My experience of Counselling training in Further Education inspired me to pursue the study of Psychology at degree level. I achieved a First Class Honours degree in Applied Psychology (Heriot-Watt, 2001) during which time I earned awards of Outstanding Merit (Heriot-Watt University, 2000), Distinction (British Psychological Society, 2000) and the Watt Club Medal (2001; Heriot-Watt University's Premier Award for the Highest Academic Distinction).

My background in Applied Psychology and interest in real world applications led me to undertake a multidisciplinary EPSRC-funded PhD (Strathclyde University, 2001-2005) researching cognitive and psychosocial factors that in older age are linked to perceptuo-motor functioning on everyday-based manual activities.

Following my doctoral research, I returned to Heriot-Watt as Lecturer in Applied Psychology (2005) where I qualified to teach independently in Higher Education (2007) and achieved professional recognition as Chartered Psychologist (2008) and Chartered Scientist (2010).

Upon the expansion of Heriot-Watt's Psychology programmes, and the international expansion of Heriot-Watt campuses and programmes to Dubai and Malaysia, my role developed into Assistant Professor in Psychology (2014) followed by senior promotion to Associate Professor (2019).

Teaching Responsibility

I am Global Course Leader for Stage 1 C97RM Research Methods and Analysis 1, Edinburgh Course Leader for Stage 3 C99CL Cognition across the Lifespan, and Global Course Leader for Stage 4 C90CP Counselling Psychology.

I have been nominated for a range of student awards (Heriot-Watt University's 'Learning and Teaching Oscars') including ‘Lecturer of the Year’, ‘Guiding Hand’ and ‘Thinkers’ awards. More recently, I was shortlisted for the coveted ‘Student Voice Award' (2021; for supporting students and their learning online during the covid-19 pandemic) and 'Most Supportive Member of Staff Award' (2023; for going above and beyond to support the progress of students during the transition back to in-person teaching and assessment). In 2024 I was nominated again for the 'Most Supportive Member of Staff Award'.

I have been nominated for a range of staff awards: I won a 'Global Values Award' (2021) for demonstrating excellence in promoting the HW value of 'Belonging' while learning was remote during the covid-19 pandemic. In the first HW School of Social Sciences Executive Dean's Awards (2023) I received the 'Highly Commended Teacher' award for consistently demonstrating excellence in supporting students and their learning. In 2024 I was nominated for Heriot-Watt's 'Celebrating our Values in Action Awards' for 'Inspiring' colleagues with my work supporting students to develop our psychology community.

Administrative Responsibility

I have led a number of previous administrative roles for the Psychology Department, including Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, Student Disability Coordinator, Honours Year Coordinator, and Global Research Methods Working Group Lead. I am currently Year 2 Coordinator (Edinburgh) for continuing and direct entry students.

I have supported other Schools and subject disciplines across the University as a Student Appeals Assessor (for second stage appeals) and contributed to wider University administration as a long-standing member of and reviewer for the University's former Undergraduate Studies Committee (now University Studies Committee).

Professional Recognition and Membership

2011: Associate Fellow (AFBPsS) of the British Psychological Society. This title is awarded to recognise experienced contributors to the professional field of Psychology.

2010: Charted Scientist (CSci). The British Psychological Society is licensed by the UK Science Council to award this title in recognition of high standards of competence in the independent practice of professional scientific research.

2008: Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol). This is a legally recognised title awarded by the British Psychological Society in recognition of the highest standards of psychological knowledge and expertise.

2008: Member of the British Psychological Society's DARTP (Division of Academics, Researchers, and Teachers in Psychology). 

2007: Fellow (FHEA) Higher Education Academy. This title is awarded in recognition of leadership and impact in teaching and learning within Higher Education. 

2007: Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Heriot-Watt University). This qualification recognises competence in independently leading teaching and research within Higher Education.

My earlier studies in Counselling and Applied Psychology helped me to appreciate the value of applying psychological knowledge to tackling real world issues, and the value of multidisciplinary and mixed method approaches to research and application in the real world.

This led me to undertake a multidisciplinary PhD which focussed on how cognitive (e.g., cognitive load) and psychosocial factors (e.g., capability beliefs) in older age can interact with perceptuo-motor performance on everyday-based manual tasks. 

