Pepa3a@bangor.ac.uk

  • Other: MRes Sport Psychology
    2018
  • BSc: Sport Health and Exercise Sciences
    2016
  • PhD: Sport Psychology
    2018–2022

Teaching and supervision: In recent years, I have taught research methods and statistics modules to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. In previous years, I have co-supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students toward the successful completion of their research projects. I continue to supervise students throughout their research endeavors today. 

My research interest centre on personality, emotion dysregulation, and risk-taking in relation to health. Throughout my Ph.D., I have explored the agentic emotion regulation benefits of engaging in high-risk sports, such as mountaineering, and the regulatory role our sporting activities play in buffering against social insecurity. I am currently involved in several collaborative projects with organisations such as Healthwise Wales and the Natural Environment Research Council. I am also a lecturer in advanced research methods and statistics, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students the principles and methodologies underlying qualitative and quantitative research.  

2023

2025

  • Project Launch Event – North West Air Ambulance and Bangor University (IPEP): Developing and Embedding a Performance Psychology Package for Air Ambulance Doctors and Paramedics

    Organisations: North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) Charity, Bangor University

    Attendees: Heather Arrowsmith (CEO-NWAA), David Briggs (Operations Director-NWAA), Dr Marley Willegers, Dr Andy Cooke, Prof Tim Woodman (Bangor University), Steve Bell (CI & NWAA Paramedic), NWAA Clinical Team (Doctors and Critical Care Paramedics)

    Output:

    Formal launch of the NWAA Performance Psychology Project held on April 3rd at Barton Air Base. The event introduced the aims, methodology, and participation process to NWAA clinicians, and featured a recorded presentation for wider accessibility. Presentations covered the research context, study design, and participation requirements.

    Key outcomes included:

    Recruitment of 11 participants (25% of clinical cohort to date)

    Launch of social media communications showcasing the IPEP–NWAA collaboration (including a group photo of attendees)

    Distribution of Participant Information Sheets and digital/paper consent forms

    Recorded video made available for ongoing participant engagement (Part 1:

    Project Context; Part 2: Study Aims and Participation Details)

    The event marked the beginning of participant enrolment and data collection, and laid the groundwork for continued engagement with NWAA’s critical care clinical team.

    3 Apr 2025

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • NWAA Funding Support for Dissemination and Future Grant Capture Activities

    Organisations: North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) Charity, Bangor University

    Attendees: Heather Arrowsmith (CEO-NWAA), David Briggs (Operations Director-NWAA), Dr Marley Willegers, Dr Andy Cooke (Bangor University)

    Output:

    Due to a delay in project launch resulting from HRA ethical review timelines, NWAA agreed to fund a 3-month extension to enable continuity in research delivery. This includes salary support (1.0 FTE) for Chief Investigator Dr Marley Willegers to complete data analysis, disseminate findings to academic and operational audiences, and lead future grant capture activity aimed at sustaining and scaling the performance psychology package for critical care teams.

    13 Mar 2025 – 30 Mar 2025

    Activity: Other (Contributor)

2022

  • BUIIA Training and Networking conference

    BU-IIA training and networking conference Bangor University

    19 Oct 2022

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)
  • Healthwise Wales research meeting

    BU-IIA project meeting with Healthwise Wales

    13 Oct 2022

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
  • Who, What, Why not:applying BeSci to population health

    Public Health Wales Behavioral Science Unit Presentation

    12 Oct 2022

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)
  • BU-IIA Funded Project: Agency and Communion in Wales: A Framework to Understand Behaviour, Health and Well-Being During the Wales COVID-19 Response and Recovery

    In this project we will increase understanding of variability in human behaviour during the various phases of Wales’ COVID-19 response and post COVID recovery. We will also shed light on how individual differences influence psychological well-being over time, as the Welsh population continues to adapt to new ways of life in this post-COVID recovery phase. The project will allow us to provide recommendations to the Welsh Government with a view to optimizing their messaging to maximise positive behavioural outcomes (e.g., prosocial behaviours, rule adherence) and minimise costs to health and well-being (e.g., problems associated with high stress) in the population.

    Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £47,535

    4 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023

    Activity: Other (Contributor)

The psychological benefits of engaging in high-risk sporting activities were evident to me from a young age. However, it was not until I attended Bangor University that I aspired to understand the underlying processes that derive such benefits. When I am not at my desk, I can be found paragliding, downhill mountain biking, and riding motocross.