychology
• HPL7019: Biopsychosocial Issues in Health

Tutoring and Supervision

• Personal tutor at Levels 4, 5, and 6
• Level 6 Year Tutor
• Undergraduate supervision

Joe currently supervises MSc Health Psychology and MSc Forensic Psychology students on projects relating to care and treatment provision within forensic mental health services, physical health inequalities in forensic settings, and public attitudes towards the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances.​

Government Reports and Research Papers

• Burn, P., Strelitz, J., Luna, E., Davies, J. L., John, O. & Popis, J. (2024, April). Smoking and Mental Health: A Framework for Action in Wales. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Davies, J. L., Lawrence, D., Bagshaw, R., Watt, A. & Seage, C. H. (2024). Psychological trauma predicts obesity in patients in secure mental health services. The International Journal of Forensic Mental Health. https://doi.org/10. 1080/14999013.2024.2314544
• Hayman, C., Stubbings, D., Davies, J. L. & Payne, L. (2024). Can education limit the public's vulnerability to county lines? Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-023-00195-z
• Davies, J. L., Watt, A., Bagshaw, R., Hill, C. & Seage, C. H. (2023). Weight gain is not associated with antipsychotic medication, sociodemographic factors, or diagnosis in a Welsh secure mental health unit. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health.https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2023.2218287
• Davies, J. L., Bagshaw, R., Watt, A., Hewlett, P., & Seage, C. H. (2023). Staff perspectives on obesity within a Welsh secure psychiatric inpatient setting. Journal of Mental Health Education, Training and Practice, 18(1), 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-06-2022-0050
• ​Mills, S., & Davies, J. L. (2022, April). Making days count: a national review of secure psychiatric inpatient services. National Collaborative Commissioning Unit, Quality Assurance Improvement Service. Available from: https://nccu.nhs.wales/qais/national-reviews/making-days-count/mdc-documents/making-days-count1/

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Newsletters

• Davies, J. L. (2022, Summer). Weight gain in secure psychiatric inpatient settings; a completed PhD project. International Association for Forensic Mental Health Services newsletter. Available from: http://www.iafmhs.org/resources/Documents/Newsletter/IAFMHS%20Newsletter%202022%207(3)%20Summer.pdf

• Davies, J. L., Seage, H., Bagshaw, R.., Hewlett, P., Watt, A. (2019, Spring). What causes weight gain in secure psychiatric inpatients. International Association for Forensic Mental Health Services newsletter, 7-8. Available from: http://www.iafmhs.org/resources/Documents/Newsletter/IAFMHS%20Newsletter%202019%204(2)%20Spring.pdf
  

• ​Davies, J. L., Seage, H., Watt, A., Hewlett, P., & Bagshaw, R. (2017, December). Investigating psychological factors in the relationship between antipsychotic drugs and obesity in a secure service in-patient population. Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services newsletter (Winter), 24-25. Available from: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/ccqi/quality-networks/secure-forensic/forensic-newsletters-qnfmhs/forensic-newsletter-issue-36.pdf?sfvrsn=d2b790ce_2
  

Online Articles

• Davies, J. L. (2023). How childhood trauma can lead to obesity in people with serious mental illness. The Conversation. Retrieved from: https://theconversation.com/how-childhood-trauma-can-lead-to-obesity-in-people-with-serious-mental-illness-209636

• ​Davies, J. L. (2018). Why some people being treated with anti-psychotics gain weight. The Conversation. Retrieved from: https://theconversation.com/why-some-people-being-treated-with-anti-psychotics-gain-weight-97011