My PhD research led to further studies investigating psychological factors which may influence manual perceptuo-motor control in older age, from perceptual factors (e.g., the use of visual cues about an object’s appearance) to psychosocial factors (e.g., the effects of implicit exposure to age stereotypes on perceptuo-motor control).

My interests have also branched out to other areas of ageing pertinent to today’s increasingly ageing society, including the challenges and opportunities that affect older people’s choices and behaviour in the workplace.

My experience with younger and older research participants and students has also inspired an interest in promoting inclusivity, mental health and well-being across the lifespan, including the ways in which we can better manage anxiety, stress and well-being during key stages and events in our lives.

I provide peer review for original psychology research and multidisciplinary research for numerous high quality international science journals, including but not limited to: Experimental Brain Research; Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition; Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology; Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise; Motor Control; Human Development; Acta Psychologica; Journals of Gerontology; Age and Ageing; Psychology of Ageing. 

Honours Research Supervision:

I have supervised to successful completion more than 100 undergraduate honours-level research projects. I supervise honours research across a range of topics, specialising in issues of ageing that impact everyday life, e.g., from the effects of age-stereotypes on cognitive ability and perceptuo-motor control, to the challenges facing today’s older people in the workplace.

Masters Research Supervision: 

I have supervised to successful completion more than 30 masters-level research projects for postgraduates on the Masters in Business Psychology programmes (including Business Psychology with Human Resource Management, and with Inter-Cultural Communication). I supervise masters research projects across topics related to age and/or culture, gender roles, personality, leadership, well-being, engagement, and performance in the workplace.

PhD Research Supervision:

I supervise PhD research across a range of topics, specialising in issues of ageing that impact everyday life, e.g., from the effects of age-stereotypes on cognitive ability and perceptuo-motor control, to the challenges facing today’s older people in the workplace. I have supervised 4 doctoral students to successful completion and am currently second supervisor for a 2 doctoral students on topics related to healthy ageing.

Panagiotis Dimitriou (completed 2018). “Resistance of fingertip force co-ordination to interference from common tasks”. Primary Supervisor: Dr Gavin Buckingham. Second Supervisor: Dr Lauren Potter. Funded by internal James Watt PhD Scholarship.

Lorraine Douglas (completed 2018). “Stress, Coping and Self-Efficacy: Designing an intervention to support informal caregivers of people with dementia”. Primary Supervisor: Dr Lauren Potter. Second Supervisor: Professor Alan Gow. Funded by internal James Watt PhD Scholarship (Co-applicant: Dr Lauren Potter).

Darren Reid (completed 2019). “The effects of age-stereotyped stimuli on older people’s grip strength”. Primary Supervisor: Dr Lauren Potter. Second Supervisor: Dr Mioara Cristea. Funded by internal James Watt PhD Scholarship (Principal Applicant: Dr Lauren Potter).

Kate Sullivan (completed 2024). “'Passion to Profession: A longitudinal study of hobby-based entrepreneurship in the COVID-19 pandemic".
Primary Supervisor: Professor Laura Galloway (HW Edinburgh Business School). Second Supervisors: Dr Sue Cowan and Dr Lauren Potter. Collaboration between HWs Edinburgh Business School and the Department of Psychology, funded by internal James Watt PhD Scholarship.

Malwina Niechcial (2021 - 2025). "Activity engagement as interventions to improve the cognitive ability, physical health, and psychological well-being of community dwelling older people". Primary Supervisor: Professor Alan Gow. Second Supervisors: Professor Adele Dickson and Dr Lauren Potter. Funded by the University's first internal Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)/PhD Scholarship programme.

Shaimaa Elhag (2021 - 2025). "The Intervention Factory: Advancing community-based activities as interventions for healthy ageing". Primary Supervisor: Professor Alan Gow. Second Supervisor: Dr Lauren Potter. Funded by external PhD studentship from Velux Stiftung (£72,190.07). Principal Applicant: Professor Alan Gow. Co-applicant(s): Dr Lauren Potter and Malwina Niechcial.