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Dr David Harper

Reader in Clinical Psychology and Programme Director (Academic) Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology

Psychology and Social change

David Harper is a clinical psychologist who worked in mental health services in the North West for nearly a decade before moving to UEL in 2000.  Since 2014 he has been one of the two Directors of UEL's clinical psychology programme.  His co-authored and co-edited book Psychology Mental Health & Distress won one of the two 2014 BPS book prizes.

    Dr David Harper is Reader in Clinical Psychology at UEL where he is the Programme Director (Academic) of the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

    David gained both his undergraduate degree in psychology and his Masters degree in clinical psychology at the University of Liverpool.

    Before he moved to UEL, David worked as a clinical psychologist in the NHS mental health services in the North West of the UK for nine years, completing a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University at the same time. His research interests are in critical psychology and social constructionist approaches in mental health, particularly in relation to psychosis, and also in discourses of surveillance in contemporary culture.

    He is involved in a number of campaigning activities aimed at developing more progressive responses to mental distress.



    Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
    Clinical Psychologist
    HCPC Practitioner psychologist

    Overview

    David’s research interests are in critical psychology and social constructionist approaches in mental health, particularly in relation to psychosis, and also in discourses of surveillance in contemporary culture.

    He is a member of the Editorial boards of Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, Subjectivity, the Annual Review of Critical Psychology and the Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology.

    David is a member of UEL’s Psychology and Social Change Research Group, Centre for Narrative Research and the Centre for Systemic Therapy Research. He is also a member of Psychology, Politics, Resistance, the Manchester Discourse Unit, the Soteria Network and Scientists for Global Responsibility and is part of the Advisory Group of the London Hearing Voices Project.

    Interests and expertise:

    • Critical qualitative research (e.g. Discourse Analysis) in mental health, particularly concerning professional discourse about concepts (e.g. psychosis and paranoid delusions) and interventions (e.g., medication, ECT and mental health legislation).
    • Social inequality – both how it is explained and its influence on mental health.
    • Discrimination against those experiencing mental distress – both exploring its effects and examining interventions which aim to challenge it.
    • Psychological therapies which try to avoid pathologising users of mental health services.
    • Critiquing the use of psychological knowledge in national security-related interrogation.
    • Examining public perceptions of surveillance and dataveillance technologies.



    Collaborators

    • test

    Research

    Selected publications

    Publically available research outputs are available to download from UEL’s Research Open Access Repository (ROAR).

    Peer-reviewed journal articles

    Ellis, D., Harper, D., & Tucker, I. (2013). The affective atmospheres of surveillance. Theory & Psychology, 23(6), 716–731. doi:10.1177/0959354313496604

    Ellis, D., Harper, D., & Tucker, I. (2013). The dynamics of impersonal trust and distrust in surveillance systems. Sociological Research Online, 18(3), 8. doi:10.5153/sro.3091

    Harper, D.J. (2013). On the persistence of psychiatric diagnosis: moving beyond a zombie classification system. Feminism & Psychology, 23(1), 78–85. doi:10.1177/0959353512467970

    Harper, D.J., & Speed, E. (2012). Uncovering recovery: the resistible rise of recovery and resilience. Studies in Social Justice, 6(1), 9–25.

    Tucker, I., Ellis, D., & Harper, D. (2012). Transformative processes of agency: information technologies and the production of digitally mediated selves. Culture and Society: Journal of Social Research, 3(1), 9–24.

    Brown, S.D., Cromby, J., Harper, D., Johnson, K., & Reavey, P. (2011). Researching “experience”: embodiment, methodology, process. Theory & Psychology, 21(4), 493–515. doi:10.1177/0959354310377543

    Harper, D. (2011). Social inequality and the diagnosis of paranoia. Health Sociology Review, 20(4), 420–433. doi:10.5172/hesr.2011.20.4.423

    McKechnie, V., & Harper, D.J. (2011). Belief in a just world and attitudes towards mental illness. Psychosis, 3(2), 145–147. doi:10.1080/17522439.2010.484504

    Harper, D. (2010). Clinical psychology in context: a commentary on David Pilgrim’s ‘British clinical psychology and society’. Psychology, Learning & Teaching, 9(2), 13–14. doi:10.2304/plat.2010.9.2.13

    Cromby, J., & Harper, D. (2009). Paranoia: A social account. Theory & Psychology, 19(3), 335–361. doi:10.1177/0959354309104158

    Cromby, J., Harper, D., & Reavey, P. (2008). Mental health teaching to UK psychology undergraduates: report of a survey. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 18(1), 83–90. doi:10.1002/casp.913

    Harper, D. (2008). The politics of paranoia: Paranoid positioning and conspiratorial narratives in the surveillance society. Surveillance & Society, 5(1), 1–32.