Conference Presentations

• Davies, J. L., Baghaw, R., Watt, A., Hewlett P. & Seage, H. (2023). Staff perspectives on obesity within a Welsh secure psychiatric inpatient setting. Paper presented at the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS) annual conference. Sydney, Australia, June 2023.
• Davies, J. L., Mills, S., & Clarke, A. (2021). Exploring early trauma in Welsh secure psychiatric inpatients. Poster presented at the International Trauma Informed Care in Practice conference. Online, November 2021. 10.13140/RG.2.2.22614.52806
• Davies, J. L. (2019). Understanding weight gain in secure psychiatric services. Oral presentation at the Welsh Public Health conference. Newport, Wales, October 2019.
• Davies, J. L., Seage, H., Watt, A., Hewlett, P., Bagshaw, R., & Deslandes, P. (2020). Weight gain in psychiatric inpatients was unrelated to medication, treatment duration or sociodemographic factors. Appetite, 151, 104336. Abstract of the paper presented at 43^rdBritish Feeding and Drinking Group Meeting (BFDG). Swansea, Wales, March 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104336.
• Davies, J. L., Seage, H., Watt, A., Hewlett, P., Bagshaw, R., Deslandes, P., & Hill, C. (2019). Weight gain in secure psychiatric settings: the role of routinely collected clinical measures in the mediation of obesity. Poster presented at the International Association for Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS) annual conference. Montreal, Canada, August 2019. 10.13140/RG.2.2.32680.85761.
• Davies, J. L., Hewlett, P., Seage, H., Watt, A., Bagshaw, R., & Hill, C. (2018). Weight gain in secure psychiatric settings: The role of psychological factors in the mediation of obesity. Appetite, 130, 302. Poster presented at the British Feeding and Drinking Group Meeting (BFDG). Lyon, France, March 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.05.177.
• Davies, J. L., James, D., Limbert, C., & McRae, D. (2018). Investigating job satisfaction in pharmacists undertaking new roles in GP surgeries within Wales. Poster presented at the Cwm Taf University Health Board conference. Cardiff, Wales.

Reviews

Joe is currently a reviewer for the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health and Crime Prevention and Community Safety.

I have also conducted reviews for the following journals:

• BMJOpen
• Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
• Obesity Review​

Joe obtained his undergraduate degree in Psychology and Counselling Studies at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, his MSc in Health Psychology, and his PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He is a British Psychological Society chartered psychologist (CPsychol) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He has been a full-time member of academic staff at Cardiff Met since October 2022.

Before this, Joe worked as a Senior Clinical Researcher for the Quality Assurance Improvement Service of the National Collaborative Commissioning Unit, NHS Wales. Since beginning his PhD in September 2017, Joe has regularly contributed to teaching provision at Cardiff Met. Alongside his research work, Joe also worked as an assistant psychologist within forensic mental health and rehabilitation inpatient services for a number of years.

Joe's research primarily focuses on physical health inequalities, particularly obesity, within forensic settings, however, is passionate about the improvement of care and treatment for individuals treated within forensic inpatient settings.​

Memberships

• 2024-present: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• 2023-present: Expert Advisory Panel member for Royal College of Psychiatrists Welsh Branch, Severe Mental Illness and Smoking Review
• 2022-present: Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), British Psychological Society
• 2022-present: Member of Cardiff Metropolitan University Applied Psychology Research Ethics Panel
• 2021-2022: Chair of Expert Reference Group for National Review of Secure Psychiatric Inpatient Services
• 2021-2022: Panel Member of Women in Secure Care Working Group
• 2019-present: Member of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS)

Consultations

• November 2023 – Consultation on weight gain and obesity in medium and low secure specialist inpatient service, Thornford Park, Elysium Healthcare, Thatcham, UK

Invited Talks

• April 2024: Invited to present research on secure inpatient obesity at Royal College of Psychiatrists Wales and National Collaborative Commissioning Unit collaboration event, Cardiff, Wales.
• July 2023: Invited to present findings from National Review of Secure Psychiatric Inpatient Services at Elysium Sharing Best Practice Conference, Northampton, UK
• January 2023: Invited to present a 'Careers Talk' at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Swansea, UK
• September 2022: Invited to present findings from National Review of Secure Psychiatric Inpatient Services at Caswell Clinic, Bridgend, UK

Media Engagement

• November 2023: Provided presentation of essay on The Academic Minute, USA. Psychological Trauma and its Implications on Forensic Inpatient Obesity. https://academicminute.org/2023/11/joseph-davies-cardiff-metropolitan-university-psychological-trauma-and-its-impacts-on-forensic-inpatient-obesity/
• September 2023: Interviewed on Locked Up Living Podcast. Episode 168 - Food and Obesity in Psychiatric and Forensic Populations. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AHsjwA6kODrRGAiIh1UkG?si=0_1LQviuTLWILJbBp6BYyQ

Funding

• 2024: Principal Investigator (CAWR): Public Health Wales – Understanding Vaping in Welsh Adolescents. £20,000
• 2023-2024: Consultant researcher. National Collaborative Commissioning Unit – National Review of Obesity in Welsh Individuals with Serious Mental Illness. £6,885.15
• 2017-2020: Student applicant. Knowledge-Economy Skills Scholarship-2 Doctoral Studentship. £57,510