Here you can find our most recent posts, so you can see whats happening in the department
The Big 5 S2 Ep16: Millie Dobinson on The Benefits of an Internship
On this episode, Millie Dobinson tells us about her experience as an intern at a market research company. She talks about the skills she’s developed and the benefits of students taking part in internships. Show notes: If you’re a student who wants to find out more about internship placements for next year please contact scott.houghton@northumbria.ac.uk…
The Big 5 S2 Ep 15: Georgia Punton on Sleep Deprivation and Brain Function
On this episode, Georgia Punton tells us about her PhD work on how sleep affects how we are able to control our thoughts. Her work links sleep deprivation and hallucinations and posits that hallucinations may be more likely for everyone when we are sleep deprived. Show notes: To find out more about Georgia’s work you…
The Big 5 S2 Ep 14: Dr. Sarah Allen on Trauma Informed Teaching and Student Support in Higher Education
On this episode of The Big 5, Dr. Sarah Allen discusses her research on trauma informed teaching and student support in higher education. We discuss the types of trauma that students have experienced and how it can affect their learning and adaptation to university life. Show notes: For more on Sarah’s work you can visit…
The Big 5 S2 Ep13: Dr. Santosh Vijaykumar on Health Misinformation
On this episode, Dr. Santosh Vijaykumar tells us about the sea of health misinformation on the internet and how researchers are working to understand and combat misinformation. We also discuss CHIRP, the Cognitive and Health Infodemics Research Programme, an interdisciplinary research group at Northumbria University studying misinformation from multiple perspectives. Show notes: If you’re intersted…
The Big 5 S2 Ep12: Dr. Laura Farrugia and Professor Gavin Oxburgh on Effective Police Questioning
On this episode, Dr. Laura Farrugia and Professor Gavin Oxburgh tell us about their work on effective police questioning and the app they are developing to help police officers become better questioners. Show notes: You can find out more about Laura’s work here. You can find out more about Gavin’s work here. Remember you can…
The Big 5 S2 Ep11: Dr. Amanda Rotella on How We Choose Our Social Partners
On this episode Dr. Amanda Rotella tells us about her research on social competition and how we use social signals to choose our friends, romantic partners, and preferred colleagues. We talk about how and why these judgements are useful and why they’re adaptive in a biological market where we have limited resources and choices. Show…
The Big 5 S2 Ep10: Richard Rawlings on Rural and Urban Dating App Usage by LGBTQ+ Individuals
On this episode we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Richard Rawlings who tells us about his research exploring the ways in which LGBTQ+ people use dating apps to form connections in rural and urban settings. We discuss resilience and how both the city and country offer different challenges and opportunities for queer people to find…
The Big 5 S2 Ep. 9: Carolina Are on Deplatforming, Sexism, and Cancel Culture
Dr. Carolina Are is an Innovation Fellow at the Centre for Digital Citizens. The Centre for Digital Citizens is a joint initiative with colleagues at Newcastle and Northumbria University from computing, design, law, and psychology who study how to make the internet a safer place for everyone. Carolina’s work centres on understanding why certain people…
The Big 5 S2 Episode 8: Juli Moncada on the Importance of Being a Student Rep
This week Juli tells us about her work as a student representative and the importance of having students who can advocate for student needs. We also discuss the wonderful opportunities that arise from student rep work. Show notes: You can get in touch with Juli on her LinkedIn page. To find out more about the…
The Big 5 S2 Episode 7: Harry Clelland on the Importance of Communicating Statistics Accurately
On this episode of The Big 5 Dr. Harry Clelland tells us about his work on using different types of language to communicate statistics. His work has the potential to inform medical professionals and health communicators about the best way to communicate risk to patients and the public. Show notes: To find out more about…
The Big 5 S2 Ep 6: Dr. Lisa Thomas on Career Paths in Academia
On this episode of The Big 5, Dr. Lisa Thomas tells us about her path to becoming a university lecturer and the strong women role models who supported her journey. Show notes: You can stay up to date with Lisa’s research on Twitter @drlthomas If you’re interested in continuing your academic career you can look…
The Big 5 Season 2 Episode 5: Dominik Polasek on Studying Sleep at Harvard University
On this episode, Dominik Polasek tells us about his summer as a visiting research assistant at Harvard University’s Sleep Lab. We also discuss how to get involved in research in the department and find your own international internship. Show notes: If you’d like to learn more about sleep research at Harvard you can check out…
The Big 5 Season 2 Episode 5: Eating disorder and parapsychology communities online with Claire Murphy-Morgan
On this special Halloween episode, Claire Murphy-Morgan tells us about the links between art and psychology, treating eating disorders remotely, and the online communities that are discussing parapsychology. We talk all things parapsychology: ghosts, near-death experiences, and spooky Wikipedia editors. Show notes: If you’d like to keep up with the Remote Healthcare for Eating Disorders…
The Big 5 with Anna Maughan on Medical Conspiracy Theories