    Harper, D., O’Connor, J., Self, P., & Stevens, P. (2008). Learning to do discourse analysis: Accounts of supervisees and a supervisor. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 5(3), 192–213. doi:10.1080/14780880802314320

    Stevens, P. & Harper, D. (2007). Professional accounts of electroconvulsive therapy: A discourse analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 64(7), 1475-1486. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.11.015

    Harper, D. (2005). The critical professional and social policy: Negotiating dilemmas in the UK Mental Health Act campaign. International Journal of Critical Psychology, 13, 55-75.

    Harper, D.J. (2004). Delusions and discourse: Moving beyond the constraints of the modernist paradigm. Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology, 11(1), 55-64. doi:10.1353/ppp.2004.0041

    Harper, D.J. (2000). Some effects of conspiracy thinking and paranoid labelling. Clio's Psyche [Special issue: The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories], 7, 112-113.

    Spellman, D. & Harper, D.J. (1996). Failure, mistakes, regret and other subjugated stories in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 18(2), 204-214.doi:10.1111/j.1467-6427.1996.tb00044.x

    Harper, D.J. (1996). Accounting for poverty: From attribution to discourse. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 6(4), 249-265.

    Harper, D.J. (1996). Deconstructing 'paranoia': Towards a discursive understanding of apparently unwarranted suspicion. Theory & Psychology, 6(3), 423-448. doi:10.1177/0959354396063005

    Harper, D.J. & Smith, G. (1995). The 'non-present' client, the flecting team and even more dialogues: towards third order cybernetics. Journal of Family Therapy, 17(3), 345–352.

    Translated as:

    Harper, D.J. & Smith, G. (1997/2). Le client 'non présent', l'équipe fléchissante, et plus de dialogues: vers les cybernétiques du troisième ordre. Dans Constructivisme et constructionisme social: Aux limites de la systémique? Cahiers critiques de thérapie familiale et de pratiques de réseaux, 19, 251–259.

    Harper, D.J. (1995). Discourse analysis and 'mental health'. Journal of Mental Health, 4(4), 347-357. doi:10.1080/09638239550037406

    Harper, D.J. & Spellman, D. (1994). Consultation to a professional network: Reflections of a would be consultant. Journal of Family Therapy, 16(4), 383–399.

    Harper, D.J. (1994). Histories of suspicion in a time of conspiracy: A reflection on Aubrey Lewis's history of paranoia. History of the Human Sciences, 7(3), 89–109.

    Harper, D.J. (1994). Celebrating a diversity of voices in the arena of discourse: Response to Garety and Walkup. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 67(2), 151–153.

    Harper, D.J. (1994). The professional construction of 'paranoia' and the discursive use of diagnostic criteria. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 67(2), 131–143.

    Harper, D.J. (1994). Absent mindedness and shoplifting: A case study. Medicine Science & the Law, 34(1), 74–77.

    Harper, D.J. (1994). Evaluating a training package for staff working with people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 40(78), 45–53.

    Harper, D.J. (1993). Remembered work importance, satisfaction, reminiscence and adjustment in retirement: A case study. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 6(2), 155–164.

    Harper, D.J., Manasse, P.R., James, O., & Newton, J.T. (1993). Intervening to reduce distress in carers of impaired elderly people: A preliminary evaluation. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 8(2), 139–145.

    Harper, D.J., & Manasse, P.R. (1992). The just world and the third world: British explanations for poverty abroad. Journal of Social Psychology, 132(6), 783–785.

    Harper, D.J. (1992). Defining delusion and the serving of professional interests: The case of 'paranoia'. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 65(4), 357–369.

    Harper, D.J., Manasse, P.R., & Newton, J.T. (1992). Nurse attitudes and satisfaction in two psychogeriatric wards: Their structure and correlates. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 17(6), 676–681.

    Harper, D. (1991). The role of psychology in the analysis of poverty: Some suggestions. Psychology and Developing Societies, 3(2), 193–201.

    Harper, D.J., Wagstaff, G.F., Newton, J.T., & Harrison, K.J. (1990). Lay causal perceptions of third world poverty and the just world theory. Social Behaviour & Personality, 18(2), 235–238.

    Harper, D.J. (1990). Motivation and drug dependency: a preliminary evaluation of an assessment tool. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 15(2), 176–179.

    Books

    Cromby, J., Harper, D., & Reavey, P. (2013). Psychology, mental health and distress. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Parker, I., Γεωργάκα, Ε., Harper, D., McLaughlin, T., & Stowell-Smith, M. (2007). Αποδομώντας την ψυχοπαθολογία. Αθήνα: Gutenberg. [Greek translation of Deconstructing Psychopathology].

    Parker, I., Georgaca, E., Harper, D.J., McLaughlin, T. & Stowell Smith, M. (1995). Deconstructing Psychopathology. London: Sage. [sales by March 2013: 4,145 paperback; 235 hardback]

    Edited Books

    Harper, D., & Thompson, A. (Eds.). (2012). Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: an introduction for students and practitioners. Chichester: Wiley.

