Dashboard – I'm a Scientist 2024

About Me:

I am a social psychologist interested in all aspects of identity and social relationships, but in particular how they relate to health and well-being. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Psychology at the University of Dundee in Scotland. My PhD explored how places connect people with their history and how they give people a sense of identity and continuity over time. I worked at Nottingham Trent University for many years after I qualified but I have recently joined Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. I teach community, health, and applied social psychology and research methods, and I also supervise student research projects for undergraduates and postgraduates.
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My name is Mhairi (pronounced Vari) and I am mum to four children (including twin boys) and I am a keen runner. I am passionate about community and environmental issues and spend my free time with family, in the countryside, and volunteering. I am also the current Chair of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Social Psychology Section.
My pronouns are:

My pronouns are she/her.
My Work:

My work involves teaching social psychology, mental health, and community psychology. I also teach research skills and supervise student research as well as conducting and publishing my own research. I lead the BPS Social Psychology Section as the current Chair.
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My work involves a mix of activities, which makes it interesting and busy in equal measures. I get to teach lots of topics that I am passionate about including mental health, well-being, social relationships, ageing, stress, stigma, prejudice, and identity. I get to connect with lots of students and help them on their learning journeys and I get to support them in their own research, which is great and very rewarding.

I also get to work with groups and organisations in the communities around the UK in my research work, which means I get to meet lots of people and hear their stories. Sometimes that means working with people who support and/or are refugees, survivors, and people experiencing poverty and homelessness. I hope that my research and outreach work helps to represent the needs and lived experiences of these people who make up our communities.
My Typical Day:

My typical day involves a mix of teaching, running courses, and research.
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In a typical day, I can be found teaching lectures and workshops, and running tutorials for undergraduate and postgraduate students. I will also be involved in tasks linked with the running of university courses such as course design, planning, preparation of resources, supporting a team of lecturers, assessing students’ work and reviewing students’ feedback.

I will also be taking part in research-based activities during the day. Conducting research involves collecting data, planning research, liaising with community partners in voluntary organisations or organisations such as the NHS, and publishing the results of my research. Sometimes, I will be sharing my research findings at conferences, training events and public events in the UK and internationally.
What I'd do with the prize money:

I would like to use the prize money to share information and insights from my research work with local charities with school students and members of the public.

Candidate CV questions (extra)

Education:

I went to Blairgowrie High School in Perthshire, Scotland. After school I attended the University of Dundee, where I did an MA (with honours) in Psychology (with minors in Politics, Philosophy and Social Work), an MSc in Psychological Research Methods, and then a PhD.
Qualifications:

I gained 8 standard grades (the Scottish equivalent of GCSEs). They were: English, Maths, Modern Studies, Art, Biology, Physics, Religious Education, and French. I went on to study Higher Biology, Modern Studies and English.
Work History:

After school I worked as a waitress and a factory worker before going to University. I worked in a shop as a supervisor whilst I was at University.
When I left University, I worked for two years as a Research Assistant in the department where I got my degree. I then began my PhD (in the same university). After that, I moved to Nottingham to begin work as a Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer, and finally Associate Professor.
Employer:

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

My Interview
- How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
  
  Psychologist, Researcher, Public-speaker
  
  What did you want to be after you left school?
  
  I wanted to be an ornithologist for many years, and then a biologist of some sort.
  
  Were you ever in trouble at school?
  
  Not that I can remember but I may have decided to forget!
  
  If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
  
  Probably something in Green Social Presribing or nature conservation
  
  Who is your favourite singer or band?
  
  Radiohead, Elbow, Massive Attack.
  
  What's your favourite food?
  
  Lots of veggies and pasta
  
  If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
  
  Being able to make a difference in communities, being able to influence policy in positive ways, being able to see my children enjoy long and happy lives.
  
  Tell us a joke.
  
  Two fish in tank...one says to the other: 'How do you drive this thing?'