Research degrees with the School of Human and Social Sciences

Understanding how children create online avatars and their gender-based behaviours is an important component of the evolving dynamics of digital spaces and their impact on identity formation.

Avatars serve as digital representations through which children project their selves and their understanding of societal values and expectations. The existing research on adult avatar creation suggests that the avatar in turn affects the behaviour and values of its creator, in both online and offline contexts.

By exploring how children create, conceptualise and personalise their avatars, you will aim to uncover underlying cognitive and socio-cultural influences shaping their understanding of gender roles and stereotypes. Furthermore, studying gender-based behaviour within online environments enables us to identify how traditional gender norms may be adopted, adapted or subverted, shedding light on how digital interactions may either perpetuate or challenge existing inequalities.

Insights gleaned from such research can inform educational practices, digital literacy initiatives and policy interventions aimed at promoting gender equality and fostering healthier online environments. 

• Supervisor: Professor Mark Coulson
• Contact: mark.coulson@uwl.ac.uk 

The effects of attention and expectation on conscious perception are extensively researched, yet their combined effect on shaping experience remains largely unexplored. Previous research indicates that under conditions of inattention coupled with high expectations, observers often report perceiving stimuli such as colour patches, grids of letters or faces even when none are present, a phenomenon coined "expectation awareness." This indicates that expectations can independently sculpt our conscious perceptions, separate from attention. 

Utilising predictive coding frameworks, this project will investigate how different levels of sensory and expectation precision influence conscious perception. This research will incorporate psychophysical, behavioural and electrophysiological techniques, and will broaden the study of expectation awareness to include various types of visual information like motion, depth, texture, colour and complex scenes. 

Ultimately, this work aims to further our comprehension of the cognitive processes that govern conscious perception and offer new insights into how the brain constructs perceived reality. 

• Supervisor: Dr Jason Clarke
• Contact: jason.clarke@uwl.ac.uk 

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition that leads to problems with breathing and digestion affecting about one in every 2,500 babies in the UK with an average life expectancy of 41 years (Cronly et al, 2019). Research has indicated that mental health concerns like depression and anxiety are common among people with CF, emerging in childhood and, if untreated, can have a negative impact on both physical and psychological quality of life (eg reduced lung function compounds anxiety; Bathgate et al, 2022).

Whilst research attests to the mental health difficulties faced by people with CF, research has primarily used scales developed for the general population reducing precision and ignoring the lived uniqueness of the condition (Finlay et al., 2022). The following programme of research aims to address this issue by developing a clinic-friendly self-report scale assessing mental health in people with CF and reassessing mental health prevalence in the CF community. 

Supervisor: Associate Professor Robert Vaughan

Contact: robert.vaughan@uwl.ac.uk 

Ongoing changes in the climate have led to acute environmental events such as chronic flooding in the United Kingdom. These events are directly linked to the development of anxiety, depression, substance use, the exacerbation of pre-existing mental health diagnosis and connected to delayed preparedness (Fernandez et al, 2015; Hrabok et al, 2020; Lawrance et al, 2021).

Resilience-based interventions show promise for reducing poor mental health due to flood. However this has not been tested regarding preparedness for future flooding (James et al, 2020). The aim of the project will be to develop and test a resiliency-based intervention with local communities impacted by flood in the UK to reduce poor mental health and enhance future preparedness. The study methodology will include mixed methods.

This interdisciplinary project will span psychological sciences involving both field and desk research. 

• Supervisor: Dr Nicole M Miller
• Contact: nicole.miller@uwl.ac.uk 

Homesickness is an important factor affecting the wellbeing of people who move from an identified home to a new place, whether for reasons of study, work, conflict or natural events. It is distinct from nostalgia, sojourner adjustment, culture shock and separation anxiety. Estimates suggest that homesick students are three times more likely to drop out of university.

This project will focus on the development and evaluation of interventions designed to ameliorate homesickness. In particular, while homesickness involves missing both people and places, the advent of cheap and ubiquitous digital communications makes contacting those "at home" almost effortless. In contrast, the physical sense of homesickness for places is not so easily addressed.