    Book chapters

    Cromby, J., & Harper, D. (2014). Psychosis. In T. Teo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1583–1585). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-5583-7_251

    Harper, D., & Speed, E. (2014). Uncovering recovery: the resistible rise of recovery and resilience. In J. Moncrieff, M. Rapley & E. Speed (Eds.), De-medicalizing misery II: society, politics and the mental health industry (pp. 40–57). Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan

    Harper, D. (2014). Psychiatric diagnosis and its dilemmas. In K. Partridge & S. McNab (Eds.), Inside out/outside in: creative positions in adult mental health (pp. 5–23). London: Karnac.

    Harper, D.J., Ellis, D., & Tucker, I. (2014). Surveillance. In T. Teo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1887–1892). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-5583-7_305

    Harper, D.J., & Cromby, J. (2014). Paranoia. In T. Teo (Ed.), Encyclopedia of critical psychology (pp. 1320–1323). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-5583-7_209

    Harper, D., & Spellman, D. (2013). Telling a different story: formulation and narrative therapy. In L. Johnstone & R. Dallos (Eds.), Formulation in psychology and psychotherapy: making sense of people’s problems (2nd ed.). London: Brunner-Routledge.

    Harper, D., Tucker, I., & Ellis, D. (2013). Surveillance and subjectivity: everyday experiences of surveillance practices. In K.S. Ball & L. Snider (Eds.), Surveillance industrial complex. London: Routledge.

    Cromby, J., & Harper, D. (2013). Paranoia: contested and contextualised. In B. Diamond, S. Coles & S. Keenan (Eds.), Madness contested: power and practice. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS.

    Harper, D., Gannon, K.N., & Robinson, M. (2013). Beyond evidence-based practice: rethinking the relationship between research, theory and practice. In R. Bayne & G. Jinks (Eds.), Applied psychology: practice, training and new directions (2nd ed.). London: Sage.

    Harper, D. (2011). The complicity of psychology in the security state. (reproduction of chapter from Just War) in I. Parker (ed), Critical Psychology, Volume III: Psychologization and psychological culture, Part 7: Surveillance, pp. 26–64. Hove: Psychology Press.

    Cromby, J. & Harper, D. (2011). Paranoia: a social account (reproduction of Theory & Psychology paper) in I. Parker (ed), Critical Psychology, Volume III: Psychologization and psychological culture, Part 9: Psychologization, pp. 265–292. Hove: Psychology Press.

    Harper, D. (2009). Preface: Learning from our work. In J. Stedmon & R. Dallos (eds) (in press). Reflective practice in psychotherapy and counselling. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

    Brown, S.D., Reavey, P., Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Johnson, K. (2009). On psychology and embodiment: some methodological experiments. In J. Latimer & M. Schillmeier (eds.), Un/Knowing Bodies. Sociological Review Monograph Series (pp. 199–215). Oxford: Blackwell.

    Harper, D. (2008). Chapter 24: Clinical Psychology. In C. Willig & W. Stainton Rogers, (eds). Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology (pp. 430–454). London: Sage. doi:10.4135/9781848607927.n24

    Harper, D. (2007). The complicity of psychology in the security state. In R. Roberts (ed). Just War: Psychology, Terrorism and Iraq (pp.15–45). Ross-on-Wye: PCCS books.

    Sloboda, J., Roberts, R & Harper, D. (2007). A Psychology for Peace? In R. Roberts (ed). Just War: Psychology, Terrorism and Iraq (pp. 213–234). Ross-on-Wye: PCCS books.

    Harper, D.J. (2006). Discourse analysis. In M. Slade & S. Priebe (eds) Choosing Methods in Mental Health Research (pp. 47–67). Hove: Routledge.

    Harper, D. (2006). Psychology. In S. Parkinson & V. Spedding (eds) Critical Paths: 12 inspiring cases of ethical careers in science and technology (pp. 10–11). London: Scientists for Global Responsibility.

    Harper, D. & Spellman, D. (2006). Telling a different story: Social constructionism and formulation. In L. Johnstone & R. Dallos (eds), Formulation in Psychology and Psychotherapy: Making Sense of People's Problems (pp. 98–125). London: Brunner-Routledge.

    Harper, D. J. (2004). Storying policy: Constructions of risk in proposals to reform UK mental health legislation. In B. Hurwitz, T. Greenhalgh & V. Skultans (eds) Narrative Research in Health and Illness (pp. 397–413). London: BMJ Books/Blackwell Publishing. doi:10.1002/9780470755167.ch23

    Harper, D.J. (2004). Introducing social constructionist and critical psychology into clinical psychology training. In D.A. Paré & G. Larner (eds) Collaborative Practice in Psychology and Therapy (pp. 157–170). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

    Harper, D.J. (2003). Poverty and discourse. In S.C. Carr, & T.S. Sloan (eds) Poverty & Psychology: From Global Perspective to Local Practice (pp. 185–203). New York: Kluwer-Plenum doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0029-2_10

    Harper, D. (2003). Developing a critically reflexive position using discourse analysis. In L. Finlay & B. Gough (eds) Reflexivity: A Practical Guide for Researchers in Health and Social Sciences (pp. 78–92). Oxford: Blackwell Science.

