Dr Thomas Kersey

Tom's main research interests are in the experiences of veterans with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and the use of creative methods in research.

Tom's current research focuses on how the culture of the military informs how veterans live with and manage their pain and how armed forces veterans adapt to life with disability.

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Background

Tom gained his BA (Hons) in Fine Art Practice from the University of Suffolk in 2013. He moved to Chester to study Art Therapy in 2015, where he completed his training at Combat Stress.

Tom wrote his Master’s thesis under the supervision of Professor Alan Finnegan at the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans, sparking his interest in research, leading him to a studentship at ARU's Veterans and Families Institute (VFI) in 2018, gaining his doctorate in 2022.

He is part of collective that runs the Arts, Health and Wellbeing Network at ARU.

Research interests

• Military veterans and families
• Chronic pain
• Physical disabilities
• Creative methods

Teaching

Level 5 Creative Enquiry module - Facilitator

Qualifications

• PhD, Anglia Ruskin University (2018 – 2022)
• MA Art Therapy, University of Chester (2015-2017)
• BA (Hons) Fine Art Practice, University of Suffolk (2010 – 2013)

Memberships, editorial boards

Associate member, British Association of Art Therapists.

Selected recent publications

Castle, C., Engward, H., Kersey, T. et al (2022) 'The Mystery Arts Box Project: a qualitative exploration of the experiences, benefits, and challenges of participating in a remotely delivered art and craft project for British veterans with visual impairment', BMJ Mil Health Published Online. Available at: https://doi.o10.1136/military-2022-002174

Engward, H., Goldspink, S., Iancu, M., Kersey, T. and Wood, A. (2022) 'Togetherness in Separation: Practical Considerations for Doing Remote Qualitative Interviews Ethically', International Journal of Qualitative Methods. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211073212

Castle, C.L., Engward, H. and Kersey, T. (2021) 'Arts activity and wellbeing for visually impaired veterans: a narrative discussion of current knowledge', Public Health, Special Edition: Arts, Creativity and Health, 194, pp. 232-237. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.03.010

Recent presentations and conferences

Kersey, T. (2023) 'Narratives of Chronic Pain in Armed Forces Veterans', Veterans Mental Health Conference 2023, London (UK), 7 March.

Goldspink, S. and Kersey, T. (2023) 'Togetherness in Separation: Practical Considerations for Doing Remote Qualitative Interviews Ethically', 14th Annual Qualitative Report Conference, Florida (US), 16-18 February.

Kersey, T. (2022) 'Communicating Pain', CIMVHR Forum 2022, Nova Scotia (CA), 17-19 October.