Meet the Board

Publications & Communications Board Members

Dr Graham Powell
Chair

I studied for my BSc in Psychology at University College London (UCL), and then obtained my MPhil and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry. I am a specialist in the effects of physical and mental trauma, and a member of the Division of Clinical, Health, Forensic and Neuropsychology. I have held appointments at the University of London and the University of Surrey and Visiting Professor at UCL.

I have undertaken clinical and research work in various hospital settings including the Maudsley Hospital, Harrowlands Young Disabled Unit, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, RAF Headley Court, and Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital. My research and academic writing has covered childhood epilepsy, head injury, burden upon carers, progress in rehabilitation, psychometric assessment and forensic issues.

Currently I provide services to several Policy forces, and my clinical work includes management of head injury, occupational stress, chronic pain and disability, and coping with trauma.

I have also run programmes abroad funded by the Department for International Development, especially in Bangladesh and Pakistan, including work on violence against women. I have always taken an active role in the Society.

Dr Harriet Gross
Deputy Chair

I am currently a lecturer in Psychology at the Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University.

After working in the book trade for a number of years, I took a psychology degree at Reading University, and followed this by research at Nottingham for my PhD on the development of young deaf children. I worked as a researcher on projects concerning children with special needs and then switched my focus to the processes of assessment and training.

Since 1988, I have been working at Loughborough University, where my research has primarily concerned women's health and wellbeing during pregnancy.

I enjoy holidays in the sun, running, films and gardening!

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Dr George Delafield
PPB Representative

George joined the P&C Board as PPB Representative in April 2008.

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Dr Peter Wright
PEB Representative

Peter has been the representative for the PEB since 2003.

Professor David Messer
RB Representative

I am at present Professor in the Faculty of Education and Language Studies at the Open University. Previously I was Professor at London South Bank University and University of Hertfordshire where I also was Head of Department. I have been interested in communicating research findings in psychology to both an academic and wider audience. I have published over 90 papers and chapters, edited or written 10 books, been involved in the editorship of two Journals and have organised a number of conferences. My research interests are wide and are based in developmental psychology: cognitive development particularly representations and the lexicon; communication and language, particularly children with disabilities, and children’s attitudes and beliefs.

My involvement in the BPS has consisted of being: press officer for the Developmental Section, conference reports editor for the Psychologist, Chair of the Developmental Section and member of the Research, Education and the P&C Boards.

Dr Fiona Jones
Chair of Press Committee

I took over as Chair of the Press Committee in April 2007, having been a member for the past six years.

I have been a Senior Lecturer in Health and Occupational Psychology at the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, since 2002. Previously I was at the University of Hertfordshire where I studied for an MSc and PhD as a mature student, before holding various lecturing positions. I had a previous career as a social worker.

I have research interests in the areas of work stress and health behaviours including the effects of work stress on exercise and healthy eating.

Professor Stephen Morley
Chair of Journals Committee

I have been Chair of the BPS Journals Committee since December 2004.

I was educated at University College London and the Institute of Psychiatry. I am currently Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Leeds.

Dr Paul Redford
Chair of Psychologist Policy Committee (PPC)

I am currently Chair of the Psychologist Policy Committee, a position I've held since 2004. Previously I was the assistant Associate Editor for the conference reports section of The Psychologist.

Since 1998, I have contributed to the publication by writing numerous conference reports and research in brief pieces, as well as serving on the Policy Committee since 2002.

As an enthusiast for The Psychologist, I hope my time as the Chair of the Policy Committee will see the publication continue to improve as a high quality publication of interest and value to the members, with articles that are academically rigorous, interesting and readable.

I have been a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of the West of England, Bristol, since September 2005. I was previously Head of Psychology at The University of Winchester. I completed my undergraduate degree at Keele University and Doctorate at the University of Sussex.

Emeritus Professor Ken Brown
Chair of Standing Conference Committee

Ken took over as Chair of Standing Conference Committee in August 2008.

