Melanie West

The mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven
John Milton

Biography

Melanie was awarded a BSc in Psychology and Health studies from University of Central Lancashire, and went on to gain a graduate diploma in Psychology from University of Wolverhampton.  Mel then achieved a distinction in her MSc Health Psychology from Aston University, after which she completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham on visual search, cognitive ageing, and an intervention to improve attention and working memory in older adults. Whilst working as a lecturer at the University of Chester Mel gained associate follow membership status to the HEA. Mel is currently involved in several research projects – some of which focus on ageing, and some of which focus on health psychology.

Profile

Research interests

In relation to applied research Mel is interested in all aspects of psychology in the real world. In relation to cognitive research Mel is interested in visual search (including eye-tracking), cognitive ageing, and interventions.  In relation to health Mel is interested in healthy eating, exercise, and interventions.  In relation to on-line trolling behaviour Mel is interested in how trolls are construed and dealt with. Mel is also involved in pedagogic research here at Newman.

Teaching: Mel has teaching interests in health psychology, research methods, cognitive psychology and applied psychology. Mel teaches on both the MSc and undergraduate Psychology Programmes, and supervises undergraduate and MSc dissertations.

Membership of Professional Organisations

  • Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society
  • Member of the Division of Health Psychology
  • Member of the Cognitive Psychology Section
  • Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Other Activities

Conferences and other research activity:

West, M., & Dodd, L (2021). Obesity Surgery halves the risk of health consequences but lifestyle changes can not be ignored. BPS DHP Annual Conference.

West, M., Dodd, L. & Hogan, K. F. (2021). Students’ evaluation of assessment feedback. BPS DARTP Annual Conference.​

West, M. and Hogan, K. (2018) Evaluation of dementia support groups from a carers’ perspective. Report written for Age UK. BPS Conference, BCU.

Poole, J. & West, M. (2016). The hope experience of family caregivers of people living with dementia. A narrative inquiry. Age UK conference, UCS University of Chester.

West, M., Mevorach, C. & Humphreys, G. (2014) Improving attention and working memory in older adults. EPS conference, Nottingham Trent University.

West, M., and Humphreys, G. (2014).  Eye-tracking: Singleton search, Nottingham Trent University.

West, M., Mevorach, C. & Humphreys, G. (2014) Improving attention and working memory in older adults. EPS conference, UCL.

West, M. and Humphreys, G. (2013). Singleton search. EPS conference, Bangor University.

West, M., Mevorach, C. & Humphreys, G. (2012). A cognitive intervention for older adults. University of Birmingham research event.

West, M., and Cooke, R. (2011). Using implementation intentions to increase lifestyle physical activity. BPS national Health Psychology conference, Southampton.

West, M., and Nicholls, W. (2009). Predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged 9-11 years. BPS national Health Psychology conference, Aston University.

Reports

West, M. and Hogan, K. (2018) Evaluation of dementia support groups from a carers’ perspective. Report written for Age UK.

 

 

Publications

  • McGarry, K. A., West, M., & Hogan, K. F. (2021). Perspective-taking and social competence in adults. Advances in Cognitive Psychology, 17(2), 129-135. https://doi.org/10.5709/acp-0323-5

  • West, M. and Hogan K. (2019) Carers’ experiences of dementia support groups. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/capr.12253

  • Coles, A. & West, M. (2016). Weaving the internet together: Imagined communities in newspaper comment threads. Computers in Human Behavior. 60, 44-53. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.049

  • Coles, A. & West, M. (2016). Trolling the trolls: Online Forum Users Constructions of the Nature and Properties of Trolling. Computers in Human Behavior.