Welcome to our blog!
The psychology department at Northumbria comprises of more than 70 permanent academic staff, and more than 2500 students studying across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.
Staff expertise in the psychology department can be broadly separated in to three research clusters; Health and Wellbeing, Evolution and Social Interaction and Cognition and Neuroscience. You can use the menu to see recent posts from each of the research groups, or listen to our brand new podcast: The Big 5. Staff also share posts about innovative approaches to learning and teaching.
Our undergraduate courses include specialisms in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, business psychology, health psychology and experimental psychology. We also offer postgraduate qualifications in Health Psychology, Occupational and Organisational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology and Psychological Research Methods, as well as on-campus and distance learning Psychology Conversion programmes for people who would like to make a career change in to psychology. You can view posts from our students about their experience of studying psychology using the menu
We know that many aspiring psychologists would like to hear from academics and practitioners about careers advice, so please check out our Careers in Psychology section for interviews with academics and practioners in psychology and related fields, as well as our graduates.
Latest from the Blog
The Big 5 Episode 18: Dr. Faye Horsley “Why do some people engage adaptively with fire while others go on to misuse it?”
On this smoking hot episode, Dr. Faye Horsley tells us about her work on the human fire relationship. She talks about why people use fire and how we can prevent its misuse. She also tells us about her new book: New Perspectives on Arson and Firesetting: The Human-Fire Relationship. Show notes: If you want a…
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The Big 5 Ep 17 Kristans Nemkovics “I embarked on this journey to find the pillars that are important to succeed in your studies.”
In this episode, Kristians Nemkovics tells us about studying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kristians went on a journey to develop new health sleep, study and eating habits. Kristians gives students advice on how to succeed at university. Show notes: For more information on developing good study habits check out this advice from the Amercian Psychological…
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The Big 5 Episode 16: Dr. Micheal Smith “I sometimes feel stressed in my day to day life. What can I do about it?”
On this episode of The Big 5, Dr. Micheal Smith tells us about a simple way to reduce stress: writing about a positive event in our lives. This episode is our second installment in honor of Stress Awareness Month. Show notes: Want to read more about Micheal’s research? You can find more about him on…
Keep readingThe Big 5 Episode 15: Dr. Mark Wetherell “We know that we all get stressed, but actually understanding how and when it happens is really important”
On this episode of the Big 5, Professor Mark Wetherell takes us on a freefalling tour de stress through bears, skydiving, multitasking, and helicopter rescue! We discuss how stress enters the body, the benefits and drawbacks of stress, and how worrying about jumping out of a plane is worse than actually jumping out of one.…
Keep readingThe Big 5 Episode 14: Dr. Jenny Paterson ” Meghan and Harry being in the media had the power to reduce prejudice”
On this episode of The Big 5, Dr. Jenny Paterson tells us about how Harry and Meghan are changing attitudes about interracial couples! From the royal wedding to baby Archie and Megxit, Jenny takes us through the ways in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reduced prejudice. We also discuss the importance of…
Keep readingA plant-enriched diet for a healthy mind (and a longer life!)
Its Nutrition and Hydration Week! In this blog, Dr Philippa Jackson tells us about the beneficial effects plants can have on our mental and physical wellbeing, and the exciting research of our Brain, Performance Nutrition Research Centre #NHWeek
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The Big 5 Episode 13: Annabelle Noble “[an internship] just gives you some really good employability skills.” (paid internships)
In this episode, student Annabelle Noble, tells us about what it was like to do a paid internship. We talk about the skills she developed and the final work she produced which is currently influencing research practice at Northumbria University. She also gives some great advice to other students about how to make the most…
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The Big 5 Episode 12: Ansel Lawson “A lot of [trans and non-binary] people said that the North East was like freedom to them.”
In honor of LGBTQ history month, on this episode Ansel Lawson tells us about their experience as a trans student at Northumbria University and talks about their research on well-being in trans and non-binary people living in the North East, UK. Show notes: Trans, non-binary, or gender diverse and looking for support? Check out Gires…
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The Big 5 Episode 12: Dr. Amy Newman “We found that bisexual and queer people were significantly more likely to have experienced harmful sexual behaviors”
In honor of LGBTQ history month, on this episode, Dr. Amy Newman tells us about her research on the prevalence of sexual assualt in gender and relationship diverse couples. We also discuss the need for more inclusive laws and sex education. CW: sexual assault, coercive sex, relationship violence. Show notes: Looking for support after a…
Keep readingASMR is linked to anxiety and neuroticism, our new research finds
In this post, Dr Jo Greer tells us about her latest study which suggests ASMR could have potential as an intervention to reduce anxiety.
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The Big 5 Episode 10: Lee Shepherd “Anger is appropriate and legitimate when someone has dehumanized you through sexual objectification” (Funded PhD opportunity)
In this episode, Dr. Lee Shepherd tells us about his work on emotions and sexual objectification. He discusses how it feels to be objectified and why it’s so important to study this issue to prevent objectification from occuring and to help support victims. We also discuss a funded PhD opportunity to study the causes and…
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The Big 5 Episode 9: Nicki O’Brien “Developing visual communication methods for health challenges” (Funded PhD opportunity)
On this episode of The Big 5, Dr. Nicki O’Brien tells us about her innovative work using animated GIFs to teach people about COVID-19 health behaviors like mask wearing and hand washing in Guatemala. She also discusses a funded PhD project starting October 2022. Applications due February 18, 2022. Show notes: To follow Nicki on…
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Northumbria University Psychology Department 