On this episode, Anna Maughan tells us about her work on conspiracy theories and how emotions may play a role in who is susceptible to them. We also discuss the possible negative effects of medical conspiracy theories. Show notes: You can follow Anna’s work on Twitter @annafmaughan. You can read one of Anna’s papers on…
The Big 5 Season 2 Episode 2 with Connor Leslie
On this episode Connor Leslie tells us about her work on agression detection from both an evolutionary and forensic psychology perspective. Connor discusses the importance of detecting agression for preventing violence. Look out for those aggressive behaviors and try to avoid them on the International Day of Non-violence! #internationaldayofnonviolence Show notes: To follow Connor’s research…
The Big 5 Season 2 Episode 1: Charl Emmerson on Workplace Bullying
On this episode Charl Emmerson, PhD student at Northumbria, tells us about her research on workplace bullying. Charl will be attending the 13th Internation Association of Workplace Bullying Conference in San Diego, California to share her work with fellow researchers, but you can get a sneak peak in this episode Charl discusses what can cause…
Tackle loneliness with a little help from your friends
To mark #LonelinessAwarenessWeek one of our PhD students, Alexandra Thompson, tells us about her work on preventing loneliness in older adults
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…
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…
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…
The 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.…
The 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…
A 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
![The Big 5 Episode 13: Annabelle Noble “[an internship] just gives you some really good employability skills.” (paid internships)](https://northumbriapsy.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pexels-photo-414645.jpeg?w=1200&h=900&crop=1)
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…
![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.”](https://northumbriapsy.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/pexels-photo-1317534.jpeg?w=1200&h=900&crop=1)
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…
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…
ASMR 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.
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…
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…
The Big 5 Episode 8 Alyson Dodd “Measuring student well-being in line with student priorities” (PhD opportunity)
On this episode, Alyson tells us about her research on student well-being and what students struggle with during their transition to university. She also tells us about a funded PhD studentship opportunity! (See link below.) Shownotes: Find Dr. Alyson Dodd: on Twitter @alysondodd and on her staff profile. You can learn more about SMaRteN and…
Funded PhD Opportunity: Understanding persuasive effects of message framing for vaccination uptake in university students
In this post, Dr Angela Rodrigues and Dr Nicki O’Brien discuss their current vacancy for a PhD programme investigating vaccination uptake in university students.
The Big 5 podcast: Episode 7 Sarah Docherty “I wondered for over 70 year olds, what would you want to improve in your life.”
This week PhD student, Sarah Docherty, tells us about her research on the pandemic’s effect on elderly adults and her surprising results on what health means to older adults. Sarah also has some advice for PhD students on being successful during your studies.
Always forget to keep your New Year’s resolutions? Smoking and drinking could be why
In this post, researchers in our Cognition and Neuroscience research group talk about the impact smoking and alcohol can have on memory
The Big 5 Ep 6: Pam Briggs “Cybersecurity… a human centred issue.”
On this episode of The Big 5, Professor Pam Briggs tells us about her work on how understanding human behavior and emotions help us improve cyber security.
Funded PhD Opportunity: Coordination in Context
In this post, Dr. Merryn Constable, Dr. Kris McCarty and Prof. Nick Neave discuss their current vacancy for a PhD programme that aims to understand how humans optimise coordination.
Funded PhD Opportunity: Languageless visual messages to prevent Covid-19 transmission
In this post, Dr Nicki O’Brien, Dr Santosh Vijaykumar, Dr Michael Craig and Ellie Land discuss their current vacancy for a PhD programme to develop GIFs to promote Covid-19 preventive behaviours in Latin America and the UK
Funded PhD Opportunity: Understanding the nature of sleep disturbances in caregivers for people with dementia with Lewy bodies
In this post, Dr. Greg Elder, Dr. Daniel Rippon, and Professor Jason Ellis highlight their available PhD project focussing on sleep disturbances in caregivers for people with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Funded PhD Opportunity: “Get offline and back in the kitchen” Understanding online misogyny’s causes and consequences
In this blog post we discuss the dangers of online misogyny. We propose a PhD research project examining the experience of online misogyny and understanding who perpetrates online misogyny.
Postgraduate Research Degrees in Psychology
In this post, members of the departmental management team discuss what its like to complete a postgraduate research degree in the department, and how to find opportunities for funding
Funded PhD Opportunity: Developing a framework of community well-being in universities
In this post, Dr Alyson Dodd, Dr Libby Orme and Dr Lisa Thomas discuss their current vacancy for a PhD programme investigating community well-being in universities
The Big 5 Episode 6: Barbora Duskova “You get to know yourself, what you like, and what you want to do as your career.”
