• Question: how does your role help The wider community

    Asked by anon-237366 to Peter, Mhairi, Madeleine, Catherine, Andrew on 13 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Peter Kinderman

      Peter Kinderman answered on 13 Mar 2020:

      That’s an important question… and I try my best!
      I work as an NHS Clinical Psychologist as well as a professor at the university (but that’s not unusual), and I’ve tried to have a social / community focus through my career.
      I’ve done a lot – from working in human rights (I had a small role in the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency for a while) to advising on changes to the law.
      I think it’s important that we do this kind of thing.
      I made a speech a while ago about this exact issue – here: https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/files/History%20of%20Psychology/Presidential%20Address%20-%202017%20Peter%20Kinderman.pdf
      It’s quite a long article (sorry), but I basically say that psychology is fundamentally about the things that really matter – relationships, optimism, a sense of meaning and purpose, personal agency. And philosophical concepts – fairness, respect, identity, equity, dignity and autonomy – underpin our fundamental human rights and have clear links to psychology.
      I argued that psychologists are well placed to help protect the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens – children; migrants; survivors of hate crimes, abuse and bullying; people with disabilities and people in receipt of state benefits; people living with dementia and people experiencing challenges to their mental health and psychological wellbeing. And, yes, this means going beyond the comfort zone of individual psychology and embracing the political agenda.

    • Photo: Madeleine Pownall

      Madeleine Pownall answered on 13 Mar 2020:

      Well… my research is all about trying to understand how people make judgements about other people. When our judgements about others are based on overly simple information, this can result in stereotypes (which are basically broad ideas about who people are and what people should be). The more we understand the causes and motivations behind stereotyping, the more we can look at reducing it! Stereotypes lead to sexism (my area of expertise), racism, ageism, and homophobia (to name just a few!). I try to make sure that my research is communicated to the wider community by writing lots, talking to lots of people (and engaging in programmes like the I’m a Scientist programme!)

    • Photo: Mhairi Bowe

      Mhairi Bowe answered on 14 Mar 2020:

      I am interested in identifying what promotes well-being and reduces the distress associated with poor mental health, loneliness, and isolation. By studying this and what can be done to support each other, my work helps inform communities, policy makers, and organisations on how best to
      cooperate to increase community health and well-being.

    • Photo: Andrew McNeill

      Andrew McNeill answered on 16 Mar 2020:

      My big area of research is about findings way to reduce conflict between groups. Working alongside other researchers I try to understand the things we can do to reduce this.

    • Photo: Catherine Talbot

      Catherine Talbot answered on 17 Mar 2020:

      Good question! My work looks to help those who are most vulnerable in society and who experience discrimination. My recent work has focused on people with dementia who are discriminated against, experience a loss of identity, and experience isolation. I aim to help these people by challenging stereotypes about dementia (e.g. dementia is not just about memory loss, it has other symptoms) and by showing that social media can be a valuable source of social connection for people with dementia.

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