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Dr Luz Gutierrez-Menendez

Lecturer

Deputy Research Degrees Leader (Education, Social Work & Sciences)

Department of Psychology & Human Development , School of Childhood and Social Care

Dr Luz Gutierrez Menendez's passion for her work is evident in her background in Communications. She is deeply concerned with nonverbal, verbal, and interpersonal communication, with a particular interest in the Psychology of Communication. Her enjoyment of researching Emotional Intelligence and Positive Psychology is a testament to her dedication to her field.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Communication – University College London
  • MSc Psychology (Conversion) – Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (FE) – University of Southampton
  • BA (Hons) Media and Communication – Wolverhampton University
  • FHEA
  • QTLS FSET

Areas Of Interest

  • Silence in well-being
  • Character strengths in coaching and work performance
  • Positive therapy & anorexia nervosa
  • Positive therapy & anxiety
  • The Psychology of Communication
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OVERVIEW

Dr Gutierrez Menendez completed a PhD at UCL, researching the meaning of silence and covering philosophical and psychological notions. Her curiosity is about the impact of silence on well-being. She also researched the link between silence and anxiety in Western society. Her MSc in Psychology has strengthened her focus on the significance of health and positive emotions. She researched the link between character strengths and anxiety. Her current focus is on the benefits of positive psychology in anxious individuals and in patients who suffer from eating disorders, especially Anorexia Nervosa.

Dr Luz has published articles in online magazines on education and coaching as well as in peer-reviewed journals (communication and psychology). Luz enjoys teaching and has been a fellow of the Society of Education and Learning since 2019.

PUBLICATIONS

Journal articles:

  • Gutiérrez Menéndez, L. M. (2025). How do we perceive “silence”? From ancient to current communicative and psychological perspectives: The taxonomy of silence. The Humanistic Psychologist. Advance online publication.
  • Gutiérrez-Menéndez, L. M. (2024). Embedded in this modern fast-paced society … can we hear silence? Analysing the presence of silence in a radio programme. Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies, 37(6), 816–836. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2024.2325090
  • Nocon, A. S., Roestorf, A., & Menéndez, L. M. G. (2022). Positive psychology in neurodiversity: An investigation of character strengths in autistic adults in the United Kingdom in a community setting. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 99, 102071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102071 

Other publications:

  • Gutiérrez Menéndez, L. M. (2021). Silence in Education. InTuition. 43, 30-32
  • Gutiérrez Menéndez, L. M. (2020). Pause for Thought. Coaching at Work, 15(5), 42–45.

RESEARCH CENTRES AND GROUPS

  • Cognition and Neuroscience Group

PUBLICATIONS

Visit the UEL research repository to view a full list of publications.

Publications

Browse past publications by year.

Full publications list

Visit the research repository to view a full list of publications

Research repository

Teaching