Biography
Magdalena Smusz is a Lecturer in Psychology at Birmingham Newman University. Before this, she was an Associate Lecturer at the University of Salford, where she taught seminars on various psychology courses.
Magdalena holds a PhD in Applied Psychology from the University of Salford. Her doctoral research focused on understanding the experiences of romantic relationships and sexuality education among neurodivergent and neurotypical young people, viewed through the perspectives of young people, educational professionals, and caregivers. Magdalena also earned an MSc in Applied Psychology (Therapies) and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Counselling from the University of Salford.
Additionally, Magdalena has a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PCHEP) and she is recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). She is also a Chartered Member of The British Psychological Society (CPsychol).
Profile
Research Interests
Magdalena’s research interests encompass a range of topics, including neurodiversity, social inclusion, health, and spirituality. Currently, her work is concentrated in two main areas: access to sexual health support for neurodivergent LGBTQ+ young people, and the intersection of neurodiversity and the Catholic Church.
Magdalena is additionally a member of the supervisory team for a doctoral research project related to neurodiversity.
Teaching
Magdalena is responsible for creating and delivering lecture content, as well as leading seminars, for both undergraduate and master’s level psychology courses.
Magdalena is deeply passionate about working with young people and is dedicated to helping them achieve their academic goals. She firmly believes that everyone can reach their aspirations with the right opportunities and support.
Administrative Responsibilities
These may include various posts of responsibility at subject, school and institutional level.
Membership of Professional Organisations
Chartered Membership of The British Psychological Society (CPsychol)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Other Activities
Research supervisor
- PhD student supervisor (ongoing) at Birmingham Newman University.
Topic: The experiences of loneliness in autistic young people during the transition to adulthood.
Conference Addresses and Papers
- Conference: 2021
Organising, chairing, and presenting at the Sexuality in Neurodivergent Individuals, Two-part Online conference (01/09/2021 and 08/09/2021).
Researchers in the field from different countries were invited to discuss sexuality in neurodivergent people. An additional focus of the event was the challenges encountered when conducting research on sexuality in neurodivergent individuals. Over 200 people attended Part 1 and over 100 Part 2.
- Paper presentation: 2021
Presenting the PhD research at the SPARK conference, University of Salford.
- Paper presentation: 2020
Delivering a short presentation on sexuality education and romantic relationships in neurodivergent and neurotypical young people (PhD project’s topic) in an online webinar: “Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice, CYCJ’s Associates Webinar Series, University of Strathclyde” (over 300 clinicians, psychologists, etc. attended the webinar).
- Paper presentation: 2024
Presenting a paper “Exploring the Experience of Romantic Relationships and Sexuality Education in Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Young Individuals” at the Neurodiversity and Justice Conference at Birmingham Newman University.
Publications
Smusz, M. et al. (2024). Exploring the Experience of Romantic Relationships and Sexuality Education in Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Young Individuals. Sexuality and Disability, 42, 753-764. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09857-8 https://rdcu.be/dJV9y
Smusz, M. et al. (2024). Broad Perspectives of the Experience of Romantic Relationships and Sexual Education in Neurodivergent Adolescents and Young Adults. Sexuality and Disability, 42, 459-499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09840-3 https://rdcu.be/dECh7