    Harper, D., Mulvey, R.M. & Robinson, M. (2003). Beyond evidence-based practice: Rethinking the relationship between research, theory and practice. In R. Bayne & I. Horton (eds), Applied Psychology: Current Issues and New Directions (pp. 78–92). London: Sage. doi:10.4135/9781446279151.n11

    Harper, D. & Mason, T. (1999). Use and misuse of prescribed medication. In Mercer, D., Mason, T., McKeown, M., & McCann, G. (eds). Forensic Mental Health Care: A Case Study Approach (pp. 199–204). London: Churchill Livingstone.

    Harper, D. (1999). Tablet talk and depot discourse: Discourse analysis and psychiatric medication. In C. Willig (Ed) Applied Discourse Analysis: Social and Psychological Interventions (pp. 125–144). Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Professional publications and reports

    Contributor to: Cooke, A. (editor) (2014). Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Why people sometimes hear voices, believe things that others find strange, or appear out of touch with reality, and what can help. A report by the British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology. Leicester: British Psychological Society.

    Contributor to BPS response to DSM5 consultation June 2011 & June 2012.

     Expert commentator for British Psychological Society (2011). Good Practice Guidelines On The Use Of Psychological Formulation. Leicester: Author.

     Training Strategy Group/Division of Clinical Psychology & the Professional Practice Board (2006). Clinical Psychology Training and Disability: Information, Guidance and Good Practice Guidelines. Leicester: British Psychological Society. [Authors: D. Harper, A. Rowlands & S. Youngson].

    Non-peer reviewed journal articles

    Speed, E., & Harper, D. (2015). Foreword for special issue on recovery. Clinical Psychology Forum, 268 (April), 1–2.

    Harper, D. (2014). Continuing the conversation: a response to Anne and friends. Clinical Psychology Forum, 256 (April), 26–29.

    Harper, D. (2013). Reflections on qualitative research in clinical psychology training. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, 13(1), 42–46.

    Harper, D. (2013). Reflections on qualitative research in clinical psychology training. Clinical Psychology Forum, 243, 20–23.

    Harper, D. (2010). Tensions and dilemmas in clinical psychology’s relationship with the service user movement. Clinical Psychology Forum, 209, 35–38.

    Sholl, C., Korkie, J., & Harper, D. (2010). Challenging teenagers’ ideas about people with mental health problems. The Psychologist, 23(1), 2–3.

    Harper, D. (2009). Narrative therapy, family therapy and history. Context: A Magazine for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, 102 (April), 17–18.

    Sholl, C., Korkie, J., & Harper, D. (2009). Working with young people to challenge discrimination against mental health service users: A psychosocial pilot study. Clinical Psychology Forum, 196, 45–49.

    Harper, D. (2008). Psychology and the ‘war on terror’. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, 8, 156–165. (Reprint of Harper [2004] in Special Issue ‘The Great and the Good, Volume 1, Celebrating Changes’ and JCPCP.)

    Harper, D. (2008). An unsung hero of mental health campaigning. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 8, 84–85.

    Davidson, S., Harper, D., Patel, N. & Byrne, A. (2007). Drawing back the curtain on clinical psychology training: Maintaining a critical approach. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, 7, 201–210.

    Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Reavey, P. (2007). Editorial for special issue. Moving beyond diagnosis: Practicing what we preach. The Psychologist, 20(5), 289.

    Harper, D., Cromby, J., Reavey, P., Cooke, A. & Anderson, J. (2007). Don't jump ship! New approaches in mental health teaching to undergraduates. The Psychologist, 20(5), 302–304.

    Harper, D. (2007). Mental Health Bill update. The Psychologist, 20(1), 5.

    Harper, D. (2006). Some problems with the case for psychologists becoming clinical supervisors: A response to Pilgrim and others. Clinical Psychology Forum, 168, 7–12.

    Cromby, J. & Harper, D. (2005). Paranoia and social inequality. Clinical Psychology Forum, 153, 17–21.

    Harper, D. (2004). Psychology and the 'War on Terror' I: Surveillance and Interrogation. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 14, 22–24.

    Harper, D. (2004). Psychology and the ‘war on terror’. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, 4, 1-10. (Reprinted as Harper, 2008 – see above)

    Harper, D. & Moss, D. (2003). A different kind of chemistry? Reformulating ‘formulation’. Clinical Psychology, 25, 6-10.

    Harper, D., Goodbody, L. & Steen, L. (2003). Involving users of services in clinical psychology training. Clinical Psychology, 21, 14–19.

