I am a developmental behavioural psychologist with a strong applied focus and an international outlook.

I have earned my Psychology BSc in London and PhD in Bangor. My teaching is grounded in research. My interests include child development; health and wellbeing; development of evidence-based early interventions; and eating behaviour.

I am presently a Disability, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Tutor for the School.

Brigantia 317, Penrallt Rd

Office ext 3107

Mob +44 (0)7984 090803

I am the module organiser and lecturer on

PPP-4014 Topics in Child Health and Wellbeing postgraduate Masters module

PPP-3015 Psychophysiology of Eating undergraduate Year 3 module

PPP-2012 Developmental Psychology undergraduate Year 2 module

I supervise PhD, Masters, and Undergraduate research projects in several areas of developmental, behavioural, and applied psychology research.

I welcome PhD applications from international students.

My research interests are varied. These are some of the ongoing research projects in my lab.

Poor social support and lifestyle are linked to poor mental health in pregnancy, but these factors have seldom been explored in a culturally sensitive manner. We are presently investigating the experiences of women in Kuwait using qualitative and mixed research methodology. This project is supported by PhD funding provided by Kuwait Ministry of Education to Mona Almutawtah. Collaborators include Dr Hans-Peter Kubis (Bangor) and Emma Campbell (NHS).

In the past five years, we have been exploring determinants of health and wellbeing in 8-11 year old children with Type 1 diabetes and their healthy counterparts in Kuwait. Children with Type 1 diabetes and their families often struggle and can experience poor mental health and lifestyle changes in response to their illness. This was exacerbated under the hardship of the pandemic. This project was supported by PhD funding provided by Kuwait Ministry of Health to Afrah Alazmi. Collaboratior: Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).

In collaboration with Coed Lleol, we have been investigating whether wodland environment activities could support families with pre-school children to make better nutritional choices. This project was supported by KESS II funding for Masters by Research. The research team includes Ramiga Kirupaikkumaran (KESS scholar), Dr Natasha Simons (Coed Lleol), and Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).

My other projects include

Supporting early detection and intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in colleaboration with EDUS (NGO), UNICEF, Dr Nirvana Pistoljevic (Columbia University), and Mr Eldin Dzanko (Technical University of Munich).

In collaboration with Conwy Council school caterers, we have been conducting a series of studies to implement positive changes in dining rooms of local primary schools. This type of intervention may be a cheap alternative to complex interventions and an effective healthy eating maintenance measure that schools can implement themselves. Collaborators on this project include Dr Ellie Marcano-Olivier (Birmingham City University) and Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).

Teaching children to enjoy eating their fruit and vegetables (Food Dudes) and engaging in physical activity (Dynamic Dudes): I have been especially interested in application of the healtyhy eating interventions in special schools and with children diagnosed with autism. Collaborators include Prof Pauline Horne (Bangor), Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor) and Dr Catherine Sharp (Bristol).

I am very happy to supervise dedicated and industrious PhD students. My research interests and expertise include child health and wellbeing; evidence-based behavioural change programmes; early interventions; developmental behaviour analysis; and pediatric psychology. My applied research includes development and evaluation of new healthy eating and activity programmes and early interventions in the UK and internationally; working with typically developing children in preschool and primary settings; with children with disabilities in special schools; and investigating factors that affect wellbeing of children and their families more broadly. My research in cognitive development examines the mechanisms of imitation and social learning in infancy and childhood. I have collaborated with scientists and organisations across the world including UNICEF; World Bank Group; NGOs (e.g., EDUS in Bosnia and Herzegovina); SMEs (e.g. Pennotec in Wales); Charities (e.g., Coed Lleol in Wales), Health Ministries; Public Health commissioners; and a variety of other institutions in the UK and abroad.

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  • PublishedIn memoriam: C. Fergus Lowe 1946–2014
    Erjavec, M., Horne, P., Hughes, C. & Sharp, C., 17 Sept 2015, In: Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior. 104, 2, p. 93-95
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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