Thesis Title: Co-development of an Intervention Strategy for At-risk Alcohol use in UK Veterinary Workers.

A higher proportion of veterinary workers are believed to drink at risky levels compared to the general population, with veterinary at-risk drinking shown to be associated with poor mental health and the motivation to cope. With high rates of mental ill-health, including suicide rates reported to be four-fold that the general population, alcohol reduction and help-seeking support are important considerations to improve veterianry mental health. Barriers to help-seeking have been identified in this population through exploratory qualitative research and include self-stigma and fear of negative career repercussions (Cormier and Sedon, 2024). A cross-sectional online survey built on these findings by analysing the associations and predictors of alcohol-risk of harm and through  implementation of the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity and Motivation for Behaviour), alcohol reduction and help-seeking barriers and facilitators were also explored (Cormier, Davies and Seddon, 2025 [manuscript in preparation]). This PhD project plans to co-develop an alcohol interventions strategy alongside key stakeholders that aims to be contextualised and robust for this population.

Supervisors: Emma Davies and Jennifer Seddon

Thesis Title: Perceptions, Opportunities and Motivations of urban food growing 

Urban food growing is a practice carried out in many parts of the world, for subsistence (mainly in the developing world) and for leisure, health and well being and societal improvements as well as the production of food in the developed world.  With 85% of the UK’s population living in urban areas (2024), evidence suggests that urban food growing presents a possible solution to many of the challenges presented by  growing urban populations, including biodiversity risk, climate change mitigation, improved societal and health and wellbeing outcomes and a potential impact on food security.  This thesis explores the perceptions of how different language associated with urban food growing are understood, in addition to using an application of the COM-B model to urban food growing, with a view to future intervention development.

The aim of the three studies that form this thesis is to better understand how people perceive some of the different terms used in urban food growing, and to explore how this understanding of the different terms or forms may be used to support policy makers in their decisions around promoting and developing urban food growing. Better understanding of the language used in urban food growing might improve its implementation by UK local authorities

Supervisors: Emma Davies, Mina Samangooei and Sangeetha Thondre

Thesis Title: Designing a behavioural screening tool to address barriers for alcohol use changes among women in mid-life 

Due to the unique physiological, psychological and social needs, alcohol consumption in midlife women has to be addressed differently than in men. Existing screening tools healthcare professionals use in primary care are gender neutral. The screening tools answer the questions about whether women have addiction or misuse but there is no clear route for healthcare professionals how to use this information to help women to reduce alcohol consumption. Additionally, the topic of female drinking is overly stigmatized which prevent the women to disclose and the professionals to ask about drinking.  We aim to craft the screening tool which would give clearer answers for both healthcare professionals and women how to address alcohol issues avoiding stigma-related barriers. 

Supervisors: Emma Davies and Jennifer Seddon

Thesis title: An experience-based co-design study to develop recommendations for child-inclusive approaches to bereavement support in adult intensive care units: in collaboration with primary carers, children, and healthcare professionals 

Annelies’ PhD explores how families with lived experience of intensive care bereavement and healthcare professionals working in adult ICUs can work collaboratively to improve the support offered to children - and those who care for them - when someone important to them is dying in intensive care. Using experience-based co-design, the study brings together the perspectives of primary carers, children, and ICU healthcare professionals to develop evidence-informed recommendations for child-inclusive bereavement support that can be applied in clinical practice.

You can find more about my project here 

Supervisors: Mark Burgess, Jenny Seddon, Adam Baimel

Thesis title: Influences on the decision for young women aged 16-24 to participate in mental health surveys for data collection and policy 

My PhD utilises mixed methods to explore how to encourage a more diverse population of young women aged 16-24 to take part in mental health surveys. A patient and public involvement group has worked alongside me to co-design this research, drawing upon their lived experience.  

Supervisors: Jenny Seddon, Sarah Howcutt, David Foxcroft

Thesis title: The importance of primary Physical Education in England: assessing the acceptability and feasibility of a non-linear approach for parents and teachers.

My thesis looks at Physical Education in the UK through a physical literacy lens, it uses a mixed method approach to consider both parental and teacher perspectives of PE

Supervisors: Kate Wilmut, Stuart Whigham, Will Roberts

Thesis title: Early prosodic development in bilingual and monolingual infants

My research explores how babies learn the rhythm and melody of language, known as prosody, during their first years of life. By comparing bilingual and monolingual infants, I aim to understand how early language exposure shapes the way infants recognise sound patterns and how this supports later word learning.