We have produced pilot data which suggests three sessions of fifteen minutes VR immersion in participants’ home environments (defined as their local neighbourhood, accessible though Google Streetview) reduces homesickness and decreases feelings of attachment to home. The successful candidate will develop and expand this work, ideally using RCT methods and VR, and examine correlates and mediators of the experience and treatment of homesickness. 

• Supervisor: Professor Mark Coulson
• Contact: mark.coulson@uwl.ac.uk 

Social influence in the form of comparison to others can affect subsequent behaviours (Pedersen, et al, 2008). It has been suggested that social media affects peer socialisation through both modelling and reinforcement, potentially influencing sociocultural norms of risk-orientated behaviours. For example, perceived norms of heavy drinking of other students as a reference group may influence heavy drinking behaviours amongst new students. 

Theories (e.g. PWM; Gibbons, et al, 2003) suggest that individuals may not have intentions to engage in risky behaviours but may exhibit a greater willingness in certain situations affected by influential images of others (Gibbons, et al, 2003). 

Research has assessed adolescents’ cognitions and perceptions of norms as influenced by social media profiles with alcohol-related photos, finding that representations of older peers’ alcohol use had a significant influence on the participants’ willingness to use alcohol (Litt & Stock, 2011). Another study found that adolescents who viewed social media photos of risky activities showed decreased activation of inhibition-related brain areas (Sherman, et al., 2016). 

The proposed research aims to examine how social media images of risky behaviours influence individuals’ perceptions of social norms.

• Supervisor: Dr Henry Johnson
• Contact: henry.johnson@uwl.ac.uk 

There is a growing recognition that neurodiversity and mental health challenges both increase the risk of addiction, yet little is known about how these three conditions interact and affect access to treatment, which is often fragmented. 

This PhD project seeks to explore the complex relationship between mental health, neurodiversity and addiction, and how these factors impact treatment access. The research aims to provide new insights into integrated treatment approaches and improve outcomes for individuals facing these challenges. 

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study will combine qualitative interviews with individuals in recovery, quantitative surveys, cognitive functioning assessments and clinical data analysis. 

• Supervisor: Dr Raffaella Milani 
• Contact: raffaella.milani@uwl.ac.uk 

This doctoral research aims to explore the interplay between executive function and addiction in athletes. Research has identified significant correlations between compromised executive function (i.e. executive dysfunction) and the development of addiction.

Deficits in general cognition significantly predict addiction treatment outcomes, such as therapeutic adherence and relapse. Notably, impairments in reward-based decision-making are linked to higher relapse rates, while general cognition deficits are associated with poorer therapeutic adherence (Domínguez-Salas et al. 2016). Furthermore, maladaptive coping strategies, such as substance use, are frequently adopted by athletes in response to stress, potentially leading to addiction (Knettel et al, 2023).

This research can employ a quantitative or a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative assessments of executive function through standardised neuropsychological tests, and qualitative analyses via semi-structured interviews focusing on experiences and addiction histories. By identifying specific executive deficits linked to addiction, this project aims to contribute to targeted interventions that can enhance mental health support systems for athletes and reducing the risk of addiction. 

• Supervisor: Dr Alex Wilson
• Contact: alex.wilson@uwl.ac.uk 

Explore the critical and complex issue of parental alienation (PA), a form of abuse that targets the parent-child relationship (Hine, 2023). This project is an opportunity to research a subject that is increasingly recognised in both psychological and legal contexts, particularly in England and Wales (Barnett, 2020).

Parental alienation occurs when a child is influenced by one parent to reject the other parent without justification, leading to long-term psychological impact (Harman et al, 2022). This research would focus on understanding the nuances of PA, its long-term effects on children as they transition into adulthood, and its intricate role within the legal frameworks of England and Wales.

You will explore critical questions: How does PA shape the psychological development of children into adulthood? What are its lasting emotional and mental health impacts? How is PA perceived and addressed in family law courts, and what are the implications for legal decisions in custody disputes? 

