Professor Ruth Garside is a social science researcher whose work focuses on methods for systematic review and evidence synthesis to inform decision makers. Her work has informed policy customers including the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Defra and the Home Office. She is co-Chair of the Campbell Collaboration Methods Group, a co-convenor of the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementations Methods group and co-lead of the UK Centre for the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence.

Ruth has over 20 years’ experience using quantitative and qualitative systematic review methods to investigate a range of policy relevant health, social care and environmental questions. She is particularly interested in using a broad range of evidence to investigate complex public health issues, in methods of synthesis for qualitative research and in theory led methods of review. Recent projects focus on evaluating the mental health impact of nature-based social prescribing.

She is also committed to public and patient involvement in research and is the founder of HEPE, a network of people from across Cornwall who have an interest in research about the connections between environment and health. The group aims to consult and collaborate with researchers from the Centre, ensuring that its work considers the public perspective at all stages of research, from design and conduct to dissemination. She chairs the Public Engagement Strategy Group.