Today is National Philanthropy Day, a time to reflect on how we can volunteer our time and money to help others. On this episode of the podcast, Northumbria Psychology student, Barbora Duskova tells us about her experience volunteering for the European Federation of Psychology Students Association and working in Dr. Katri Cornelisson’s lab as a…
Sleeping longer than 6.5 hours a night associated with cognitive decline according to research – what’s really going on here?
In this post, Dr Greg Elder talks about research showing that too much sleep might not be a good thing!
The Big 5: Episode 4 Jen Merritt “I just kind of want to continue doing research in my career.”
This week on The Big 5 Northumbria Psychology Department alumni, Jen Merritt, gives us some tips and tricks for succeeding at a Level 6 dissertation project and also talks about how to get a job with the NHS. You can get in touch with Jen on her LinkedIn account. You can get in touch with…
The Big 5 episode 3: Dr. Nick Neave on Digital Hoarding “We keep possessions and form attachment to possessions. That’s what humans do.”
On #CleanYourVirtualDesktopDay, Dr. Nick Neave tells us about his research on Digital Hoarding. We learn more about how humans anthropomorphise their possessions and why we have such a hard time throwing things away. Show notes: You can find the transcript of this episode here: Episode 3 Nick Neave transcript.docx For more information on Nick’s research,…
Understanding Menopause
Its World Menopause Day. In this post, Professor Crystal Haskell-Ramsay explains the basics of menopause and tell us about her teams current research projects.
Understanding the harms of hate crime
This week is Hate Crime Awareness Week. To mark the week, Dr Jenny Paterson and Prof Mark Walters tell us about the impact of hate crime and how their work has informed policy and practice linked to hate crime prevention
Northumbria researchers win Prolific Grant Competition
A team in our department were the overall winners of the Prolific Grant Competition, providing valuable funding for research on risk perception. In this post, Richard Brown tells us about the winning project!
Treatments for Mental Health Problems
In this blog Dr David Smailes takes a look at some data on how well mental health treatments work versus treatments for other health problems and talks about a key reason why we may have stalled in developing novel, more effective treatments.
Why do we dream?
Have you ever wondered why we dream? Professor Jason Ellis explores it in this blog
The Big 5 podcast: Chantelle Francis “There is a bigger picture to academic attainment.”
On this episode, on Child Health Day, Chantelle tells us about her experience on the MSc Conversion course which led her to a PhD on pupil well-being. We discuss some of her work on children’s, teachers’, and parents’ views on schooling during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
COVID smell loss can have profound effects on your life, from weight change to intimacy barriers
In this post, Professor Vincent Deary and Dr Duika Burges Watson discuss how COVID smell loss can have profound effects on life, from weight change to intimacy barriers
Pseudoscience is taking over social media – and putting us all at risk
Dr Santosh Vijaykumar is a senior lecturer in the psychology department. In this blog he talks about the risks of misinformation online and possible solutions.
Paying with a palm print? We’re victims of our own psychology in making privacy decisions
In this article, Professor Pam Briggs discusses privacy concerns linked to biometric identification
Mark Moss: “There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance.”
Dr. Mark Moss, Head of the Psychology Department at Northumbria University, tells us about his research into rosemary’s benefits for memory. We also get to learn about how the nose is connected to the brain and why smells are so powerful. “Because we’re always breathing, wherever we go, whatever we’re doing, there’s always an opportunity…
Why we are secretly attracted to people who look like our parents
In this post, Dr Tamsin Saxton talks about her own research looking at why people often pick partners who look similar to their parents
What do lecturers know about teaching?
In this blog, Dr Libby Orme talks about how academic staff are trained in learning and teaching
Why do you feel like you’re falling when you go to sleep?
In this blog, Professor Jason Ellis explains the ‘hypnic jerk’ – the startled sensation we get when we feel like we’re ‘falling’ as we drift off to sleep
Spotlight on: Professor Nick Neave
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews academics in the department about their career. In this post, we interview Prof Nick Neave, who is the lead of our Hoarding Research Group.
Lockdown, quarantine and self-isolation: how different COVID restrictions affect our mental health
In this blog, Dr Tom Heffernan talks about how restrictions due to the COVID19 pandeimc have impacted mental health
Northumbria PhD Students’ Prize Winning Research
We spoke to of our current PhD students, Richard Brown, about his award winning MSc research project, his PhD research plans and asked him for advice for current students!
Managing Sleep in COVID: Northumbria Sleep Research Response
In this blog, Professor Jason Ellis tells us how the Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research are helping to address the impact the Covid-19 Pandemic has had on sleep.
Bilingualism as a remedy for declines in thinking skills
In this post, psychology student Joanna Kubiak and cognitive psychologist Dr Andriy Myachykov consider whether speaking multiple languages helps preserve our thinking skills in older age. They also discuss their ongoing research on this topic.
