Biography
I achieved a first class honours degree in psychology at the University of Dundee in 2004. After a working as a research assistant for Prof Fabio Sani on an ESRC funded project exploring perceived collective continuity between 2004 and 2006/7, I acquired an MSc in Psychological Research Methods in 2008 before embarking on a PhD. My PhD research focused on the role of places in identity processes and specifically assessed the temporal aspects of place identity and their connections with both social identity and mental health.
I moved to Nottingham Trent University in 2010 to take up the post of Lecturer before being promoted to Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor. I gained experience of teaching and research supervision at UG, PG, and PGR levels at NTU where I was also a research group lead, course leader, and programme director between 2010 and 2022.
I joined the Department of Psychology in the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in September 2022 where I teach courses in social psychology, research impact, and applying psychology on the MSc in Applied Psychology using engagement and involvement principles, community engaged learning, and active learning approaches. I am an active member of the Health and Care Technologies GRI and Director of the SOCIAL Impact Laboratory.
I approach research topics with applied, engaged, and collaborative methods and work regularly in collaboration with third sector, public sector, and policy partners. I regularly engage in outreach and public engagement activities and contribute to disciplinary citizenship in various forms including external examining, committee membership, advisory boards, and editorial roles.