Chris' Profile
Job title
Psychology Teaching and Learning Technician
Academic qualifications
Msc Mental Health Psychology, Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, BSc Hons Psychology
"I've performed stand-up comedy, been a sabre fencer, and even a scout leader – experiences that, alongside my professional background, help me make complex psychological ideas tangible for my students."
I am a Chartered Health Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. I bring my wide-ranging expertise to my teaching and practice, focusing on areas such as drugs and alcohol interventions, risky behaviour, research methods, minimal interventions, and the management of appearance-based and chronic conditions. I teach both our undergraduate and master’s conversion courses, actively integrating real-world experience and evidence-based approaches into every session.
My professional background is rooted in a broad range of applied psychology roles, including neuropsychology and psychiatric work in NHS and third-sector settings. I’ve delivered cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused interventions to children and adults, in group settings and also one-to-one. My previous roles involved developing and delivering computer systems and training programmes for people with visual impairments, allowing me to see firsthand the difference practical, accessible resources can make. As a psychology technician and lecturer in research methods and health psychology, I also gained a keen understanding of how to support students in grappling with challenging psychological concepts.
Beyond my teaching, I continue to develop and deliver solution-focused interventions, training, and service development through my work for a third-sector organisation, and I’m also involved in NHS projects focused on developing wellbeing programmes for staff. My consultancy work has included projects for the pharmaceutical sector and for a large-scale wellbeing intervention in the Midlands. This varied background allows me to draw clear connections between academic theories and the real practice of psychology, making complex ideas tangible for students preparing for careers in health, social care, and community roles.
I’m active in the psychology research sector and participate in the British Psychological Society’s section for mathematics, statistics, and computing. My work on academic motivation and student functioning has been published internationally, and I’m a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
I believe that every student can make a difference in our industry, and I find it rewarding when my students discover abilities they didn’t know they had. Students value my approachable style and the way I tie theory directly to professional scenarios they might face. At UCB, there’s a strong industry focus which makes the learning experience truly relevant. I encourage my students to make the most of their opportunities here and to commit fully to their personal and professional development.
Finally, here are some things not many people know about me: I was previously a sabre fencer, a scout leader, and I’ve even performed stand-up comedy!