Spotlight on: Dr Tom Heffernan
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews academics in the department about their career. In this post, we interview Dr Tom Heffernan, who is the author of the students’ guide to studying psychology.
To reduce stress and anxiety, write your happy thoughts down
In this blog, Dr Michael Smith talks about his research in to expressive writing, and gives some helpful tips for reducing stress and anxiety
Psychology Department’s Athena Swan website launched!
Read this post to learn a bit more about the work we are doing on gender equality
Understanding disturbed sleep could help prevent suicides
Author: Professor Jason Ellis Sleep disturbance in young adults who are at risk of suicide are a warning sign of worsening suicidal thoughts, according to new research from Stanford University. These findings held true regardless of the study participants’ current levels of depression. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people in…
How to talk to your doctor about information you find online
Authors: Dr Liz Sillence and Dr Lauren Bussey More and more people are going online to search for information about their health. Though it can be a minefield, where unverified sources abound, searching the internet can help people to understand different health problems, and give them access to emotional and social support. For many in…
Graduate Bio: Joan Wong
In this post, we interviewed Joan Wong, one of our MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology graduates about her experience of the course and her career to date. Joan is now a Senior HR director in the financial technology industry
Why some people believe they can hear the dead
In this post, Dr Peter Moseley and his collaborator from Durham University, Adam J Powell, talk about their work on auditory hallucinations
Spotlight on: Dr Andrew McNiell
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews academics in the department about their career. In this post, we interview Dr Andrew McNeill, who is the programme leader for the BSc Psychology programme.
Conspiracy theories start to take hold at age 14, study suggests
In this post, Dr Daniel Jolley talks about his work developing a conspiracy beliefs questionnaire for young people
Hirsutes you sir: but that beard might mean more to men than women
In this post, Dr Tamsin Saxton talks about her research looking at the role of facial hair in attractiveness from the perspective of evolutionary psychology
Living with dementia during the pandemic
This week is Dementia Action Week. In this post, Psychology student Anna Svorenova and dementia researcher Dr Michael Craig consider the possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic on people living with dementia and their close ones.
Spotlight on: Dr Katri Cornelissen
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews academics in the department about their careers and research expertise. In this post, Dr Katri Cornelissen tells us about her career in researching eating disorders and body image.
Spotlight on: Professor Karen McKenzie
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews staff within the department about their careers in psychology. Karen is a professor in the psychology department, and a HCPC registered, Clinical Psychologist. Karen is also the lead of our Research and Practice in Developmental Disabilities (RaPiDD) Group.
Graduate Bio: Naomi Boswell
We interviewed one of our graduates about her career to date. Naomi graduated from the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme, and is now about to finish her training as an Educational Psychologist.
Emotion regulation in the ups and downs of bipolar disorder
In this blog, Dr Alyson Dodd talks about emotion regulation, with a particular focus on her research into bipolar disorder.
Blended Learning Approaches to Group Work
In this blog, Dr Libby Orme talks about her work on using Microsoft Teams to support group work on the psychology programme
University students: how to manage the stress of studying for your degree
In this post, Dr Michael Smith gives advice on managing stress during your undergraduate studies. He draws on some of the exciting research conducted in our Health and Wellbeing research group.
Spotlight On: Dr Michael Smith
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews staff within the department about their careers in psychology. Michael is the Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Psychology Department and an Associate Professor of Health Psychology
Spotlight on: Dr Lynn McInnes
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews staff within the department about their careers in psychology. Lynn is the Director of Education in the Department and an Associate Professor, working in our Hoarding Research Group.
How our phones disconnect us when we’re together
In this blog, Dr Genavee Brown talks about her research in to mobile phone use, and the impact it can have on the quality of face to face interactions with friends
How the parrot got its chat (and its dance moves)
In this post, Dr Larry Taylor discusses research which shows unique brain areas in Parrots, which are associated with immitating speech and the ability to dance!
Digital Hoarders: We’ve identified four types – which are you?
In this blog, Professor Nick Neave talks about the work of The Digital Hoarding group at Northumbria.
Graduate Bio: Megan Holden
We interviewed one of our alumni, Megan Holden, about her career to date. Megan graduated from the BSc (Hons) Psychology in 2019 with a specialism in Clinical Psychology. She now works as an Assistant Psychologist supporting a team of Clinical Psycholists, and is working towards applying for the doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Graduate Bio: Shaun Carlton
In this blog, Shaun Carlton will talk about his career. Shaun graduated from the BSc (Hons) Psychology in 2015 and went on to do an MSc in Organizational Psychology. He now works as an Associate Consultant at a Talent Strategy Consultancy firm.
Spotlight On: Dr Libby Orme
Our ‘spotlight on’ series interviews staff within the department about their careers in psychology. Libby is the Deputy Head of the Psychology Department and an Associate Professor of Learning and Teaching (she also manages this blog!)
Northumbria University Psychology Department 