    Harper, D. (2003). Interview with Rufus May. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 3, 32–44.

    Harper, D. & Spellman, D. (2002). Under the influence: The story of two clinical psychologists’ interest in narrative approaches. Clinical Psychology, 17, 8–11.

    Harper, D. (2002). A Summer of protests against the Mental Health Bill. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 13(3), 4–6.

    Harper, D. (2002). Choice not compulsion. Dave Harper explains the reasons for yesterday's London protest against the government's draft Mental Health Bill. Morning Star, 13 August, 7.

    Cooke, A., Harper, D. & Kinderman, P. (2002). Do clinical psychologists care about the Mental Health Act reforms? Clinical Psychology, 15, 40–46.

    Cooke, A., Harper, D. & Kinderman, P. (2002). British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology: Survey of clinical psychologists' opinions about proposed reforms to the 1983 Mental Health Act. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 13(2), 31.

    Harper, D. (2002). Moving beyond the tyranny of experts. Open Mind, 115, 20–21.

    Cooke, A., Kinderman, P. & Harper, D. (2002). DCP Update: Criticisms and concerns. [Results of a survey of DCP members’ opinions about proposed reforms to the 1983 Mental Health Act] Clinical Psychology, 13, 43–47.

    Harper, D. (2002). When the drugs don't work. Open Mind, 114, 8.

    Cooke, A., Harper, D. & Kinderman, P. (2002). Reform of mental health legislation. Forensic Update, 68(January), 6–16.

    Harper, D. (2002). Cutting through mystification: Dave Harper interviews Mary Boyle. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2, 75–85.

    Harper, D. (2002). The tyranny of expert language. Open Mind, 113, 8–9.

    Harper, D. (2001). Dave’s demo. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry. 13, 8–9.

    Harper, D. (2001). Psychiatric and psychological concepts in understanding psychotic experience. Clinical Psychology, 7, 21–27.

    Cooke, A., Harper, D. & Kinderman, P. (2001). DCP update. Reform of the Mental Health Act: Implications for Clinical Psychologists. Clinical Psychology, 1, 48–52.

    Harper, D. (2000). News round up. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 12(2), 6.

    Harper, D. (2000). Spirituality and therapy as spaces within which to question. Context: A Magazine for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, 48, 9–11.

    Harper, D. (1998). Discourse analysis and psychiatric medication. Clinical Psychology Forum, 114, 19–21.

    Harper, D. (1996). Paranoia: Tributes and tributaries of resistance. Changes: An International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, 14, 25–30.

    Harper, D. & Spellman, D. (1996). Talking about failure. Clinical Psychology Forum, 98, 16–18.

    Harmsworth, P., Harper, D., Marks, H. & Spellman, D. (1996). Nurturing a narrative approach. Context: A News Magazine of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, 26, 22–25.

    Harper, D.J. (1995). Abusive psychology: Secret histories. Changes: An International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, 13(2), 95–101.

    Harper, D. (1995). On workshopping social knowledge. Manifold, 2(2) Summer, 61–62.

    Harper, D.J. (1995). Meta paranoia: Diagnosing paranoia in paranoia researchers. The Psychologist: Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 8(4), 192.

    Harper, D.J., & Warner, S.J. (1993). Discourse, social constructionism and clinical psychology. Changes: An International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, 11(1), 72–79.

    Harper, D. (1993). The personal and the political: a rant against fragmentation. Clinical Psychology Forum, 62, 23.

    Harper, D. (1993). Surveying qualitative research teaching on clinical psychology training schemes. Clinical Psychology Forum, 58, 16–19.

    Harper, D., & Farrell, A. (1990). Advice for Assistant Psychologists. National Graduate Psychologists Group. [Revised edition 1994]

    Harper, D. (1990). Assistant psychologists and supervision. Clinical Psychology Forum, 26, 33–36.

    Harper, D. (1989). Are we selling psychological skills or just selling psychology away? Clinical Psychology Forum, 20, 23–25.

    Harper, D., & Newton, T. (1988). Psychology technicians: their use and abuse. Clinical Psychology Forum, 17, 5–10.

    Invited conference papers

    Harper, D. (2015). Moving from an individualised to a social vision for clinical psychology? Paper presented at 'Clinical Psychology beyond the therapy room', Resource for London, 12 June.

    Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Reavey, P. (2015). From disorder to experience: Changing the way we teach about mental health. BPS 2014 book award invited lecture, Wednesday 6 May, ACC Liverpool.

    p>Harper, D. (2015). Rethinking how we understand paranoia. St Helens Recovery Team, second annual conference, St Helens RFC ground, Langtree Park, St Helens, 14 May.

    Harper, D. (2015). Discussant at ‘Articulating and communicating a consistently psychological perspective on psychological health’ symposium, BPS Annual conference, ACC Liverpool, 7 May.