• Supervisor: Professor Ben Hine
• Contact: ben.hine@uwl.ac.uk 

Physical, sexual, emotional and psychological violence against a person due to their gender is an international issue otherwise known as gender-based violence. Almost one in three women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime, with extreme cases resulting in loss of life (WHO, 2021). 

This PhD seeks to understand factors that predict and mitigate against gender-based violence. Specifically, this programme of research will explore the psychological characteristics, backgrounds and behavioural patterns of individuals who commit or are at a higher risk of perpetrating acts of gender-based violence in real world or online settings. The project will also aim to develop psychological resilience factors that help survivors of gender-based violence recover and rebuild their lives. 

This work could use either quantitative methods such as surveys or qualitative methods such as interviews or both in a mixed methods design. This research will be used to inform policy and safeguarding with the hope of reducing gender-based violence. 

• Supervisor: Dr Cynthia Cordova-Sanchez 
• Contact: cynthia.cordovasanchez@uwl.ac.uk 

Athlete burnout is a pervasive psychophysiological dysfunction caused by chronic stress (Gustafsson et al, 2017). High burnout can lead to several detrimental biopsychosocial outcomes (eg depression, exhaustion and demotivation; Ryu et al, 2015). This prolonged exposure to stress can also lead to a reduction in cognitive health (Renaud & Lacroix, 2023).

To date, research has focused on the antecedents of burnout in effort to attenuate potential interventions and treatments with mixed success (Renaud & Lacroix, 2023). The following research seeks to explore the bi-directional relationship between executive functions, a top-down set of cognitive processes responsible for controlling behaviour (Diamond, 2016) and athlete burnout. Efforts to understand this relationship have been largely exploratory and cross-sectional creating a research gap for the current work to; a) conduct a literature synthesis of the research thus far, b) understand the direct and possible indirect relationship, c) estimate the longitudinal association, and d) design a scalable intervention. 

• Supervisor: Associate Professor Robert Vaughan
• Contact: robert.vaughan@uwl.ac.uk 

Trait and behavioural self-control have been implicated in various substance and behavioural addictions (Dineen & Dinc, 2024; Dinc & Marzetti, 2022; Herman & Duka, 2019). However, we have limited knowledge of the risk factors that affect the link between the two. 

This research aims to explore the extent to which individual differences in personality, motivation, mood and cognitive processes influence the relationship between self-control and various addictions using quantitative methods. 

A better understanding of the direct and indirect relationships between these variables can lead to development of more effective and focused prevention and intervention strategies for behavioural and substance addictions while informing relevant policies. 

This research will employ multiple methods such as online surveys, lab-based research including use of Eyetracker and EEGbiofeedback to explore the self-control and addiction association. 

• Supervisor: Dr Linda Dinc 
• Contact: linda.dinc@uwl.ac.uk 

This research project will build upon the previous TRUST intervention study (Kidane, 2021), which demonstrated the effectiveness of culturally adapted trauma therapy for Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia. 

Applicants will work on adapting this intervention for Eritrean refugee/asylum-seeking youth aged 16-25 in the UK, considering cultural, linguistic and contextual factors specific to this group. 

The research will involve three key phases: 

1. a systematic review of existing trauma support outcomes for refugees in the UK, identifying gaps and effective approaches 
2. contextualising and adapting TRUST to the UK context through consultations with stakeholders 
3. testing its effectiveness using a quasi-experimental design, where the intervention will be delivered via smartphone-based sessions. 

The study aims to evaluate the impact of the TRUST model on PTSD symptoms, resilience and social capital among participants, ultimately providing a scalable, culturally sensitive solution to address trauma in vulnerable refugee youth. 

• Supervisor: Dr Selam Kidane 
• Contact: selam.kidane@uwl.ac.uk 

This programme will delve into the complexities of domestic violence (DV), emphasising the critical need to understand the situational and distal factors influencing perpetrators' behaviour.

