Dr Karina Hanson is a chartered psychologist and lecturer for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Arden as well as being a dissertation supervisor here. She is currently leading the Level 4 Introduction to Studying Psychology module as well as teaching on other modules across the London study centres.
Becky has completed several research roles including her most recent role as Senior Researcher at the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans at the University of Chester, exploring health inequalities for those who had served in the British Armed Forces, where she received a Research Excellence Award for her work improving veterans access and recording in Primary Healthcare. She has also conducted research in the areas of Domestic Homicide, Suicide and Mental Health with extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and research ethics.
Frances Simpson is a lecturer in the school of Psychology and leads the Introduction to Counselling Psychology module and the level 6 module Health and Psychological Wellbeing. She also leads the PGCert module ‘Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System’. As a practising Psychotherapist with ADHD, her research interests encompass the areas of social and developmental psychology, with a particular focus on the phenomenological experiences of mental and physical health problems and neurodiversity.
Dr Penny Hyams has recently joined the expanding team in the School of Psychology at Arden University as a lecturer. She is currently leading a Level 6 module in Mental Health and Illness, and is contributing to other areas of our Psychology programme, including Social and Developmental Psychology and Qualitative Research Methods.
Matthew is a lecturer in psychology for Arden University, specialising in areas around technology and its interactions with the human condition. Specifically, he is currently undertaking his PhD investigating the potential mental health benefits of video games. He is a fellow of the higher education academy and teaches on the undergraduate programmes for the BSc in Psychology and has taught on the postgraduate course as well. He currently supervises both undergraduate and masters level dissertation research projects, with a focus on technology and human computer interaction.
Christina Murphy is a lecturer and an Academic Integrity Officer for the School of Psychology. She is module leader on both Level 4 and Level 6 modules, including students' first module (Introduction to Studying Psychology) on the distance learning programme. This means she is passionate about settling students into their studies and supporting them to develop the skills they will need for success. Christina's research interests centre around gender and sexuality, media representation, and fandoms/fan practices.
Tom Hatton is a senior lecturer in psychology with a background teaching in ‘Sport & Exercise Psychology’ which he leads on the Level 5 elective modules in the BSc Psychology course. Tom is also a co-module leader of the level 4 research methods module at the start of the undergraduate courses as well. Tom’s research background has included research in mental health peer support with police officers and interest in positive psychology applied to mental health & sport and the use of sport & exercise psychology principles in Esports.
Dr Bethany Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer at Arden University. She completed her PhD at Lancaster University in 2020 - her thesis was entitled "Symbolic Understanding, Language Learning and Engagement in Autism Spectrum Condition - The Role of Interactivity." Bethany's research interests lie within developmental psychology and neurodiversity, and following her PhD she worked as an Autism Information Analyst at the National Autistic Society prior to joining Arden in 2022
"Kieron is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and he been lecturing at Arden since 2020. Prior to that, he completed a Psychology BSc and Health Psychology MSc at Coventry University as well as a PGCert in Research Practice with Birmingham City University. Currently, Kieron is completing a PhD at Birmingham City University exploring toxic behaviour within esports (competitive videogames) using qualitative research methods. Alongside his PhD, Kieron is also involved in research relating to eating disorders, specifically a phenomenon known as the 'Eating Disorder Voice'.
Nicola Bentham is senior lecturer within the school of psychology, focusing on the progression of our level 4 psychology students. Nicola, who started working at Arden in 2020 as an associate and then as a lecturer, leads the level 5 occupational psychology module for both blended and distance learning students.