Dr Coleman's research mostly focuses on the epidemiology of gastrointestinal cancers and pre-malignant conditions, with particular strengths in Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. She has specialist training in molecular pathology epidemiology and nutritional epidemiology. 

Her research mostly incorporates data analysis from population-based registers, existing cohort and case-control studies, and systematic reviews of these study designs, as well as applying community-based interventions to address underlying risk factors.