Health Researcher

Specialising in Realist Evaluation and Synthesis

What I do

I evaluate mental health interventions in clinical and organisational settings, focusing on how and why they work, for whom, and under what conditions.

My research centres on evaluating complex mental health and health interventions, with a particular interest in depression, chronic illness, and well-being.

Using realist evaluation methods, I examine how people experience, engage with, and respond to interventions across different contexts.

I bring an interdisciplinary perspective, combining health research, social science, and realist methodology, with academic experience in Germany, the USA, the UK, and Canada. 

Research Expertise

  • Realist evaluation and synthesis

  • Theory-driven evaluation

  • Qualitative methods

  • Complex health interventions

  • Mental health research

  • Health services research

Academic Background

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Evidence-Based Healthcare, University of Oxford (2022)

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research, University of Oxford (2017)

  • Master of Studies in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), University of Oxford (2014)

  • Master of Arts in History of Art, Humboldt Universität, Berlin (1999)

Selected Publications

Peer reviewed articles:

  • Micklitz K, Greenhalgh J, Lo SHL, Sawatzky R, Schick-Makaroff K (2025). How are people undergoing dialysis expected to benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy? A realist analysis. Health Expectations 28(5): e70466. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70466.

  • Schick-Makaroff K, Sawatzky R, Greenhalgh J, Cukor D, Wong H, Klarenbach S, Berendonk C, Lee L, Micklitz K, Lo LSH, Kennedy M (2025). Protocol for 'Re: CBT Dialysis': A realist evaluation-why, for whom and in what circumstances does cognitive behaviour therapy work for people with depressive symptoms receiving dialysis? BMJ Open 15(6): e090228. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090228.

  • Micklitz K, Wong G, Howick J (2021). Mindfulness-based programmes to reduce stress and enhance well-being at work: A realist review. BMJ Open, 11:e043525. https://doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043525.

Conference presentations:

  • Micklitz K, Greenhalgh J, Lo SHL, Sawatzky R, Schick-Makaroff K (2025). Cognitive behavioural therapy for people with depressive symptoms receiving dialysis: A realist evaluation perspective. 2025 International Conference for Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis, Atlanta, USA.

Professional Background

I am currently part of a 4-year funded research project at the University of Alberta, Canada, examining how, why, for whom, and under what circumstances cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) reduces depressive symptoms in people receiving dialysis.

Before moving into academic research, I worked across private, public, and non-profit sectors in mental health, leadership development, and cross-cultural communication. This experience provides a practical understanding of organisational settings, the people working within them, and the challenges involved in translating ideas and interventions into practice.

I continue to contribute to knowledge exchange through talks and workshops on mental health in organisational settings.

Contact

For collaborations or enquiries, please contact me at:
katrinm.micklitz@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrin-micklitz

Full CV (PDF)