Valerie has worked extensively on research projects aimed at improving our understanding about doctor/patient communication, especially that around randomised clinical trials. The training materials she developed with colleagues are now being used throughout the UK trials community and in other parts of the world. She has also been the principle investigator for several studies examining the impact of chemotherapy and aromatase inhibitors on cognition in national and international trials, and also the effectiveness of acupuncture to ameliorate xerostomia in patients treated for head and neck cancer, and yoga for women recovering from breast cancer surgery.