This could include exploring the efficacy and impact of Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programs (DAPPs). These interventions are central to addressing DV, yet there is much to learn about their effectiveness and how they can be improved (Hine et al, 2022). As a PhD candidate, you will have the opportunity to contribute to this vital area of study, exploring innovative strategies to enhance the efficacy of DAPPs.

Your research will involve an in-depth analysis of various intervention models, examining their outcomes and identifying key factors that contribute to their success or failure. You will study the psychological, social and environmental factors that influence abusive behaviour, aiming to develop more tailored and effective intervention strategies.

• Supervisor: Professor Ben Hine
• Contact: ben.hine@uwl.ac.uk 

• Supervisor: Dr Kyprianos Georgiou
• Contact: kyprianos.georgiou@uwl.ac.uk 

This investigation seeks to rigorously analyse the complexities of racism within the UK Metropolitan Police by establishing three-stage research. 

Initially, the study will examine the distinctions of racism from discrimination as they are manifested within the constabulary, thus enhancing the theoretical discourse in a law enforcement setting. The subsequent study is to scrutinise the cognitive dispositions of individual officers to identify potential associations between mental frameworks and racial prejudice, thereby shedding light on the psychological aspects of bigotry. Lastly, through the lens of institutional theory, the research will interrogate the organisational foundations that may entrench systemic racism, examining entrenched practices and cultural norms. 

This strategic approach provides a comprehensive dissection of both the individual and institutional influences that shape racial biases within the Met Police, offering substantial contributions to the field and informing future policy and transformational initiatives. 

• Supervisor: Dr Tak Ming Yu 
• Contact: takming.yu@uwl.ac.uk 

This project will aim to advance the field of investigative decision-making by developing an integrated framework to enhance both effectiveness and integrity in criminal investigations. 

Drawing from interdisciplinary principles in criminology, psychology, behavioural and forensic analysis, alongside advanced technological tools, this research will create a structured, evidence-based approach to support complex investigative processes. The framework will improve decision accuracy and accountability in law enforcement, addressing current challenges in investigative practices. 

You will collaborate with experts across fields, contributing to innovative research that has the potential to shape future investigative methodologies in law enforcement. 

• Supervisor: Dr Rashid Minhas
• Contact: rashid.minhas@uwl.ac.uk 

Instead of treating antisemitism and Islamophobia as divergent in this project, we are seeking applicants interested in examining their commonalities. This can be done in a number of ways, such as focusing on:

• perpetrators
• ideologies; for instance, exploring the factors that contribute to the development of Islamophobic/antisemitic beliefs (such as the role of prejudice, stereotypes and cognitive biases and the way that these shape individual attitudes towards Muslim/Jewish people
• media representations; for instance, exploring the impact of positive or negative portrayals on Islamophobic/antisemitic incidents, and examining the role of social media in the spread of Islamophobic/antisemitic content
• and/or manifestations in one or more localities

We are also open to applications who wish to look at – and possibly work with – organisations that seek to combat both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Analyse trends, platforms and the effectiveness of countermeasures in combating online hate speech against Muslim/Jewish people.

This project has been set up in an open way to invite candidates with a strong interest in taking it in a particular direction. 

• Supervisor: Dr Maya Flax
• Contact: maya.flax@uwl.ac.uk 

The Méndez Principles advocate for rapport-based interviewing in criminal justice investigations as an alternative to coercive methods, aiming to uphold human rights while enhancing investigative effectiveness. However, the influence of negative stereotyping on the application of these principles remains underexplored.

This project seeks to investigate how negative stereotyping affects the application of the Méndez Principles, with a focus on understanding its implications for rapport-building, information gathering and compliance with international human rights standards.

By examining the intersection of negative stereotyping and the Méndez Principles, you will aim to provide insights into the dynamics of police interviews and their impact on investigative outcomes. Through qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g. surveys and semi-structured interviews), you will explore the mechanisms underlying negative stereotyping and its effects on decision-making processes among investigations.

