Queen's University Belfast

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Psychology

• Psychology: School of Psychology | PhD
• Overview
• Course content
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Overview

The School of Psychology has a thriving, well-resourced and engaged PhD community that is central to its research environment. Students are strategically appointed to research projects with the express purpose of enhancing research capacity and development in prioritised areas for which the School aims to enhance world-leading research. MODE OF STUDY / DURATION Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Subject Summary

You’ll enjoy the high level of spontaneous peer-support, initiative, and engagement that exists among our diverse community of psychological doctoral researchers.Your research may cover topics such as Development, Social, Cognitive, Health and Biological Psychology. You may wish to continue within academia to take up postdoctoral research positions, fellowships or lectureships in psychology, move into clinical or educational psychology training, or take up a research position in the private or public sectors.

Research Information

Associated Research The School of Psychology has a postgraduate research community of around 50 PhD students who are very well resourced and supported in their research. The School has made extensive material investments in infrastructure, including two computer labs and access to several suites of dedicated research labs, to support their research. Students are a central part of the research environment of the School and participate in School-level seminars and research meetings. Students are expected and encouraged to publish during their PhD research and are supported in doing so through their research training. Subject-specific postgraduate modules in research design and methods are delivered as part of the PhD training portfolio to complement the generic University training and further topic-specific research training is also available. Other opportunities exist to attract funding from non-governmental sources. Current and previous PhD sponsors include professional services firms, international Governments, charities, and technology companies. We also welcome self-funding students on a full-time or part-time basis. The School of Psychology at Queen's ranked in the top 10 psychology departments in the UK for research intensity in REF 2014 and provides an excellent environment in which to carry out PhD research. One distinctive aspect of the PhD experience in the School of Psychology is the high level of spontaneous peer-support, initiative, and engagement among this community of Doctoral researchers. This is valued and fostered by the School through its support of the postgraduate conference and postgraduate week activities as well as wide-ranging involvement of research students across many aspects of School life. Our PhD community also organizes numerous social events each year that are very popular amongst both staff and students. There is a range of sources of funding available for PhD students. Every year the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DEL) funds a number of PhD students to undertake research on pre-specified topics within the School of Psychology. These topics and the names of the associated supervisors are typically advertised online in December with a closing date in February. Last year's topics spanned research topics across Development, Social, Cognitive and Biological Psychology. Selected applicants are invited to interview and the successful candidate is offered a fully funded place with fees paid and an annual maintenance stipend for the three years of the PhD. Eligibility criteria can be found at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/delterms Students who wish to self-fund or explore external funding sources are advised to peruse our staff webpages (http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/psy/Staff/) and to contact potential supervisors to discuss potential topics. Most students continue within academia to take up postdoctoral research positions, fellowships or lectureships in psychology. Some continue into clinical or educational psychology training while others take up research positions in the private and public sectors.

Career Prospects

Introduction For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

Professor Teresa McCormack Director of Postgraduate Research School of Psychology

