Dr Sarah Dean

Senior Lecturer

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

My expertise are in the areas of health and developmental psychology, as well as quantitative research methods. I graduated from Keele University with a BSc in Psychology and Criminology. I then completed my MSc in Health Psychology at Staffordshire University before returning to Keele where I obtained my PhD then worked as a Teaching Fellow. I joined Staffordshire University as a lecturer in September 2011 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2015. I completed my Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology in 2018.

Professional memberships and activities

Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Member of BPS Division of Health Psychology and Midlands Health Psychology Network

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

HCPC registered

Academic qualifications

Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, Staffordshire University, 2018”

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Keele University, 2011.

PhD Psychology “The effect of written emotional disclosure on the health and psychosocial functioning of early adolescents” Keele, 2010

MSc Health Psychology. Staffordshire University, 2005

BSc Psychology and Criminology. Keele University 2004

Research interests

My current research interests centre around breastfeeding. I am currently conducting research to look at factors that predict breastfeeding in new Mums in Stoke-on-Trent and am involved in two qualitative projects that explore the experiences of women breastfeeding a child over the age of 12 moths. The ultimate goal of such research is to develop interventions to “normalise” breastfeeding, improve attitudes towards it and increase rates of breastfeeding. My additional research interests include writing for health, adherence to medical treatments and healthy aging.

Teaching

I teach on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Undergraduate
I am the module leader for:

  • Advanced Research Methods in Psychology (Level 6)

Postgraduate
I am the module leader for:

  • Dissertation Preparation (Level 7)

  • Communication Issues in Health Care Settings (Level 7)

Publications

Field, L.H., Edwards, S.D., Edwards D.J., & Dean, S.E. (2018). Influence of HeartMath Training Programme on Physiological and Psychological Variables. Global Journal of Health Sciences, 10,2, 126-133.

Burton, A. E., Burgess, C., Dean, S., Koutsopoulou, G., & Hugh-Jones, S. (2017). How effective are mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress among healthcare professionals? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Stress and Health, 33, 1, 3-13.

Dean, S.E., Povey. R., & Reeves, J. (2016). Assessing interventions to increase compliance to patching treatment in children with amblyopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 100, 159-165.

Dean, S.E, Burton, A. E., & Atherton, H. (2016). Journal clubs for postgraduate health psychology students: experiences and perceived impact on skills development. (Work in Progress Poster) DHP/EHPA conference, Aberdeen.

Dean, S.E., Povey, C. & Reeves, J. (2015). Assessing interventions to increase adherence to patching treatment in children with amblyopia: A systematic review. EHPA conference, Cyprus.

Fox, C.L., Dean, S. & Lyford, K. (2013). Development of a humour styles questionnaire for children and young people. Humor, 26, (2) 295-319.

Dean, S. E. & Fox, C. L. (2013, July). Development of a Humor Styles Questionnaire for Children and Young People. Paper presented at ECPA conference, Spain.

Dean, S.E. (2010, September). Exploring written emotional disclosure in adolescents: Why doesn’t it work? Poster presented at the DHP conference, Belfast.

Fox, C.L., Lyford, K., & Dean, S. (2010, April). How do children use humour? Developing a humour style questionnaire for children and young people. Paper presented at the annual BPS Conference, Stratford-on Avon.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

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