About us
The School of Psychology is a large community of academics and professional clinicians undertaking innovative research and delivering high-quality teaching and training.
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The research we do, the interventions we develop, and the teaching and training we deliver is intended to provide maximum benefit to individuals and societies. We are concerned with psychological issues across the life-course and across generations, in the face of local and global challenges to wellbeing and psychological health.
Our students play a key role in society and take pride in their contribution when they are here at Surrey, through their work on placements and professional training year, and make important contributions once they leave the University. Our Alumni are highly in demand and have a valuable and widespread influence in Surrey and across the world. Our research is highly regarded for its rigour, excellence and for its applied focus.
Our core aims
Our research and teaching are focused on:
- Releasing the life-long potential of the human brain
- Addressing inequalities in life-course health and wellbeing
- Embracing changing societies, environments and communities
- Intervening to create fulfilled, healthy and creative lives
- Creating innovative assessment, analysis and intervention
- Informing and influencing policy and practice
- Educating the professionals of the future
Our approach
A key aspect to our approach to research and teaching is working with non-academic partners and the advantages of this are particularly evident in the opportunities that students have to explore life as a professional psychologist by participating in the Professional Training year.
Our Structure
The school is sub-divided into two departments. In each department there are five sections that reflect areas of common teaching or research interests.
Each of these has a Section Head who line-manages staff in these sections:
The Department of Psychological Sciences
Head of Department: Paul Sowden
| Brain and Cognition | Development and Education | Food and Consumer Behaviour | Health and Behaviour Change |
Social and Environmental |
| Bertram Opitz | Harriet Tenenbaum | Monique Raats | Chris Fife-Schaw | Birgitta Gatersleben |
The Department of Psychological Interventions
Head of Department: Mary John
| Clinical Academic | Clinical Teaching |
Clinical Skills |
Psychotherapy and Counselling |
Talking Therapies |
| Oliver Mason | Kate Gleeson | Nan Holmes | Elena Manafi | Mary John |
Equality and diversity
The School is committed to promoting equality and diversity and ensuring there is an inclusive culture in the School free from discrimination.
Our approach is to ensure values of collegiality, respect and professionalism and to uphold dignity and courtesy:
- We are committed to ensuring access to opportunities for students and staff that do not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, national identity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socio-economic background.
- We lead the way in research in inequalities and stigma and are proud of the contributions we make to this area.
- The school is committed to best practice to ensure awareness of policies and procedures and to promote equality and diversity.
- We actively monitor and intervene to address unfair practice or discrimination affecting any member of the school, and to eliminate bias from all school procedures.
- We are committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and a positive working environment.
- We are currently preparing a submission for our Athena Swan bronze award with complete backing of the senior management team, and have an active Athena Swan action group led by Harriet Tenenbaum.