I am Professor of Clinical Psychology on the Doctoral Training Programme in Clinical Psychology (ClinPsyD). I am especially interested in how as a profession we reckon with difference and representation and, to this end, am Programme lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

My most significant adminstrative role outside of the Programme is Associate Dean for Inclusive Education and Engagement. Here I have responsibility for embedding the principles of inclusive education across all aspects of the Faculty's taught portfolio and I work with colleagues and students to co-create solutions where every student has an equal opportunity to reach their potential.

Regarding orientation, I find the psychoanalytic approach (wherein, casting the net widely, I include attachment theory) the richest and most useful body of understanding and practice for addressing how we deal with adversity. In order to extend the reach of these ideas, I have co-edited two books and written several articles on how attachment theory can be applied to mental health. 

With these interests and responsibilities in mind, I am focusing my teaching and research increasingly on helping healthcare practitioners and university staff to understand and deal with the impact and challenges of the work we do, including the provocations of vulnerability, intercultural practice, and finding a way to remain thinking throughout.

I am bringing this together in collaborating with Group Analysis North to offer the Higher-Education Anti-Racism Training (HEART) programme. HEART will help University staff to have meaningful conversations about race and racism, in order to address these issues constructively in their own work. My other University role, Joint Academic Lead for the Faculty’s Pedagogic and Staff Development Programme enables me to share such practice and innovative, inclusive pedagogy more generally with colleagues.

Clinically I have my own private practice as a Clinical Psychologist and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, having worked in the NHS for over 10 years. After obtaining my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I went to live and work as a psychologist and lecturer in Ghana, West Africa. As well contributing to the Ghana Health Service and psychology curriculum at the University of Ghana, we launched Ghana's first journal dedicated to psychology and mental health, The Ghana International Journal of Mental Health. 

On returning to the UK, I trained in Inter-cultural Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and now support their trainees as a Visiting Lecturer.

I am a non-executive director on the board of Just Psychology in Manchester, which is a social enterprise that addresses the psychological and mental health needs of children, adults and families, with particular emphasis on cultural competence. I am also part of the first Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel, which has been set up by the Mayor of Greater Manchester and leaders of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to address the systemic inequalities, racism and discrimination which disadvantage the people of Greater Manchester because of their culture, ethnicity or race.