Ben graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University as a registered mental health nurse in 2005. He has an MSc in Psychosocial Interventions and is currently working towards a PhD. Ben has worked within addiction services, primary care mental health, and higher education. He is a registered nurse teacher and a senior fellow with the Higher Education Academy. Ben has a keen interest in psychological approaches and trained as a cognitive behavioural therapist and clinical supervisor. He is the chair of the nursing department research ethics committee at Glasgow Caledonian University and an expert member/vice-chair with the NHS West of Scotland research ethics committee 3. He has published widely and is a member of the editorial advisory board for Mental Health Practice.

Research interests include adult mental health, mindfulness, psychological therapies, nurse education, systematic reviews, writing for publication, research ethics, and mixed methods research.