Laura initially graduated with a degree in English Literature from Newcastle University, before converting to Psychology through completing a Graduate Diploma at London South Bank University (graduated 2007). Laura then stayed at LSBU to undertake her PhD, entitled: ‘The role of space in service users’ experiences of community mental health care’. Her research interests focus on the role of space and materiality in psychological experiences, as well as socio-cultural approaches to mental health. Laura also has a strong interest in qualitative methodology, especially the use of visual methods.

• Module Leader for PY1101 and PY1102: Year-1 Research Methods
• Year-1Tutor

• BSc Psychology
• MSc Psychology

• PY1101/PY1102: Research methods
• PY2101/PYM154: Qualitative methods
• PY3101/PYM155: Project supervision

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

1. McGrath, L., Reavey, P., & Brown, S.D. (2008). The spaces and scenes of anxiety: embodied expressions of distress in public and private fora. Emotion, Space and Society, 1(1), 56–64. doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2008.08.003

Workshop Reviews

1. McGrath, L. (2010). Exploring new, innovative and emerging methods in qualitative research. Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin, 10, 18–21.

Conference Presentations

1. McGrath, L. (2010). Service user spaces: considering a role for material space in service user experiences of community mental health care. Paper presented at the Self in Mental Health Care Conference, organised by the International Network For Philosophy and Psychiatry.
2. McGrath, L. (2009). Spaces of recovery? Mapping community mental health care. Paper presented at the European Congress for Community Psychology.
3. McGrath, L. (2009). The role of space in service users’ experiences of community mental health care. Paper presented at the PsyPAG conference.