Supervisors: Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez, Thierry Nazzi and Olivia Afonso

Thesis title: The Role of Working Memory in Orthographic Production: An Investigation of Effects in Typical and Impaired Spelling 

Spelling is a routine yet complex skill relying on multiple cognitive processes to produce the correct sequence of letters that make up a word. A crucial component of this process is working memory, a limited-capacity system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information. This PhD project aims to investigate how the identity and order of letters are maintained in working memory during writing production. 

Supervisors: Olivia Afonso, Michael Pilling and Anna Barnett

Thesis title: Comparison Processes in Visual Short-Term Memory 

Visual Short-Term Memory (VSTM) is a memory store of recently viewed information, necessary in order to support ongoing perceptual and cognitive tasks such as object recognition and visually guided action. The aim of this project is to understand the role of VSTM in supporting active comparison between memory and perception that allows us to notice similarities and changes in the world, specifically with respect to changes in spatial location.

Supervisors: Michael Pilling, Olivia Afonso

Thesis title: Self-conscious emotion in depression 

My PhD research examines how shame and guilt contribute to depression and how self-compassion may help regulate these emotions. Using behavioural and neurophysiological methods, including EEG and TMS, the project aims to identify the brain mechanisms linking self-conscious emotion to depressive symptoms. The findings will help inform treatment approaches that specifically address these emotional processes in depression. 

Supervisors: Sanjay Kumar, Clare Rathbone

Thesis title: A Neurocogntive exploration of Self-referential processing in Depression.

My PhD investigates self-referential processing in depression using EEG and TMS to explore the neural mechanisms underlying self-focused thought and its regulation. By combining electrophysiological measures with causal brain stimulation, I aim to clarify how alterations in self-related processing contribute to depressive cognition and affect. 

Supervisors: Sanjay Kumar, Michael Pilling, Alfred Veldhuis

Thesis title: Promoting Welfare Support for Armed Forces Reservists' families and their Community 

UK Armed Forces Reservists’ families welfare support needs differ to those for Regular Armed Forces families, as well as the extent to which they contribute to the families’ quality of life. This research compares needs against current welfare support provision, identifies gaps, and will make recommendations for supporting Reservists families’ with their welfare needs, as well as identifying areas for further research. This is not just about welfare support for families during operational deployment, but also day to day welfare and support services. 

Supervisors: Vince Connelly, Sarah Hennelly

Thesis title: Specialist mentoring and autistic students in higher education: Exploring engagement, experience and outcomes. 

My research explores how students’ experiences and engagement with specialist mentoring change over time at university. By examining both student and mentor perspectives, I aim to identify what makes mentoring effective in supporting wellbeing, academic success, and inclusive practice in higher education.

Further information regarding my research project can be found here

Supervisors: Louise Taylor, Luci Wiggs, Hossein Sadeghi Movahed

Thesis Title: The aftermath of criminal conviction - How victim-survivors of sexual abuse frame justice, recovery and self-concept following a perpetrator's verdict

My PhD studies the impact of a perpetrator's conviction or acquittal on recovery in sexually abused adult women

Supervisors: Mark Burgess, Rosemary Chigevenga

and Sarah Hennelly

Thesis title: Understanding the Psychological Contract of UK Armed Forces Reservists: A Framework for Role Satisfaction and Retention 

This PhD explores the psychological contract of UK Armed Forces Reservists as the central framework for understanding role satisfaction and retention. It focuses on the unwritten expectations between Reservists and the Armed Forces, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced by these multiple jobholders balancing military, civilian, and personal commitments.

Using an occupational psychology lens, the research draws on socio-cognitive theory of multiple jobholding, organisational justice, job design, and career development models to better understand these expectations and how they influence continued military service.

The findings aim to inform the design of targeted retention interventions, supporting the Armed Forces in sustaining a skilled and committed Reserve component.

Supervisors: Vince Connelly, Emma Davies

Thesis Title: Lifelong soundtracks: Exploring the role of the self in music engagement across the lifespan.

My PhD investigates how and why adults consume music across the lifespan, examining changes in music preferences, the roles of identity, mood, and nostalgia, and the effects of favourite and familiar songs. It concludes with a study on brain injury patients, exploring how favourite music may support mood and identity during rehabilitation.

You can find more about my project here

Supervisors: Clare Rathbone, Adam Lonsdale and Mark Burgess