Lolita Alfred
Contact details
About
Overview
Dr Lolita Alfred is a Senior Lecturer and Admissions Lead for Mental Health Nursing. She is an NMC-registered Mental Health Nurse and holds a recordable teaching qualification with the NMC. In recognition of her academic leadership and commitment to supporting and delivering a high standard of education, she was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Alfred has held various professional roles within the NHS. She has remained committed to enhancing clinical practice, for example, collaborating with colleagues at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on advancing Clinical Supervision, and informing the development of the RCN's first Position Statement on Clinical Supervision. Her areas of clinical expertise include (but are not limited to) forensic mental health, formulation, alcohol use, and public health. She has worked on alcohol harm prevention and harm reduction initiatives at local, regional, and international levels.
In academia, Dr Alfred has previously held other roles, including Programme Leader, Academic Field Lead, and Practice Education Lead for Mental Health Nursing. She has led and taught a range of pre and post-registration modules. Currently, she serves as module leader for the cross-field MSc & BSc modules on Integrated Care and Management of Long Term Conditions.
Dr Alfred’s research interests are aligned with her professional background, and she has experience in designing and using qualitative research methods. She supervises MSc & MA projects and welcomes enquiries for doctoral research in the areas of alcohol research, public health, emotional health and wellbeing.
Qualifications
- PhD, Lancaster University, United Kingdom
- MSc (MPH), Teesside University, United Kingdom
- BSc, Teesside University, United Kingdom
- RMN, Teesside University, United Kingdom
Postgraduate training
Administrative roles
- Practice Education Lead for Mental Health, City, University of London and East London Foundation Trust, 2022 - 2024
- Admissions Lead for Mental Health, City, University of London, 2020 - present
Memberships of professional organisations
- Royal College of Nursing, March 2004 - present
- Registered Nurse - Mental Health, Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2004 - present
Awards
- City, University of London (2023). Enhancement of Student Experience Award (2023)
- International Journal of Drugs, Habits and Social Policy (2022). Literati Award Winner for Outstanding Reviewer (2022)
- University of Hull (2016). Merit Award for Excellence in Admissions
- University of Hull Best Supervisor (Taught) Students Union Award Nomination (2019)
Languages
English (can read, write, speak, understand spoken, peer review), Ndebele, North; North Ndebele (can read, write, speak, understand spoken) and Shona (can read, write, speak, understand spoken)
Publications
Featured publications
- Walker, J. and Alfred, L. (2022). Is the preconception period suitable for alcohol prevention? A narrative scoping review of women’s and Health Care Professional’s views. 5th European Conference on Preconception Health and Care 22-23 September.
- Masamha, R., Alfred, L., Harris, R., Bassett, S., Burden, S. and Gilmore, A. (2022). ‘Barriers to overcoming the barriers': A scoping review exploring 30 years of clinical supervision literature. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(9), pp. 2678-2692. doi:10.1111/jan.15283
- Alfred, L., Limmer, M. and Cartwright, S. (2020). An integrative literature review exploring the impact of alcohol workplace policies. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 14(1), pp. 87-110. doi:10.1108/ijwhm-10-2019-0130
Publications by category
Book
- Howard, V. and Alfred, L. (2024). Formulation in Mental Health Nursing.
Chapters (7)
- Masamha, R. and Alfred, L. (2025). Applying diverse recovery-based principles in practice. In Cliffton, A., Hemmingway, S. and Felton, A. (Eds.), Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing (pp. 347-357). Wiley Blackwell.
- Howard, V. and Alfred, L. (2024). Understanding Human Distress and an Invitation to Explore the Myriads of Formulation. Formulation in Mental Health Nursing (pp. 1-25). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783031599552.
- Howard, V. and Alfred, L. (2024). Perspectives on Formulation Within Current Mental Health Nursing Practice. Formulation in Mental Health Nursing (pp. 27-50). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783031599552.
- Alfred, L. and Masamha, R. (2024). Formulation Considerations for Individuals Experiencing Emotional Distress and Substance Use. Formulation in Mental Health Nursing (pp. 119-145). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783031599552.
