Research in the School of Psychology
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Summary
We have developed strong relationships with our local communities and organisations, with a specific focus on at-risk and vulnerable communities, such as children living in difficult environments, individuals experiencing mental ill-health, refugees, and people vulnerable to addictive behaviour
We have invested in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities (e.g. multi-channel electroencephalogram (EEG), eye-tracking, virtual reality, and psychophysiology) and provide associated training to students and staff. We deliver opportunities for undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience through internships and research placements. This is part of our strong commitment to developing future research leaders. We have a vibrant and growing PhD student community - with many going on to secure prestigious post-doctoral positions and academic lectureships.
Our research with local communities delivers impact that is applied globally, leading to wide media coverage and securing major international and national grants (e.g. European Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Economic and Social Research Council).
In the most recent national audit of research excellence, `REF 2021’, 92% of the research submitted from UEL Psychology was judged to be of international quality, with a 58% increase in volume since the previous audit in 2014.
Example research projects
Example Research Project 1 - Family Recovery after Domestic Abuse
Dr Emma Howarth's work targets children exposed to domestic violence and abuse. She moved to UEL from Cambridge University because of our school's strength in establishing and maintaining connections with local community groups. She runs a £640k NIHR Public Health Research Grant which investigates the effectiveness of community support programmes for mothers and children exposed to domestic violence and abuse, working with the charity Against Violence and Abuse. From UEL she also collaborates on a £1m ESRC grant examining violence, abuse and mental health and a separate £525k NIHR grant examining indicators, outcomes and costs to inform family interventions for child maltreatment.
Example Research Project 2 - How Chaotic and Noisy Home Environments Influence Early Development
Dr Sam Wass joined UEL in 2016 from the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge - also because of our ability to attract research participants from diverse backgrounds. Since joining UEL he was awarded a £152k ESRC Future Research Leaders Fellowship (2017-2019) to investigate how noisy and cramped living environments affect early development - a project which led to extensive policy impact and dissemination (see section 4.2). Recently, he has been awarded funding to continue this work from the Leverhulme Trust (£327k, 2019-2021), Horizon2020 (£212km, 2020-2021) and, most recently, a five-year European Research Council Starter grant (£1.37 million, 2020-2025).
Example Research Project 3 - Minimising gambling-related harm in vulnerable populations
Our Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Research Group, led by Dr Steve Sharman and Professor John Turner, has partnered with the Gordon Moody Association, which is the sole UK residential treatment provider for individuals with gambling problems. This stakeholder partnership has led to research which radically alters our understanding of why some people (e.g. the homeless) are especially vulnerable to behavioural addictions such as gambling. Their findings have informed reports from All Party Parliamentary groups and Public Health England, and have led to changes in how gambling is regulated to protect vulnerable populations in the UK.
Example Research Project 4 – Changing national clinical guidelines and practice regarding depression treatment
Professor John Read's report for Public Health England on current treatment practices for depression has received blanket media coverage across all major news networks around the UK and across the world (see section 4.2). It has been implemented into practitioner care guidelines around the world and has led to changes in the National Institute for Health Care Excellence guidelines for antidepressant use.
Example Research Project 5 – Developing and informing mental health services for refugees
Our local community in East London features one of the highest populations in the UK of voluntary migrants and forced migrants (refugees). Interdisciplinary research by Professor Tribe working with colleagues from other Schools (e.g. Social Sciences), has radically changed our approach to how practitioners provide mental health services for refugees. Her findings now underpin the official practitioner guidance on refugees from NHS England, from charities including Mind, and from international organisations such as The Refugee Council and the Red Cross.
Mental Health and Social Change
The Mental Health & Social Change Group shares a commitment to psychological research and practice that is done with, not to, people and communities.
Cognition and Neuroscience Group
We examine human cognitive and emotional processes in neurotypical adults and in individuals with brain impairments and mental health disorders.
Developmental Psychology Research Group
The Developmental Psychology Research Group joins together psychologists, neuroscientists and comparative developmental psychologists.
Drugs and Addictive Behaviour Research Group
The Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Research Group has grown out of a long tradition of work on the neuropsychological effects of recreational drugs.