Applied Psychology Research Group (APRG)

overview

The APRG provides a focal point for research that builds on existing research strengths in addictions, cyberpsychology, education, and environments. We target relevant external funding calls and knowledge exchange opportunities to apply our specialisms to impact on broader opportunities and produce a body of quality and purposeful research that will drive a successful UoA4 submission in 2027. In 10 years we aim to have a reputation for delivering quality research in Applied Psychology that aligns with UN-SDGs. The group facilitates members’ research activity, supporting the development of productive internal and external collaborations and applications for external funding that will deliver consistent world-leading outputs and high impact research. We will also form multi-disciplinary teams focused on research into hard to reach communities, places and technologies with sustainable impact, underpinning the university’s strategic growth.

RESEARCH THEMES

Cyberpsychology & cognition:

Research into different aspects of cognition including learning and psycholinguistics, as well as cutting edge cyberpsychology research including educational games, online impression formation, and online abuse.

Addictions:

Investigating uses for cannabis based medicinal products (CBMPs) in the treatment of conditions, as well as the Investigation of ACT processes in Health Behaviour Modification.

Inclusive Education:

Focusing on children with intellectual disabilities in the context of education and covid recovery, and inclusion in education, including in the Global South. Also looking at prevention of violence against people with disabilities.

Environment:

Investigating educational environments and virtual reality in education, workspaces online and in a post covid-19 environment, and the student journey.

Key project summaries

Group members (Dr. Terras & Scott) are currently engaged in an interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Habitat Learn to develop and evaluate educational software to help individuals with learning differences, sensory loss, and language differences (cyberpsychology and Inclusive Education research themes).
One group member (Dr. Troup) is investigating barriers to the use of cannabis based medical products (CBMPs) in the treatment of a range of conditions. This work has the potential to have a direct impact on national policy and policing (Addictions research theme).
Group members (Dr Ballantyne) are engaged in a number of projects around inclusion in education. One of these focuses on police training on autistic women using VR Education (Inclusive Education research theme).