Learning and Teaching

Project name | School | Funding | Subject | Status | Sort | Timestamp

Are children’s intuitions about ownership impacted by concerns for human flourishing? School of Psychology | PHD Ownership; development; children; human flourishing; ownership obligations Professor Aidan Feeney Supervisor Professor Aidan Feeney Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Lost in Thought: Exploring Children's Awareness of Mind Wandering School of Psychology | PHD attention, mind wandering, metacognition, cognitive development, academic achievement Dr Agnieszka Graham Supervisor Dr Agnieszka Graham Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Words for Feelings: Exploring the Development of Emotional Granularity in Children and Adolescents School of Psychology | PHD emotional granularity, child and adolescent development, child and adolescent mental health Dr Agnieszka Graham Supervisor Dr Agnieszka Graham Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Children's Understanding of Emotion Words School of Psychology | PHD Emotional development, emotion vocabulary, emotional granularity Dr Agnieszka Graham Supervisor Dr Agnieszka Graham Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Neural Signatures of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease School of Psychology | PHD Parkinson’s Disease; Balance; Gait; Freezing of gait; Electroencephalography; Dr Andrew Monaghan Supervisor Dr Andrew Monaghan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Cognitive and Motor Set-Shifting in Aging School of Psychology | PHD Aging; Balance Control; Falls Risk; Cognitive-Motor Set-Shifting; Attentional Switching; Alpha React Dr Andrew Monaghan Supervisor Dr Andrew Monaghan Funding Funded potentially DfE/School funded Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Coaching Identity and Mental Health Guidelines in Community Sport: A Social Identity Approach School of Psychology | PHD Mental health; Sport psychology; Coaching identity; Social identity; Community sport; GAA Dr Andrew Monaghan Supervisor Dr Andrew Monaghan Funding Funded Movember and QUB School of Psychology Application deadline 14 August 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1786665600

Collective victimhood, imagined futures, and the constitutional status of Northern Ireland School of Psychology | PHD Psychology ; Social psychology; Political psychology; qualitative Dr Andrew McNeill Supervisor Dr Andrew McNeill Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Inclusivity in Higher Education: Exploring Contexts, Barriers, and Facilitators of Positive Student Experiences School of Psychology | PHD Pedagogy; Student Experience; Curriculum Design; Diversity; Inclusivity; Neurodiversity; Accessible Dr Aideen McParland Supervisor Dr Aideen McParland Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Beyond Labels: Mapping Early Dimensions of Neurodivergence in Infancy School of Psychology | PHD Dr Anna Truzzi Supervisor Dr Anna Truzzi Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Developing and Validating a Mobile Health Tool for Predicting Postpartum Depression Symptoms School of Psychology | PHD Post partum depression, PPD, app, technology Dr Anna Truzzi Supervisor Dr Anna Truzzi Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Two halves make a whole: Exploring the role of the families in caring for police officers with occupational related psychological distress. School of Psychology | PHD health, well-being, trauma Professor Cherie Armour Supervisor Professor Cherie Armour Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Identifying psychological mechanisms which promote resilience post-trauma. School of Psychology | PHD trauma, PTSD, mental health, resilience Professor Cherie Armour Supervisor Professor Cherie Armour Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

A mixed-methods investigation of the mechanisms linking domestic violence and abuse (DVA) to obesity School of Psychology | PHD Eating Disorder; Obesity; Trauma; Domestic Violence; Childhood Abuse; PTSD; Shame; Body Image Professor Cherie Armour Supervisor Professor Cherie Armour Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

It all adds up – Supporting children’s arithmetic from the start School of Psychology | PHD Mathematical equivalence; early arithmetic; equals sign understanding; early intervention; numerical Dr Chang Xu Supervisor Dr Chang Xu Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Identifying as “Other”: Disidentification with Traditional Identities in a Divided Society School of Psychology | PHD Identity and Intergroup Relations, Social Identity Approach, Identification, Disidentification, Post Dr Danielle Blaylock Supervisor Dr Danielle Blaylock Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Transgenerational Contact: Exploring how a Child’s Positive Intergroup Relationships Improves Parental Intergroup Attitudes and Behaviours School of Psychology | PHD Identity and Intergroup Relations, Intergroup Contact, Extended Contact, Dyadic Relationships, Post- Dr Danielle Blaylock Supervisor Dr Danielle Blaylock Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Integrated education in post-Agreement Northern Ireland School of Psychology | PHD Integration, education, children, intergroup contact, social attitudes Dr Danielle Blaylock Supervisor Dr Danielle Blaylock Funding Funded DfE (CAST) Application deadline 12 February 2024 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1707696000

The Double-Edged Sword of Identity: Investigating Whether Single-Identity Work in Northern Ireland Reinforces Boundaries or Builds Bridges to Contact School of Psychology | PHD Social identity, divided societies, intergroup contact, Northern Ireland, social cohesion Dr Danielle Blaylock Supervisor Dr Danielle Blaylock Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

