Sarah Higgins

Lecturer

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I’m a Lecturer in Psychology, with a background as a Psychology Technical Skills Specialist before joining the Psychology academic team at the start of 2020. I completed my BSc (Hons) Psychology and MSc Health Psychology studies at Staffordshire University. I am currently studying towards a PhD in the area of Health Psychology.

Professional memberships and activities

  • Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Member of the Midlands Health Psychology Network (MHPN)
  • Member of Health Literacy UK
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Aurora alumna
  • Chair of the Association of Technical Staff in Psychology (ATSiP) 2017-2020

Academic qualifications

  • PhD (current), Staffordshire University
  • MSc in Health Psychology, Distinction, Staffordshire University
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology, First Class, Staffordshire University

Expertise

  • Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Psychology interventions
  • Psychology research methods
  • Health literacy
  • Eye-tracking technology
  • Psychology experimental and observational hardware and software

Teaching

I teach across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules including:

 

Undergraduate

  • Becoming a Researcher 1 (Quantitative)
  • Adventures in Psychology 2 (Biological, Cognitive and Individual Differences)
  • Steps to Success
  • Further Research Methods in Psychology
  • Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
  • Cyberpsychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Psychology Projects
  • Psychology Dissertations

 

Postgraduate

  • Applications of Health Psychology / Applied Health Psychology Placement
  • Contexts and Perspectives in Health Psychology
  • Psychology Research Methods
  • Professional Development in Health Psychology
  • Psychological Research Design and Planning
  • Dissertation: Conducting and Disseminating Psychological Research
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • MSc Dissertations

Publications

Humphreys, L., Higgins, S., & Roberts, E. V. (2022). Task demands moderate the effect of emotion on attentional capture. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218221075146

Wood, A. G., Turner, M. J., Barker, J. B., & Higgins, S. J. (2017). Investigating the effects of irrational and rationale self-statements on motor-skill and hazard perception performance. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 6(4), 384–400. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000095 

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021