Prof. Ruth Mc Govern is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health Research at the Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University. She received her BA (Hons) in Social Studies from the University of Newcastle in 1998, a Diploma in Social Work from Northumbria University in 2000, a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from Durham University in 2003, an MA in Counselling from Durham University in 2004, and a PhD in Sociology from Newcastle University in 2010. Her research interests include children and families experiencing disadvantage, alcohol and drug use, mental health, public health and social care, behaviour change, and social and psychological interventions.