Avril is an internationally recognised public health researcher. Her work focuses on outdoor play, and its role in reducing inequalities in children’s physical and mental health. Her research integrates mixed methods approaches, including intervention development and evaluation, systems mapping, and qualitative research with children.

 

Prior to academia, she worked as a playworker, giving her firsthand insight into how play shapes children’s health and wellbeing. This experience underpins her sustained commitment to translating evidence into real-world impact.

 

Avril’s work informs policy, regulatory guidance, and practitioner training, she contributed to the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play and she serves as a non-executive director of Actify CIC, supporting the translation of research evidence into actionable policy and practice.