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Dr Sophie Drennan


Home / About / Academic staff profiles / Psychology / Sophie Drennan

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

I am a BPS Chartered Psychologist within biosocial psychology fields and a Fellow of the HEA. My specialist interests consider the physiological processes involved with individual stress and the impact of adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms on emotions, behaviours, and cognition and inclusive of neurodiversity, lifespan, culture, belief systems, and gender intersections.

Teaching and supervision

I teach across a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and am the current Module Leader for undergraduate modules:

  • PSY266 'Investigating Complex Issues in Psychology' (Semester 1 and 2)
  • PSY380 'From Research to Reality' (Semester 1 and 2)
  • PSY390 'Development and Neurodiversity' (Semester 1)

Module Leader for MSc Psychology (online)
  • PSYM96 'Social Psychology Across the Lifespan'

Lecturer for MSc Psychology conversion (on-campus)
  • PSYM65 'From Cradle to Grave'
  • PSYM61 'Experimental Design and Analysis'

I supervise undergraduate BSc and MSc students with topics in alignment with my psychological specialisms and interests and research method approaches. I am experienced in on-campus and online teaching contexts and I'm keen to evolve the pedagogies involved.

Research interests for potential research students

I am a SEDA CoP approved PhD Supervisor currently supervising doctoral candidate topics of:

  • Exploring the Intersectionality of Autism: Autism and the Queer Community, with Special Attention To Late and Self-Diagnosed Autistic Adults'
  • Primary Research Interests employing Quantitative, Qualitative (Thematic Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) and Mixed Methods:
  • Individual stress responses and stressor contexts (everyday, chronic)
  • Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies
  • Intersectional experiences (inclusive of neurodiverse experiences)
  • Belief systems (traditional, non-traditional, anomalous, supernatural)

Research

I have a research background in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and psychometrics (scale development) exploring individual stress experiences and coping mechanisms, including paranormal beliefs, superstitions, and anomalous experiences. Current research explores experiences of and attitudes and perceptions towards individuals who identify as middle-aged females.
  • Individual stress responses (neurotypical and neurodiverse)
  • Coping mechanisms (behavioural, emotional, physiological, and cognitive)
  • Belief systems

I am the Deputy Programme Leader for the MSc Psychology conversion.

I have an additional role as the Postgraduate Recruitment Lead for Psychology collaborating with colleagues and external organisations to identify avenues that will encourage applicants for current MSc Psychology-related degrees with UoS.

With a background of involvement in Faculty and Departmental Research Ethics Committees (as Chair of Psychology) I currently support the UoS Research Governance, Integrity and Ethics reviewing University ethical policies; and psychology student ethical applications across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Last updated 28 February 2024