Shirley's main research interest is in the psychological aspects of stroke, particularly the assessment and treatment of mood problems following stroke. She completed a multicentre randomised controlled trial of behaviour therapy to treat low mood in people who have aphasia following a stroke, funded by the Stroke Association (CALM trial). She is currently leading an NIHR-HTA funded feasibility trial of behavioural activation for post-stroke depression (BEADS trial). She is a collaborator on a range of other studies including a biopsychosocial intervention for stroke carers, solution focused brief therapy for people with aphasia and peer befriending for people with aphasia.