The mediating role of trauma appraisals following potentially traumatic life events School of Psychology | PHD Trauma Appraisal, Trauma, Resilience, Posttraumatic Growth Professor Donncha Hanna Supervisor Professor Donncha Hanna Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Developing Trauma Informed Care principles for Health Professionals School of Psychology | PHD Trauma, Trauma Informed Care, Health Care Professionals Professor Donncha Hanna Supervisor Professor Donncha Hanna Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Mental Health Priorities of People Living with Parkinson’s: a PD-LIFE project. School of Psychology | PHD Parkinson’s, mental health, health, stigma, exercise and dance. Professor Donncha Hanna Supervisor Professor Donncha Hanna Funding Funded Higher Education Authority of Ireland, PD Life pro Application deadline 29 May 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1780012800

Individual Differences in Depersonalisation-Derealisation (DPDR) School of Psychology | PHD Derealisation, depersonalisation, personality, mental health, ecological momentary assessment, quant Dr Emanuele Fino Supervisor Dr Emanuele Fino Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Combining and optimising Brain Computer Interfaces and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to aid motor rehabilitation. School of Psychology | PHD ‘BCI’; ‘Brain Computer Interface’; ‘Motor Rehabilitation’; ‘Brain Stimulation’; ‘Stroke’; ‘Dystonia’ Dr Emmet McNickle Supervisor Dr Emmet McNickle Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Mapping Grief and Designing Solutions: Understanding Student Bereavement and Developing Digital Support Innovations School of Psychology | PHD Grief, bereavement, mental health, inequalities, youth transitions, and digital innovation Dr Emma Nolan Supervisor Dr Emma Nolan Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

A Gold-Standard Personality Disorder Outcome Measure for Regional Implementation School of Psychology | PHD Personality Disorders; Assessment; Measurement; Psychometrics; Co-Production. Dr Emanuele Fino Supervisor Dr Emanuele Fino Funding Funded CAST DfE Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Bridging Divides: How Parental, Peer and Social Media Socialisation Shape Youth Attitudes, Racism, and Community Cohesion in Northern Ireland School of Psychology | PHD Northern Ireland; Post-Conflict Society; Community Relations; Ethnic-Racial Diversity; Parental Soci Dr Gülseli Baysu Supervisor Dr Gülseli Baysu Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

An Autonomy Supported Daily Mile to Improve Children’s Cognitive Function and Wellbeing School of Psychology | PHD Wellbeing, exercise, quality of life, stigma. Dr Gavin Breslin Supervisor Dr Gavin Breslin Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

The Development of Psychologically Informed Mental Health Guidelines for Community Sport School of Psychology | PHD Mental Health, wellbeing, exercise, quality of life, stigma. Dr Gavin Breslin Supervisor Dr Gavin Breslin Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Human Behaviour Change for sustainable dairy farming School of Psychology | PHD Psychology, human behaviour, dairy farms, agriculture, animal science, environmental science, sustai Dr Grace Carroll Supervisor Dr Grace Carroll Funding Funded BBSRC (FoodBioSystems DTP) Application deadline 26 January 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1769385600

Cultural- and gender-related experiences of Parkinson’s across Ireland: a PD-LIFE project. School of Psychology | PHD Parkinson’s, culture, gender, motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, health. Professor Ioana Latu Supervisor Professor Ioana Latu Funding Funded Higher Education Authority of Ireland, PD Life pro Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Understanding the Roots of Polarization: How Children Form and Revise Beliefs School of Psychology | PHD Children, polarization, culture, beliefs Dr Jocelyn Dautel Supervisor Dr Jocelyn Dautel Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

