Lizann Bonnar

I joined Psychology at Strathclyde in September 2004, following a MA (Hons) and PhD in Psychology at the University of Glasgow. My PhD was in cognitive psychology, specifically visual attention.  Although my research background is in quantitative research methods, I have recently enjoyed learning about and using qualitative methods with students, in one project to develop an understanding of children's experiences of doing Parkrun, and another on the psychological impact of food poverty. Current research projects with students are in the area of student mental health.

In addition to my role in the School of Psychological Sciences and Health, I am Vice Dean Academic in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. I am interested in education for sustainable development, social justice and transforming teaching, learning and assessment so that students and graduates develop the personal attributes, knowledge, understanding and skills needed to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.

At undergraduate level, I am class leader for the final year C8437 Psychology Work Placement class, and supervise several honours and MSc dissertation projects each year. Prior to taking up the role as Vice Dean Academic (.5), I was class leader for C8321 Research Methods and Data Analysis, and also taught on Introduction to Research Design and Analysis (C8203), and research methods classes on three MSc programmes: MSc in Research Methods in Psychology, MSc Clinical Health Psychology, and the online MSc Psychology with a specialistion in *Business (conversion). 

I recently led on the development of a university-wide module called 'Multi-disciplinary Perspectives of Sustainable Development', and worked with colleagues across the University to deliver this for the first time in January 2020. The module has been developed in line with UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development Learning Objectives and is delivered (co-led with Professor Debra Willison) by staff from all four faculties and attended by students from different degree levels and disciplines across the University. Predominantly delivered online, the module uses action-oriented and transformative pedagogies to support students to develop the competencies identified by UNESCO as essential for addressing the sustainable development goals. 

I have a passion for enhancing students' understanding of sustainable development and social justice, both within my discipline in psychology and outwith it.