Dr Best’s research has focused on areas relating to digital mental health, dementia care, participatory data analyses and physical activity. He has developed a new theoretical model for online help seeking and has published a systematic review regarding the impact of online technologies on adolescent well-being. Dr Best is also a keen supporter of user involvement within research and, along with colleagues in the Centre for Public Health, has developed a novel approach to participatory data analyses known as Participatory Theme Elicitation.

Dr Best has been successful at attracting a number of grants as Principal Investigator relating to digital mental health and dementia care. He is also a Co-I on four other funded projects (totalling £341,584 of grant income) related to either mental health or digital mental health. These projects include the development of an online, peer-led, support group for depression; an evaluation of the Dementia NI service; an online social prescribing platform for suicide bereavement; an evaluation of community delivered trauma focussed CBT for young people and the coproduction of physical activity based programmes for those with enduring mental health issues.