Graduated with first class honours in psychology from Aberdeen University in 1964
Assistant Lecturer, Aberdeen University, 1965-67
Lecturer, Aberdeen University, 1967-68
Lecturer, Queen’s University of Belfast, 1968-75
Senior Lecturer, Queen’s University of Belfast, 1975-77
Professor, Queen’s University of Belfast, 1977-99
Emeritus Professor, Queen’s University of Belfast, 99-

Head of Department, Queen’s University of Belfast, 1977-98
Dean, Faculty of Science, Queen’s University of Belfast, 1995-1998

Fellow, British Psychological Society, 1977-
Fellow, Psychological Society of Ireland, 1979-
Special Award of Merit, Psychological Society of Ireland, 1998

Visiting Scholar, University of California at San Diego, 1984-85

Chair, Association of Heads of Psychology Departments, 1995-98
Chair, Northern Ireland Branch, BPS, 2001-2003

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Dr Stephen Gibson
Member Network Editor Representative

Simon took over as one of the Board's Member Network Editor Representatives at the 2009 AGM.

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Dr Kerri McPherson
Member Network Editor Representative

My appointment as a Subsystem Editor Representative in May 2006 relates to my role as Deputy Editor of Health Psychology Update.

I am currently a Lecturer in Psychology and Programme Leader for undergraduate Health Psychology in the School of Social Sciences, Media & Communication at Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh. I have a broad range of research interests that span the psychology of weight control, body image/aesthetic, evolutionary psychology and, more recently, health and well-being amongst sexual minority groups.

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Elizabeth Freeman
PsyPAG Representative

I studied for my BSc in Psychology at Stirling University and am currently working towards my PhD at York St Johns University. My interests are in outdoor therapy, eco-psychology, critical psychology and community psychology. My research investigates Wilderness Therapy and its potential role in promoting adult mental health and well-being.

Other research interests revolve around climate change and environmental awareness, and critical reflections on the pedagogic process including issues around learning, teaching, and the dissemination and communication of research. I look to continue my involvement in these areas and continually improve my knowledge through teaching, research and practice.

As an undergraduate I have previously held various committee positions and formed a successful art society of which I held presidency for 2 years. In York I’m on the co-ordinating team for York in Transition and I have also recently been appointed representative for Higher Education Academy Psychology Network (HEAPN).

My passion for the great outdoors comes from living and mountaineering in Scotland’s highlands and lowlands. I also have a love of art and music

Nick Denyer
Student Members Group Representative

I'm in my last (3rd) year reading for a degree in BSc (Hons) Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. Currently I'm researching the possibility of doing a Ph.D once I have finished my degree, and I would be interested in one day working as a Neuroscientist. My main research area is Biological Psychology applied to Cognition, and I enjoy many research areas, especially human sexual behaviour, Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology.

For my third year project, I'm working on an experiment into the effects of different levels of Cannabis use on cognition when applied to everyday life, whilst also looking at whether any impairments caused by Cannabis are reversed in those who have abstained for 6 months or longer.

My role on the SMG is that of a general member, but I'm also the assistant to Psych-Talk's editor. I look forward to representing the SMG and contributing as much as possible to the P&C Board.

Kevin Kingsland
Co-opted Member

During the 1960's I studied psychology in London whilst training with amazing people beyond the university, including founding humanistic psychologists. After graduating I travelled around the world acquiring a life-long passion for interpersonal communication and human development. Returning in 1971, I co-founded the Centre for Human Communication.

My work embraced the whole person exploring bodywork and consciousness, the formation of natural organisations and the psychological basis of business. In different decades I did postgraduate neurophysiology, industrial psychology, Japanese language and business at London, Hull and Stirling Universities, all the time pursuing a fractal theory of psychology. I taught at City, Southampton, Solent and overseas Universities.

I am a Chartered Psychologist and member of the Divisions of Occupational and Counselling Psychology. I have served on BPS committees and as Chairman of the Association of Business Psychologists.

I have been chairman, director or CEO of organisations in the publishing, IT, food, professional and civil society sectors in the UK, USA and Asia. Currently, I am director of TSR International and a Justice of the Peace for Hampshire.

Chris Markham
Co-opted Member

I am a management consultant specialising in communications, and am studying part-time for a BSc in Psychology with the Open University. I originally read Russian and Law then gained my Masters in Business (MBA) in 1999. While I am at the early stages of my psychological study I am already fascinated by research on memory and the new insights that neuroimaging is bringing.