51cg

Biography

I am a social psychologist with a primary interest in social cognition. I received both an MA (2011) and PhD (2015) in Psychology from the 51cg. Following my PhD I joined Abertay University as a post-doctoral Research Fellow before returning to Aberdeen in 2017 where I am now the Undergraduate Programme Coordinator for Psychology. I am a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS).  

I co-lead the Person Perception Lab where work includes examining the formation, evolution and influence of stereotypes as well as examining self-processing biases i.e., where information related to the self attracts attention and is better remembered. I also co-lead the Gender Stereotypes Lab where work includes gender stereotype development and the impact of gender stereotypes and social learning on young people’s decision making. Our current work in this area is designed to understand and combat the influence of gender stereotypes on the academic subject choices made by adolescents.

I have a strong interest in widening participation and much of my pedagogical research focuses on this area. Recent work in this area includes examining how lecture recordings support learning and how to support students entering university from college. 

I enjoy public engagement, mainly working with local schools to deliver workshops around stereotype research.

Research Overview

My research interests lie the field of social cognition. My research examines how stereotypes form and evolve via cultural evolution (how information changes as it is transmitted from person to person) and gender stereotype development and the influence of gender stereotypes and social learning on adolescents' academic subject choices.

I also explore how we process information about the self and others and how this influences our cognition and behaviour, such as self-processing biases in both children and adults.

I am interested in topics around widening participation and education in terms of experiences and outcomes for students.  

Teaching Responsibilities

PS1509: Level 1 Introductory Psychology Concepts and Theory - Evolutionary Psychology

PS4551: Level 4 - The Social Self

Small group teaching

PS2017/PS2517: Level 2 Advanced Psychology Concepts and Theory

PS2018/PS2518: Level 2 Methods and Applications

PS3015/PS3522: Level 3 Methodology 

PS4019 Psychology Thesis 

PS4038 Psychology Joint Honours Thesis 

PS5527: Core Principles in Psychology