Research at the School of Psychology

Gambling harm is increasingly recognised as a public health issue. Harmful gambling is associated with adverse consequences such as financial difficulties, physical and mental ill-health, and has significant social costs. In the School, our impactful research on harmful gambling includes studies with vulnerable populations (e.g., members of the Armed Forces community), research and evaluation of advertising and product design, experimental analysis of gambling behaviour, neuroscience research, and innovative treatment development. Two centres, the Gambling Research, Education and Treatment (GREAT) network and the Centre for Military Gambling Research (MilGam), facilitate this work in partnership with multiple, international stakeholders and academic beneficiaries.

Our research uses psychological insights to address the challenges and drivers of the climate and ecological crises. We explore how climate change impacts health and quality of life, and how behaviour can be steered to both sustainable and rewarding lifestyles, focusing on areas like sustainable travel, diets, nature-based solutions, and climate change communication. The Sustainable Wellbeing Research Group specifically examines how sustainable lifestyles enhance individual, community, and planetary wellbeing and resilience; challenging the notion that environmental protection requires personal sacrifice. Our research shapes environmental policy and the design of innovative interventions across household, education, and healthcare contexts.

The modern diet poses significant challenges, with rising concerns over how eating behaviours and nutritional choices impact individual, public and planetary health. Our Swansea Nutrition, Appetite, and Cognition research group (SNAC) explores the effects of diet on health, mood, cognition, and brain function, and examines how biological and psychological factors influence eating behaviours and weight management. Our research also extends to understanding consumer behaviours, aiding in the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. 

The methods we use to enhance effective learning and prepare individuals for fulfilling careers need to be carefully considered and evidence-based. We research methods of teaching, assessment and feedback, inclusive and accessible education, as well as learner informed strategies to support educational transitions, retention, self-regulated learning, and student engagement. We lead the Student Wellbeing and Outcomes Research Network (SWORN) and participate in international pedagogical research networks, providing research evidence to inform best practices in teaching worldwide.

Our research uses experimental and applied methods to address theoretical and real-world questions surrounding harmful behaviours and legal/criminal justice processes. We explore online grooming (STRONG group); sexual harassment; misogyny-based extremism; assessment, formulation and treatment; service impact; eyewitness identification and interviewing; cyberbullying/cyberharms and cyberprotection; traumatic brain injury; violence and sexual risk assessment; 'dark personalities', and child protection.  With strong affiliations to UK and International Universities, alongside partnerships with stakeholders including HMPPS, Offender Personality Disorder Pathway, NHS, Local Authority and Social Care services, Police, third sector and charitable organisations, our work significantly influences the direction of policy and practice in these domains.

The wellbeing and mental health group conduct research that improves the lives of people, impacts policy, and transforms practice.  We examine risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatments for mental ill health and promoting wellbeing, focusing on areas such as perinatal mental health, stress and relationships, minority stress, sleep and dreaming research, organisational interventions, student mental health, and brain injury.  Mental health has traditionally been seen as merely the absence of mental illness, but our researchers focus on how to achieve and maintain mental health, prevent mental ill health, and improve overall wellbeing across society. Our clinical and academic researchers bridge the gap between laboratory and clinical settings, and between research, policy and practice. We use research evidence to improve and design clinical practice and develop innovative wellbeing interventions that integrate individual, societal and environmental factors.  We have links with universities worldwide and engage with a wide-range of stakeholders including the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, the NHS, charities and community-based organisations.