Ultimately, you will aim to develop strategies and interventions to mitigate the influence of negative stereotypes on the application of Méndez Principles, promoting fair and equitable treatment of suspects and witnesses while upholding the Méndez principles within the framework of the United Nations Convention against Torture.

Overall, this research contributes to advancing our understanding of how bias shapes investigative practices and offers practical solutions to address systemic challenges within the criminal justice system. 

• Supervisor: Dr Rashid Minhas
• Contact: rashid.minhas@uwl.ac.uk 

Speech evaluations linked to stereotyping have been extensively researched in the areas of social psychology, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics. However, less is known about the role of social perceptions in the context of criminal justice. 

Lippi-Green’s (1992) seminal paper on the role of accent and standard language ideology has paved the way for bridging critical language studies and criminology by examining the role of standard language ideology and accents as discriminatory pretexts in the courts. Recent studies in the area of criminal justice suggest that police engage in profiling grounded in cultural, religious and racial stereotypes (Minhas & Frumkin, 2023). Frumkin and Thompson (2020) investigated the impact of British regional accents on evaluations of eyewitness testimony in criminal trials. Their findings suggest that standard language ideology linked to accents could have repercussions and result in linguistic discrimination in criminal trials. 

We would like to further explore this line of inquiry by adopting a raciolinguistic perspective (Flores & Rosa, 2015) that seeks to understand the role of the white gaze and the white listening subject in speech perceptions in the context of criminal investigations. 

• Supervisor: Dr Viktoria Magne
• Contact: viktoria.magne@uwl.ac.uk 

The era of populist politics has been central to heightening antagonisms, including culture wars, across many regions in the world. This is a time when openly racist, nativist and exclusionary politics are prominent in ways they have not been for some decades. Drawing on the use of conjunctural analysis by Stuart Hall and others, this project seeks to analyse the rise and forms of populist and authoritarian politics in a specific domain. 

This project invites students who are interested in exploring an area such as: 

• Anti-migrant movements
• Penal/crime populism
• Higher education, freedom of speech and critical race theory

The call is open to other focuses. Applicants are invited to submit an outline idea for investigation, specifying the area, the geographic context and any ideas about methods, such as ethnography, digital ethnography, critical discourse analysis, social movement and or social network analysis. Other methods are also possible and welcome. 

• Supervisor: Professor Karim Murji
• Contact: karim.murji@uwl.ac.uk 

This project examines the prevalence and types of violence among teenagers within and outside school environments across different regions of England. It seeks to analyse the social, psychological and environmental factors that contribute to teenage violence. It aims to propose and test effective strategies, tools and knowledge to create safe learning environment and support teenagers. 

The project can utilise mixed methods using existing data from law enforcement and educational authorities to analyse trends in teenage violence. It can conduct interviews and focus groups with students, teachers, parents and security personnel to understand personal experiences and perceptions of violence. The project aims collaborate with educators, psychologists and law enforcement experts to develop comprehensive intervention programmes pilot interventions in selected schools to test their effectiveness. 

• Supervisor: Dr Manzoorul Abedin 
• Contact: manzoorul.abedin@uwl.ac.uk 

This project is designed to determine how effectively the FSM program reaches eligible students across various demographics and regions. Simultaneously, the project can evaluate the nutritional standards of the meals provided compared to national dietary guidelines. 

The project can measure the relationship between meal consumption and students' academic outcomes. By examining logistical, financial and social challenges in implementing the current policies, the project aims to recommend policy reforms and implementation strategies targeted to health and educational benefits. 

The project may take a case study approach, which might include (but not limited to) collecting samples of meals from a variety of schools across different regions and analysing the nutritional content in a laboratory setting to determine caloric and nutrient density. The project can also create surveys for students, parents and school staff to gather subjective assessments of meal quality and student health and develop a standardised method for reporting perceived impacts on student alertness and academic performance. 

• Supervisor: Dr Manzoorul Abedin
• Contact: manzoorul.abedin@uwl.ac.uk