    Harper, D. (2015). Campaigning for change:  Ideas from the work of Gene Sharp. Paper presented at Time for Real Change? Hearing Voices Network AGM conference, Amnesty International Human Rights Centre, 20 April.

    Harper, D. (2015). The social context of distress: Moving beyond individualism. Paper presented at ‘Rethinking clinical perspectives: Becoming the questioning Psychologist for changing times’, 27 March, The Buszy, Milton Keynes.

    Harper, D. (2015). Moving beyond individualism and inequality: A social perspective on public mental health. Paper presented at The Public’s Mental Health, Senate House, UCL, 19 February.

    Harper, D. (2014). Social Context and Formulation: Politics and Strategy. Paper presented at DCP Executive invitational symposium ‘Beyond Diagnosis: Formulation and Social Context’ at DCP annual conference, Glasgow, 4 December.

    Harper, D. (2014). Analysing the campaign to move beyond psychiatric diagnosis: Insights from political theorist Gene Sharp. Paper presented at ‘Critical Perspectives On And Beyond Psychiatric Diagnoses’ 12 November, University College Cork, Ireland.

    Harper, D. (2014). Invited participant to keynote debate: Moving beyond the vocabulary of recovery? Qualitative Research in Mental Health conference 5, Chania, Crete, Greece 2-4 September.

    Harper, D. (2014). Beyond ‘delusion’: Researching the social context of unusual beliefs. Paper presented at National Paranoia Network 10th Anniversary Conference, The Mechanics Centre, Manchester, 7 June.

    Harper, D. (2014). Moving beyond the dominance of diagnosis: Campaigning insights from Gene Sharp. Annual conference of London Hearing Voices Project, 20 May.

    Harper, D. (2014). Discussant for Panel 3 ‘Everyday lives and the cuts’ at the ‘Living with the Cuts’ conference, British Library, St Pancras, London, 28 May.

    Harper, D. (2012). Discussant at ‘Postmodern approaches to researching psychotherapy: Reflections and innovations’, symposium at Qualitative Research & Mental Health, University of Nottingham, 4 July.

    Harper, D. (2012). Distress, diagnosis and qualitative research. Invited keynote at Qualitative Research & Mental Health, University of Nottingham, 3 July.

    Harper, D. (2012). Rethinking recovery. Paper presented at ‘Recovery in psychological practice’, Psychology & Psychotherapy Professional Network, Indigo Trust Headquarters, Maghull, Liverpool, 20 April.

    Harper, D. (2012). Doing clinical research. Paper presented at ‘Qualitative research methods in clinical settings’ The Hub, Keele University, 23 February.

    Harper, D. (2012). Happy now? The happiness agenda and the limitations of individualistic approaches. Paper presented at The South East Coast DCP Conference on: ‘Well-Being: Professional, Political and Clinical Implications’ with Lord Layard & Peter Kinderman, BPS London office, February 10.

    Harper, D. (2011). Psychology and adult mental health: The good, the bad and the ugly. Paper presented at DCP event ‘the Health & Social Care Bill in a Time of Necessity’, 6 June, London BPS Offices.

    Harper, D. (2009). Whither or wither clinical psychology? Paper presented at What next for the profession after IAPT? DCP Annual conference, Congress House, London 11 December.

    Harper, D. (2009). Social inequalities and psychiatric diagnosis. Paper presented at the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations (EPFSA) European Summer School (2009 topic was ‘social inequalities’), Arcalia, Romania 19-26 July.

    Discussant at ‘Narrative and Social Justice’ (discussing papers by Michael Murray and Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela), BPS London office, 26 March 2009.

    Harper, D. (2009). The implications of different approaches to paranoia. Paper presented at ‘A Route to Recovery’, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge,19-20 February.

    Cromby, J. & Harper, D. (2008). Social causation of paranoia. Paper presented at Psychosis in Context conference. Nottingham, 25 November.

    Panel discussant in Qualitative Methods Research Symposium ‘How do qualitative research methods relate to family therapy, systemic practice and relational ideas?’. Other panel members (Charlotte Burck, Rudi Dallos, Michael Murray, Jonathan Smith). Association of Family Therapy Annual Conference, Midland Hotel, Manchester, 12-13 September 2008.

    Chair of ‘Working together in the critical mental health field’ symposium at the Annual DCP Conference, Congress Hall, London, 14 December, 2006.

