My research explores how people make sense of themselves, others, and the world around them during periods of challenge, uncertainty, and change.
Much of my work sits at the intersection of clinical psychology, environmental psychology, and public mental health. I am particularly interested in how individuals and communities respond to large-scale social and environmental challenges, and what psychology can contribute to building resilience, meaning, and wellbeing.
Climate Change and Mental Health
A major focus of my research concerns the psychological impacts of climate change.
This work has explored climate distress, eco-anxiety, climate-related coping, pro-environmental behaviour, and the ways in which individuals engage with environmental challenges. I am interested not only in the distress that climate change can evoke, but also in the opportunities it presents for meaning, connection, community engagement, and positive change.
I have published research examining climate distress in young people and adults, how people cope with climate-related concerns, and the role of psychological factors such as self-efficacy, social identity, and connection to nature.
The Future Role of Psychology
Climate change raises important questions about the future role of psychological professions.
My research has explored how clinical psychology may adapt to a rapidly changing world, including the implications of climate change for mental health services, training, professional practice, and public policy. I am interested in how psychology can contribute to both adaptation and resilience at individual, community, and societal levels.
This work includes the development of professional guidance, educational resources, and collaborations with clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.
Eating Disorders, Identity, and Selfhood
A second major area of interest concerns eating disorders and identity.
My work has explored how experiences such as anorexia nervosa can become intertwined with an individual’s sense of self, values, relationships, and social identity. I am particularly interested in how people make sense of recovery, and how psychological approaches can support the development of identities beyond the eating disorder.
This work has included research into emotional processes, perfectionism, shame, autism, and the lived experience of eating disorders.
Nature, Behaviour, and Wellbeing
Drawing on my background in environmental psychology, I am interested in the factors that encourage people to engage with nature and act in environmentally sustainable ways.
This research has examined topics such as nature connectedness, environmental values, pro-environmental behaviour, and the psychological benefits of engagement with the natural world.
Research Supervision and Collaboration
I supervise doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate research projects across a range of topics relating to climate change, mental health, eating disorders, identity, wellbeing, and psychological adaptation to social and environmental change.
I welcome opportunities for collaboration with researchers, clinicians, community organisations, and policymakers who share an interest in these areas.
For a full list of publications, please visit the Publications page.