I qualified in medicine and psychology at the University of London, completing child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) training and my doctorate at the University of Manchester. In 2022 I was appointed as a professor at the Hull and York Medical School, University of York. I have always been a clinical academic, integrating my research and clinical skills, together with my knowledge of policy, essential for translating research into practice. My main research interest is in mood disorders with expertise in large clinical trials.  I am currently the chief investigator of the multi-site UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) BAY trial of web-based Behavioural Activation in young people with depression in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). I have previously been the chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) CAP faculty, which involved frequent media communications, parliamentary and national policy advisory work, as well as leading on the impact of the ecological crisis on mental health and online safety. I remain a spokesperson for RCPsych on online safety and am leading on an update of our position statement. I continue with my work on the environment and mental health as a member of the international organisation Developmental Scientists for Climate Action, and am a co-investigator of the York University pilot trial of Forest School in the UK (FINCH). I am also a co-investigator of the £7.6 million UKRI funded York Smart Data Donation Service for understanding digital lives, and co-PI for the en-CAMHS study of referrals to CAMHS with the University of Manchester. I was appointed editor in chief of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health in 2020, and have overseen the growth of its impact factor from 2.1 to 6.8, by focusing on quality and issues of global relevance. I also work closely with European colleagues in the Union of European Medical Specialities to improve standards for CAP training, including in research. I am currently the treasurer for the CAP section and president elect.