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UEL Psychologist Dave Harper selected for ethical science showcase

Tuesday 11 April 2006

A University of East London (UEL) Psychology lecturer is among 12 scientists from across a range of disciplines chosen as an inspiring career case study in a new report 'Critical Paths’ published this week by the organisation Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).

Dave Harper, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the School of Psychology UEL’s Stratford campus, has worked at UEL for the last six years and is a leading campaigner and commentator on mental health issues.

His career has been highlighted as an example of ethical careers in science, design and technology. His ethical concerns led him towards a career in psychology, and his professional experiences working in the NHS led him to become involved in trying to reform mental health provision and challenge social injustice.

Harper began his degree in psychology in 1984, after working with young people. As a student, he became a member of the Psychologists for Peace, and studied the politics of psychology, researching the ways in which the military use psychological knowledge in developing interrogation techniques. His final year dissertation investigated the ways in which British people attributed the causes of poverty in developing countries.

After graduating in 1987 he became a clinical psychologist, and his first professional experiences included providing support for carers of older people with dementia and working at a maximum security psychiatric hospital.

Between 1989 and 1991 he studied for a masters degree in clinical psychology, then worked as a clinical psychologist in NHS adult mental health services in Merseyside. While working full time as a clinician in the NHS he enrolled for a PhD part time and became involved in political and campaigning networks.

During the 1990s he came into contact with the mental health service user movement and the work of the Hearing Voices Network which offered alternative help, such as peer support rather than using psychiatric medication to treat patients.

Dave Harper, who joined the staff of the University of East London’s School of Psychology in 2000, said: “One of the things I enjoy about psychology is the emphasis given to thinking about people and their problems and ethical and political dilemmas.”

He is now Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at UEL’s School of Psychology, based at Stratford, which is one of the leading centres for psychology education in the UK, rated 23/24 for teaching quality. UEL is the largest centre for postgraduate psychology education in London.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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