About Liz Cunningham
I joined the University in 2018. I have worked in higher education for more than 20 years as a researcher and lecturer. I previously taught at the University of Brighton in the School of Applied Social Sciences and the University of Sussex in the School of Cultural and Community Studies where I completed my MA in Applied Policy Studies. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
My professional experience before joining academia was in the international development field. Previous to this I worked in the private and charitable sectors in the UK. My work overseas was primarily in South East Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam) helping to develop local non-governmental organisations and administering large bilateral aid projects. I also jointly coordinated a British Council-funded project to support the Royal University of Phnom Penh's development of its psychology provision at master's level and coordinated an Erasmus exchange programme with the University of Naples, Italy.
Teaching and supervision
I teach:
I am module leader for:
- CHS301 – Work-Based Research Project
- HSC309 – Community Level Interventions: Health, Wellbeing and Social Change
- SSCM27 – Mind, Body and Health Inequalities
I also supervise undergraduate students on the Dissertation module and postgraduate students on the SSCM26 Inequality and Society Dissertation module.
I am a Personal Academic Tutor for students on Health, Wellbeing and Care in Society.
I was the External Examiner on the BA (Hons) Community, Public Health and Social Care top-up degree at Calderdale College (2021–2022).
Research
I have researched and published on the following:
- The role of psychology in Cambodia
- Building participation in squatter communities in Cambodia
- Problematic personal debt in the UK
- Young people's experiences, views and preferences regarding school-based sexual health
- The teaching of activism and social justice to students in higher education
I started a Professional Doctorate in the School of Nursing and Health Studies here at the University of Sunderland in 2023. My focus for this work is researcher identity in relation to participatory and collaborative research practice.
Further information
- President of the European Community Psychology Association (2015-2017)
- Trustee of the Trust for Developing Communities (2010-2013)
- Visiting Professor, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Psychology Dept. (2009-2010)
My Orcid ID is: 0000-0002-7215-5381.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals(opens in new tab) (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. My work contributes towards the following SDGs:
SDG1 – No Poverty
SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
SDG4 – Quality Education
SDG5 – Gender Equality
SDG10 – Reduced Inequalities