How human perceptual and motor abilities shape human-robot interactions School of Psychology | PHD Human-robot interactions, Movement science, Perception, Virtual Reality Dr Joost Dessing Supervisor Dr Joost Dessing Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Beyond School Gates: Children’s Contributions to Community Integration School of Psychology | PHD Children, integration, diversity, friendships, social cognition Dr Jocelyn Dautel Supervisor Dr Jocelyn Dautel Funding Unfunded Application deadline 12 February 2024 | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1707696000

Sensory integration and motor control underlying manual interception School of Psychology | PHD Interception, reference frames, prediction, target motion, sensorimotor control. Dr Joost Dessing Supervisor Dr Joost Dessing Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Reading the kicker: how goalkeeper’s rely on opponent movements to improve performance for penalties and free kicks School of Psychology | PHD Football, Goalkeeping, Perception, Visuomotor control, Biological Motion Dr Joost Dessing Supervisor Dr Joost Dessing Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Communicating Truth: Consumption and transmission of polarised information amongst young people in a divided society School of Psychology | PHD adolescents, beliefs, polarisation, epistemic vigilance, identity, social cognition Dr Jocelyn Dautel Supervisor Dr Jocelyn Dautel Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Developing Belief Network: Cross-cultural research on the development and diversity of religious cognition, beliefs and identities School of Psychology | PHD Children, beliefs, religion, identity, social cognition Dr Jocelyn Dautel Supervisor Dr Jocelyn Dautel Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Understanding Child to Parent Violence: A Family Wide Perspective. School of Psychology | PHD Gender based violence, child to parent violence, domestic abuse, family violence. Dr Katrina McLaughlin Supervisor Dr Katrina McLaughlin Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Leader Personality, Behavioural Inconsistency and Employee Presenteeism School of Psychology | PHD Personality, Leadership, Mental Health, Work Performance. Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Supervisor Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Examining Individual Differences in Brain Activity, Personality and Cognitive Performance under Stress. School of Psychology | PHD Antagonistic personality traits, stress management, cognitive performance, brain activity, fNIRS Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Supervisor Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Mobilising Death Literacy in Rural and Remote Communities on the Island of Ireland: The Role of Compassionate Communities School of Psychology | PHD Health psychology; death literacy; compassionate communities; palliative care; end-of-life care Dr Lisa Graham-Wisener Supervisor Dr Lisa Graham-Wisener Funding Funded DfE CAST Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Dance Interventions for Parkinson’s Disease: Co-Design, Feasibility and Wellbeing Outcomes School of Psychology | PHD Parkinson’s, dance, exercise, art, health, wellbeing, motor control. Dr Mihalis Doumas Supervisor Dr Mihalis Doumas Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department of the Economy Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

One PhD project in political psychology addressing one of the following topics: • Truth and justice in post-conflict societies • Resistance and resilience in repressive or violent contexts. School of Psychology | PHD Conflict and violence, peace, reconciliation, transitional justice, resistance, repression Dr Mengyao Li Supervisor Dr Mengyao Li Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Automated Analysis of Challenging Clinical Interactions: An AI Approach to Routinely Collected Healthcare Data School of Psychology | PHD Social Interaction, Communication, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Machine Learning Dr Mary Lavelle Supervisor Dr Mary Lavelle Funding Funded Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Understanding and Addressing Justice Needs in Post-conflict Northern Ireland School of Psychology | PHD Conflict and violence, transitional justice, peace, reconciliation Dr Mengyao Li Supervisor Dr Mengyao Li Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Psychological Outcomes Following Early Pregnancy Loss School of Psychology | PHD Trauma, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Miscarriage Dr Martin Robinson Supervisor Dr Martin Robinson Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Embracing Individuality in Complex Skill Learning: Variability, Adaptability, and Embodiment School of Psychology | PHD Skill learning; individual differences; movement variability; training; rehabilitation Dr Matthew Rodger Supervisor Dr Matthew Rodger Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Social Psychological foundation of stress and trauma School of Psychology | PHD Social identity, Stress reactivity, collective processes Professor Orla Muldoon Supervisor Professor Orla Muldoon Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Staying Focused: How Mind Wandering Impacts Students' Ability to Delay Gratification and Achieve Academic Success School of Psychology | PHD academic delay of gratification, mind wandering, academic success Dr Paddy O'Connor Supervisor Dr Paddy O'Connor Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Do gender stereotypes impact females’ learning and performance in statistics? School of Psychology | PHD Statistics anxiety, statistics education, stereotype threat, gender, achievement Dr Paddy O'Connor Supervisor Dr Paddy O'Connor Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Exploring the mental health needs of patients living with Barrett’s Oesophagus School of Psychology | MPHIL Barrett’s Oesophagus; Psychological well-being; mixed methods research Professor Martin Dempster Supervisor Professor Martin Dempster Funding Funded Breakthrough Cancer Application deadline 4 October 2024 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1728000000