    Harper, D. (2006). Psychology's past and present complicity in interrogation and torture. Paper presented at ‘White Terror/Post Empire’, London School of Economics, 20 May. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2006). Analysing accounts of ‘delusions’. Paper presented at ‘Researching Narratives and Mental Health’, Tavistock Centre, 30 March. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2005). Countering fear, stigma and discrimination about mental health distress. Paper presented at 'Fear Psychiatry & the State', Queen's College, Cambridge, 12-13 September. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2005). Mental health legislation and human rights. Paper presented at 'Psychology & Human Rights' inaugural meeting, British Psychological Society. University of Manchester, 30 March. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2005). Psychology and the War on Terror. Paper presented at Psychology of Peace & Conflict seminar. Goldsmiths College, University of London, 26 February. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2004). The psychologists I have wanted to be, am now and want to be in the future. Paper presented at 'What kind of clinical psychologist do I want to be?', DCP Affiliates Conference, Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, 3 September. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2004). Rethinking paranoia. Paper presented at 'Visions & Voices' conference. Hearing Voices Network, Dundee, 15 June. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2003). Poverty and discourse. Video presentation as part of ‘Poverty and psychology: International perspectives’ video presentation with Carola Eyber, Adrian Furnham, Bill Ivory, Tony Marsella, Tony Lemieux, Felicia Pratto, Isaac Prilleltensky, & Peter Spink. 29th Interamerican Congress of Psychology, Lima, 13-18 July.

    Harper, D. (2002). Risky talk: Constructing narratives of danger in mental health. Narrative & Health: Centre for Narrative Research Narrative Workshop IV, King’s College, Cambridge, 14 November. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2002). Social constructionism and formulation. Paper presented at Theoretical Perspectives on Case Formulation: Is the Emperor Clothed? University of West of England, 26 July. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2001). Discourse analysis and psychiatric medication. Paper presented at Discourse Analysis: Real World Applications. BPS West Midlands Branch. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, 8 December. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2000). Moving beyond the tyranny of psychiatric language. Paper presented at 'Moving Beyond Maintenance: Making Recovery a Reality in Mental Health Services' conference. Birmingham, 20-21 September. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2000). Doing discourse analysis. Paper presented at 'Discursive Practice: Qualitative Inquiry and Action Research' course. Bolton Institute, 3-5 May. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (1999). Social constructionist approaches to psychosis. Paper presented at Merseyside Psychotherapy Institute 'Psychotherapy of Psychosis' Study day. Liverpool, The Western rooms, Anglican Cathedral, 7 May. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (1997). The discursive construction of neuroleptic medication in paranoia. Paper presented at 'Qualitative Research and Clinical Psychology: Promoting the Interchange'. Bangor, 4-6 September. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (1995). Diagnostic classification as an example of social representation. Annual conference of the Royal College of Psychiatry's Philosophy Special Interest Group, Stakis Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent, 17 February. Plenary session.

    Discussant at 'Management of abnormality' symposium. Understanding the Social World conference, University of Huddersfield, July 17, 1995. Parallel session.

    Other conference presentations

    Harper, D. & Speed, E. (2015). Exploring the differential trajectories of innovative approaches in mental health: A Sedgwickian approach. Presented at: PsychoPolitics in the Twenty First Century: Peter Sedgwick and radical movements in mental health. Liverpool Hope University, Wed 10 June.

    Harper, D., Coleman, N. & McCusker, L. (2014). Qualitative studies of unusual beliefs or delusions: Recent developments and future directions. Paper presented at Qualitative Research in Mental Health conference 5, Chania, Crete, Greece 2-4 September.

    Harper, D. (2013). Is it in my head? A more questioning approach to qualitative research in clinical psychology training. Paper presented at ‘I can see for Miles – the future of Psy: A celebratory conference in memory of Professor Mark Rapley’, UEL, 14 April. Harper, D. (2012). From the individual to the social: The need for a new heading in clinical psychology. DCP annual conference, University of Oxford, 6 December [part of ‘clinical psychology in an age of austerity’ symposium]

    Harper, D. (2012). Conspiracy or confusion: Public understandings of the use of personal information. Presented at The State of Surveillance, Living in Surveillance Societies, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, 29 May-1 June.

    Harper, D. (2011). Paranoia and public responses to cyber-surveillance. Paper presented at Cyber-Surveillance in Everyday Life: An International Workshop, 12-15 May 2011, University of Toronto.

    Ellis, D., Harper, D., Tucker, I. (2010). The organisation of life: Everyday experiences of surveillance and dataveillance technologies. Paper presented Political Economy of Surveillance workshop, Hilton hotel, Milton Keynes, 9-11 September.

    Temple, J. & Harper, D. (2009). Clairaudience in the Spiritualist Church: When hearing spirits is a culturally sanctioned experience. Paper presented at the First International Congress on Hearing Voices, MECC, Maastricht, 17th-18 September.

    Harper, D. (2008). Constructing (im)plausibility: Health professionals’ accounts of the diagnosis of delusion. First annual conference of BPS Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section, University of Leeds, 1-4 September.

    Harper, D. (2008). Constructing the implausible in talk about ‘delusions’. Paper in thematic session ‘Analysing psychiatric discourse’ and presented at Second Qualitative Research in Mental Health conference, Tampere, Finland, 9-11 June.

    Harper, D. (2008). Mental health politics then and now. Paper presented at ‘Psychotherapy and Liberation: May '68 Anniversary Conference’, 2-4 May, Institute of Group Analysis, London.