- Alfred, L., Williamson, B. and Mudimu, C. (2024). Formulation to Support Individuals Who Are Experiencing Emotional Distress and Associated Self-Harm. Formulation in Mental Health Nursing (pp. 147-160). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783031599552.
- Howard, V. and Alfred, L. (2024). Postscript. Formulation in Mental Health Nursing (pp. 189-197). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783031599552.
- Munro, M. and Alfred, L. (2023). Alcohol use in forensic mental health and criminal justice settings. In Cooper, D.B. (Ed.), Alcohol Use: Assessment, Withdrawal Management, Treatment and Therapy Ethical Practice Springer Nature. ISBN 9783031183812.
Conference papers and proceedings (2)
- Alfred, L. (2024). Making a case for health promotion theoretically underpinned policies and practices around alcohol in workplace settings. Lisbon Addictions 2024 23 October, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Walker, J. and Alfred, L. (2022). Is the preconception period suitable for alcohol prevention? A narrative scoping review of women’s and Health Care Professional’s views. 5th European Conference on Preconception Health and Care 22-23 September, London.
Internet publications (4)
- Alfred, L., Walker, J. and Smith, L.(2024).Merencanakan kehamilan? Pertimbangkan berhenti minum alkohol sebelum dan selama kehamilan. The Conversation.
- Walker, J., Smith, L., Hilton, A., Alfred, L., Scholin, L. and Ahankari, A.(2024).HVs’ role in providing alcohol advice to women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Institute for Health Visiting.
- Alfred, L., Walker, J. and Smith, L.(2023).Planning for a baby? Why both men and women should consider quitting alcohol before and during pregnancy. The Conversation UK.
- Walker, J., Smith, L., Hilton, A., Alfred, L., Lisa, S. and Anand, A.(2023).Promoting an alcohol-free (dry) pregnancy not just for Dry January. Institute of Health Visiting.
Journal articles (7)
- Alfred, L. and Emmanuel, A. (2025). Non-alcoholic beverages can help reduce alcohol consumption among adults who drink excessively. Evidence Based Nursing, 28(3), pp. 121-121. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2023-103920
- Alfred, L. and Udushirinwa, C.C. (2025). Factors that can enhance resilience in mental health nursing staff who work in high-secure forensic hospitals. Evid Based Nurs, 28(3), pp. 97. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2024-103950
- Smith, L., Hilton, A., Walker, J., Alfred, L., Ahankari, A. and Schölin, L. (2022). Prevention of alcohol related harm though preconception care: A scoping review of barriers and enablers. Dialogues in Health, 1. doi:10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100040
- Fishburn, K.E. and Alfred, L. (2021). Consider opportunities to build resilience with individuals who experience suicidal ideas and behaviours following stressful life events. Evidence Based Nursing, 24(3), pp. 106-106. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103301
- Alfred, L. (2020). The challenges and opportunities for incorporating gray literature in an integrative literature review. Sage Research Methods. doi:10.4135/9781529740844
- Alfred, L. (2019). Routine health checks can provide opportunities for alcohol health promotion in older adults who identify as responsible drinkers. Evidence Based Nursing, 22(3), pp. 91-91. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103082
- Alfred, L. and Howard, V. (2019). Blunted stress reactivity is a distinctive feature in clinically depressed patients. Evidence Based Nursing, 22(3), pp. 73-73. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2018-103001
Professional activities
Clinical activity (2)
- Practice Education Lead, 2022 - 2024
- Link Lecturer - West & North West London, 2021 - present
Editorial activity (5)
- International Journal of Drug Policy, Editorial Board Member, 2022 - present.
- International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Reviewer, 2019 - present.
- International Journal of Drugs Habits & Social Policy (formerly Drugs and Alcohol Today), Reviewer, 2019 - present.
- International Journal of Drug Policy, Reviewer, 2019 - present.
- Journal of Mental Health Education Training and Practice, Reviewer, 2017 - present.
Other
- External Examiner for BSc & MSc Nursing Programmes , Oxford Brookes University ( 2020 - 2024).