Stress, eustress and positive psychology School of Psychology | PHD Stress, eustress, coping, positive psychology, wellbeing learning motivation Dr Chris Gibbons Supervisor Dr Chris Gibbons Funding Unfunded Application deadline 30 June 2023 | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1688083200

One funded project in the area of Intergroup conflicts and collective trauma; Justice processes in post-conflict societies or Political resistance in non-democratic contexts. School of Psychology | PHD Conflict and violence, peace, reconciliation, transitional justice, resistance, repression Dr Mengyao Li Supervisor Dr Mengyao Li Funding Funded Department for the Economy (DfE) Application deadline 16 March 2023 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1678924800

Integration in the Layers of Mathematical Skills School of Psychology | PHD Mathematics; children; integration; interventions Dr Chang Xu Supervisor Dr Chang Xu Funding Funded Department for the Economy (DfE) Application deadline 16 March 2023 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1678924800

Navigating Childfreedom: Identity Disclosure, Communication Strategies and Adjustment in Childfree Individuals School of Psychology | PHD childfreedom, non-normative life choices, identity, communication, adjustment, multi-method Dr Tanja Gerlach Supervisor Dr Tanja Gerlach Funding Funded Department for the Economy (DfE) Application deadline 16 March 2023 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1678924800

Walking in real-world environments for people living with Parkinson’s: Enhancing gait using movement analysis School of Psychology | PHD Parkinson’s; gait; motion capture; rehabilitation; movement disorders Dr Matthew Rodger Supervisor Dr Matthew Rodger Funding Funded DfE CAST (Co-operative Awards in Science and Techn Application deadline 17 May 2024 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1715904000

The mediating role of trauma appraisals following potentially traumatic life events. School of Psychology | PHD Trauma Appraisal, Trauma, Resilience, Posttraumatic Growth Professor Donncha Hanna Supervisor Professor Donncha Hanna Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Developing Trauma Informed Care principles for Health Professionals School of Psychology | PHD Trauma, Trauma Informed Care, Health Care Professionals Professor Donncha Hanna Supervisor Professor Donncha Hanna Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Reducing ’flashbacks’ of paediatric trauma: Investigating the consolidation, reactivation, and reduction of intrusive traumatic memories in children School of Psychology | PHD Trauma, children, paediatric populations, memory, clinical psychology Dr David McCormack Supervisor Dr David McCormack Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Diabetes Counselling and Empowerment Training: Developing a Programme Theory and Exploring the Benefits for People Living with Diabetes School of Psychology | PHD Empowerment; Counselling; Diabetes; Healthcare professionals; wellbeing; emotional support Dr Emma Berry Supervisor Dr Emma Berry Funding Unfunded Application deadline 12 February 2024 | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1707696000

Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control: Understanding and Experiences in a Post-Bill Environment. School of Psychology | PHD Domestic abuse, coercive control, family violence, post conflict society. Dr Katrina McLaughlin Supervisor Dr Katrina McLaughlin Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Developing cost-effective and future-ready approaches to neurorehabilitation of stroke and functional neurological disorders School of Psychology | PHD Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Stroke, Functional Neurological Disorder, Conversion disorder, motor Dr Kathy Ruddy Supervisor Dr Kathy Ruddy Funding Funded DfE Application deadline 12 February 2024 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1707696000

Measuring effects of ageing on cortical activity during sensory integration and posture-cognitive multitasking using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). School of Psychology | PHD Ageing, balance, posture, fnirs, multitasking. Dr Mihalis Doumas Supervisor Dr Mihalis Doumas Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Multisensory integration in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Investigating general vs task specific sensory processing deficits. School of Psychology | PHD Autism, sensory integration, multisensory, speech, balance, auditory, visual, proprioceptive. Dr Mihalis Doumas Supervisor Dr Mihalis Doumas Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Double disclosure? Investigating how disabled students in higher education navigate the university to employment pipeline School of Psychology | PHD Psychology; Applied Social Psychology; Disability; Disabled People; Graduate employment; Students; H Dr Stephanie Burns Supervisor Dr Stephanie Burns Funding Funded Queen’s Collaborative Studentship (funded via Dep Application deadline 12 February 2024 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1707696000

Multisensory integration in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Investigating general vs task specific sensory processing deficits. School of Psychology | PHD Autism, sensory integration, multisensory, speech, balance, auditory, visual, proprioceptive. Dr Tim Fosker Supervisor Dr Tim Fosker Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Opting Out of Parenthood: Psychological Aspects of Childfreedom School of Psychology | PHD Childfreedom, childfree, voluntary, childless, non-normative life choices, identity, communication Dr Tanja Gerlach Supervisor Dr Tanja Gerlach Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

The social costs and benefits of heeding and rejecting advice School of Psychology | PHD Advice; Social Psychology; Judgment; Decision-Making; Open Science Dr Thomas Schultze-Gerlach Supervisor Dr Thomas Schultze-Gerlach Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Dark Personalities in Emergency Personnel School of Psychology | PHD Personality traits; dark tetrad; childhood adversity; trauma; compassion fatigue; well-being; mental Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Supervisor Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Genetics of Spatial Ability School of Psychology | PHD Genetics; Spatial Ability; Sex Differences; Cross-Cultural Differences Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Supervisor Dr Kostas Papageorgiou Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2

Competition or cooperation? Exploring the neurophysiology of interhemispheric communication when the brain is primed for action School of Psychology | PHD corpus callosum; cortex; brain stimulation; motor control; inter-hemispheric facilitation; inter-hem Professor Richard Carson Supervisor Professor Richard Carson Funding Unfunded Application deadline 27 February 2026 | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1772150400

Shall I read you a story? Investigating the mechanisms underlying reading improvement from reading to dog interventions in primary school classrooms School of Psychology | PHD Educational Psychology, Reading Interventions, Human-animal interaction Dr Tim Fosker Supervisor Dr Tim Fosker Funding Funded DfE Collaborative Studentship with ADNI Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

Delay of gratification in children School of Psychology | PHD Development; child; cognition Professor Teresa McCormack Supervisor Professor Teresa McCormack Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Mind wandering and mood in children School of Psychology | PHD Mood; mind wandering; development; children Professor Teresa McCormack Supervisor Professor Teresa McCormack Funding Unfunded Application deadline None specified | School of Psychology | Unfunded | Psychology | Open | 2

Adversity and Parenting: Exploring personality as a component of resilient functioning in families School of Psychology | PHD Adversity, Parenting, Personality, Adolescence Dr Tayler Truhan Supervisor Dr Tayler Truhan Funding Funded Department for the Economy (DfE) Application deadline 7 February 2025 | School of Psychology | Funded | Psychology | Closed | 2 | 1738886400

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Entrance requirements

Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required (taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £28,900

International | £28,900

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

Psychology costs

Depending on the area of research chosen there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas