Dr Cairns’s research experience is primarily in applied research commissioned to inform public policy. Dr Cairns has conducted research for the EU, the UK and Scottish Governments and the international non-for-profit sector. Specialist areas of research interest include commercial determinants of health, particularly the identification of effective and proportionate food and drink marketing policy controls,  generating evidence to support pro-health behaviour change, and generating evidence to support the development of, and evaluate the impact of, health related risk communications.