I am a psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist researching processes in the mind and brain underpinning mental health and wellbeing. My research investigates changes in these processes over the lifespan and as a result of mental health and wellbeing interventions, meditation training and wider societal shifts such as the current global crises. I wrote three non-fiction books and one fiction novelette on these topics. I also write blog pieces and make podcasts. This website is dedicated to communicating about my research and writings in an accessible way to wider audiences. If you are a researcher looking for more detailed information about my research studies and projects, please visit the website of the Well Minds Lab I am heading or my University of York profile page.
Latest News:
July 2025 – In this new article on my Psychology Today blog I explain why our wellbeing is intertwined with how strong democracies are and suggest what we all can do at the individual level to support democracy. This includes using fear as a compass, fostering our shared humanity and taking constructive action. Read more: Fear Can Undermine Democracy
June 2025 – My new peer-reviewed book published by Routledge – Making Sense of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Schools: A Practical, Neuroscience-Based Guide – is now available for pre-order. The book specifies key capacities underpinning mental health and wellbeing in an accessible way and presents a trauma-informed 7-Step approach to fostering these capacities systematically and gradually across primary school years.
May 2025 – Over the past two years I worked with the PSHE Association on translating my new neurodevelopmental theory of mental health and wellbeing into an innovative comprehensive mental health and wellbeing curriculum for primary schools in England called The Foundations for Wellbeing. Here is a short article explaining why I worked on this project and what it involved: How can we do a better job at teaching children mental health and wellbeing knowledge and skills in primary schools?
Social media:
Follow me on Linkedin and Bsky for updates on my research and writings about mental health and wellbeing in schools and about mental health, wellbeing and global crises.
Follow me on Instagram for accessible updates about my research and writings on meditation.
Blogs and podcasts:
Psychology Today Blog Mind, Brain and the Big Qs
Coming soon:
Podcast on Mind, Brain, Meditation & the Big Qs
Podcast on Dealing with Existential Uncertainty