Social Studies Lecturer
I joined the University in 2015 and I'm currently a Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences.
Following my BSc (Hons) in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, I gained a PGCE from the University of Leicester and taught Psychology, Health and Social Care, and Media Studies at a sixth-form college for 20 years.
I have also worked as an A Level examiner and have a certificate in counselling skills from Durham University. I undertook my MSc in Psychology Research Methods with the Open University before completing my PhD here at Sunderland.
My research focuses on the salutogenic potential of places that individuals perceive as having a positive impact on their wellbeing. I have presented my research at BrEPS (British Environmental Psychology Society) conferences in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and the 2018 AMPS (Architecture, Media, Politics and Society) conference which was co-convened by the World Health Organisation. I am a chartered member of the British Psychological Society.
I have worked in both the Schools of Psychology and Social Science, delivering modules in environmental, media, and health psychology, qualitative research methods, social problems, life course approaches to health and aging, practical applications in sociology, and counselling skills as well as supervising dissertation students.
Teaching and supervision
I currently teach:
- SOC233 Researching Society with Placement
- SOC232 Researching Society: Private, Public and Third Sector Organisations.
- SOC234 Social Science Research and Enquiry
- HSC205 Counselling Skills: Theory into Practice
- HSC203 The Individual and Society Across the Lifecourse
I supervise dissertation students on:
- SOC332 Social Science Dissertation
- SSCM26 Inequality and Society Dissertation
I am module lead on:
- SOC232 Researching Society: Private, Public and Third Sector Organisations
- SOC233 Researching Society with Placement
- SOC234 Social Science Research and Enquiry
- HSC205 Counselling Skills: Theory into Practice
Research interests for potential research students
- Person-place relationships
- Place, health and wellbeing
- Barriers to accessing place
- Qualitative research methods
Research
In my MSc, I explored the relationships people have with the beach in their north-east coastal community, including their use of place, perceptions of other users, and the wellbeing outcomes from time spent near blue spaces.
My PhD research used mixed methods to investigate how places provide people with a range of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing outcomes. I explored the types and characteristics of place that individuals associate with wellbeing outcomes and considered the role of person-place relationships, specifically place attachment. I also considered the barriers and facilitators that mediate people's access to place.
I am currently researching the behavioural determinants that impact undergraduate students' engagement with placement experiences.
Publications
Conference or Workshop Item
Henry, E J (2023) Explorations of the behavioural determinants that impact undergraduate student engagement with placement experiences. In: CASS Public Lecture (22nd May 2024) University of Sunderland, 22 May 2024, University of Sunderland. (Unpublished)
Henry, E J (2017) ‘They said I shouldn’t walk alone’: Perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing enhancing places'. In: HEALTH: THE DESIGN, PLANNING AND POLITICS OF HOW AND WHERE WE LIVE, 25th-26th January 2018, University of West of England. (Unpublished)
Thesis
Henry, E J (2022) The Salutogenic Role of the Environment in Maintaining and Enhancing Well-Being. Doctoral thesis, University of Sunderland.
- Person-place relationships
- Place, health and wellbeing
- Barriers to accessing place
- Qualitative research methods
Follow me on Twitter @ejhenry3.