The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Martha's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Martha
Senior Research Fellow, School and Nursing and Midwifery
Research Lead, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise
Research Lead, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise
Research interests
- Health inequities and the social determinants of health
- Health promotion and improving access to care for vulnerable and marginalised populations, including people experiencing homelessness and severe disadvantage, asylum seekers and refugees, children in care and care leavers, and autistic children and young people
- Integrated, trauma-informed, and person-centred models of care
Teaching
- MSc-Advanced Concepts in Research (School of Nursing and Midwifery)
- Supervision of MSc Dental Projects in Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology, Endodontics, Orthodontics (Peninsula Dental School)
- Year 2 Inter-professional Engagement Module (Peninsula Dental School)
Qualifications
PhD - Public Health Dentistry, University of Plymouth
Associate HEA Fellowship in Teaching, University of Plymouth
MMedSci - Human Nutrition, University of Sheffield
MEd - Physical Education, Semmelweis University
Associate HEA Fellowship in Teaching, University of Plymouth
MMedSci - Human Nutrition, University of Sheffield
MEd - Physical Education, Semmelweis University
Memberships
Martha Paisi is a Senior Research Fellow in Public Health at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Research Lead at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), the clinical provider of Peninsula Dental School. She also holds an Honorary Senior Research Fellow position at Peninsula Dental School.
In addition, Martha holds an honorary academic appointment with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
Interests
Martha is an academic leader in health equity research, focusing on improving care for individuals with multiple, complex and intersecting needs. She leads and collaborates on a portfolio of funded research as Chief Investigator and Co-Investigator, addressing inequalities in health and access to services among vulnerable and marginalised populations. Her work spans severe and multiple disadvantage (including homelessness and substance or alcohol use), asylum seekers and refugees, care-experienced children and care leavers, and autistic children and young people.
Methodologically, Martha has extensive expertise in systematic and scoping reviews, mixed-methods research, and advanced analysis of primary and secondary datasets. Her research is underpinned by inclusive and participatory approaches, working in partnership with communities to ensure meaningful involvement and real-world impact.
She contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate education within the Faculty of Health and provides strategic supervision and mentorship to PhD students, pre- and postdoctoral researchers, NIHR fellows, and specialty trainees. Martha leads the Southwest Oral Health Inclusion Group, driving regional collaboration to improve access to oral healthcare for underserved populations and strengthen inclusive service delivery.
Her research has influenced policy and practice nationally, contributing to the co-development of innovative, nationally recognised dental care pathways tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups. She is a committed advocate for multidisciplinary, inclusive health systems that reduce inequities and translate research into sustainable service improvement.
Contact Martha
+44 1752 586569
martha.paisi@plymouth.ac.uk