    Cromby, J. Harper, D. (2008). The importance of feeling. Paper presented at Beyond Belief: Resisting Cognitivism in Psychological Work conference. Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, 29 February – 1 March.

    Harper, D. & Sholl, C. (2007). Working with young people to challenge discrimination against mental health service users: A psychosocial approach. Paper presented at Social Inclusion Seminar, BPS London Office, 5 October 2007.

    Harper, D. (2007). Moving beyond individualistic approaches: The case of stigma and discrimination. Paper presented at ‘Critical Approaches to Psychology and Psychotherapy’, Department of Clinical Psychology & Psychological Therapies, Barnet Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust.

    Harper, D. & Vakili, K. (2007). From stigma to discrimination. Paper presented at International Society. Fifth Biennial Conference of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology, Endicott College, Boston North Shore, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 18-21 July.

    Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Reavey, P. (2006). Mental Health Teaching in UK Psychology: results of a survey. Paper presented at PLAT2006: Psychology, Learning & Teaching conference, York St John University College, York, 27-29 June. Parallel session.

    Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Sutton, N. (2006). Marginalisation and paranoia. Paper presented at ‘Qualitative research and marginalisation’, Leicester University, 3-5 May. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2005). Reconceptualising delusions and paranoia. Paper presented at International conference of Critical Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, 28 June - 1 July. Parallel session.

    Cromby, J., Harper, D. & Reavey, P. (2005). Mental Health Teaching to UK Psychology Undergraduates: summary of survey results. Paper presented at Psychology and mental health: New directions for undergraduate teaching, Higher Education Academy Psychology day conference. BPS office, London, 4 April 2005. Plenary session.

    Cromby, J. & Harper, D. (2004). Paranoia and social inequality. Paper presented at 'Challenging inequalities: what can community psychologists do?' conference, Exeter, 14-15 October. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2004). Rethinking paranoia. Paper presented at Paranoia Network conference, 'Paranoia: What can we know about it and how?' conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, 24 July. Plenary session.

    Harper, D. (2003). Compromise or collusion, contradictory or critical? Reflections of one critical clinical psychologists’ involvement in UK Mental Health Act campaigns. International Conference of Critical Psychology, University of Bath, 27-31 August. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2003). Deconstructing paranoia. Paper presented at International Conference of Narrative Therapy & Community Work. University of Liverpool, July 9-11. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2001). Psychiatric and psychological concepts in understanding psychotic experiences: Some challenges and dilemmas. Paper presented at DCP symposium 'Recent advances in psychological understanding of mental illness and psychotic experiences: The report of the Division of Clinical Psychology' at British Psychological Society Centenary Conference, Glasgow, 28-31 March. Parallel session.

    Harper, D. (2001). Deconstructing Paranoia. Narrative Therapy & Community Work Conference, Adelaide. [Successfully applied for £800 grant from British Academy but had to cancel attendance due to serious family illness]

    Harper, D. (1999). Reconceptualising 'delusions' as a breakdown in the discursive accomplishment of plausibility. Paper presented at 'Qualitative Research: Unity and Diversity' The 18th International Human Science Research Conference. Sheffield, 26-29 July. Parallel session.

    Blog postings

    Harper, D. (2013, 17 June). Debating diagnosis and rethinking the way we teach about mental health.

    Cooke, A., & Harper, D. (2013, 31 May). When the ads don’t work.

    Harper, D. (2013, 31 January). Poverty: who is to blame?

    Publications

    Media work

    Dave has written for the Guardian and been interviewed by BBC Newsnight Scotland, BBC Radio 4, BBC News online, the Guardian, Q magazine and Community Care magazine and the Norwegian Psychological Association.
    Magazine articles:

    Harper, D. (2011). No, we’re not ‘all in this together’. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 18(1), 4.
    Harper, D. (2010). Psychology and the ‘war on terror’ II: Psychological warfare and paranoia. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 17(1), 28–30.
    Harper, D. (2010). Rethinking ‘paranoia’. Asylum: The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry, 17(1), 18–21.

    Newspaper articles:


    Harper, D. (2012, 22 February). The sad truth about the Action for Happiness movement, The Guardian, p. 35. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/21/sad-truth-action-for-happiness-movement
    Parker, I., & Harper, D. (2008, January 25). Other lives: Terence McLaughlin [Obituary]. The Guardian, p. 42.


    Interests

    Teaching: Programmes

    BSc Clinical & Community Psychology
    MSc Clinical & Community Psychology
    Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
    Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology

    Teaching: Modules

    PY7904 (family & systemic therapies)
    PY8201, PY8203, PY8205 (Clinical Psychology Theory & Practice 1, 2 & 3)

    Topics include:

    Social inequalities
    Research methods
    Theoretical aspects of intervention
    Personal and professional development
    Adult mental health problems
    Psychology of mental health
    Psychology and ‘difference’


    Teaching