I joined University of Gloucestershire in 2018 as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant after previously earning my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the university in 2008. In August 2023, I transitioned into my current role as a Lecturer in Psychology, contributing to diverse modules across the undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programmes.
My academic interests are wide-ranging but centred around health psychology, mental health, lived experiences in real-world contexts, critical examinations of stereotyping and discrimination, and the social constructions surrounding neurodivergence, particularly ADHD. My research frequently challenges established paradigms, examining power dynamics, structural inequalities, and their profound effects on individuals and societal groups.
Before returning to academia full-time, I gained invaluable practical experience working as a palliative support worker for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families. Additionally, I spent 8 years teaching A Level Psychology, during 7 of which I also undertook pastoral leadership as a manager in a large sixth-form college, enhancing my commitment to student wellbeing and academic success.
Outside of academia, I am also a governor for a local primary school, where I contribute to strategic decision-making, support educational development, and advocate for inclusive practices that meet the diverse needs of all pupils.
British Psychological Society (BPS)
My teaching approach emphasises critical thinking, fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages students to question assumptions, explore diverse perspectives, and apply psychological knowledge in real-world contexts.
My current doctoral research explores the lived experiences of parents caring for children who are life-threatened or life-limited. Utilising Meta-Ethnography and Narrative Analysis, my research aims to synthesise qualitative literature to provide deeper insights into parental caregiving within complex emotional and relational landscapes.
As a critical social psychologist, I predominantly employ qualitative methodologies, focusing on in-depth explorations of lived experiences, particularly among marginalised or under-represented populations. My research critically interrogates how societal constructions of knowledge influence psychological practice, clinical interventions, and broader human behaviour. Specifically, I investigate experiences associated with psychological trauma neurodivergence and PTSD, examining how these conditions are understood, treated, and socially constructed within diverse populations.