Getting to know our committee members – Lovell Jones

Our student representative Lovell (picture above) is currently undertaking her PhD in psychobiology at Anglia Ruskin University. A previous winner of the undergraduate project prize, Lovell has been a committee member since September 2023. We took a few moments to find out more about her, her work, and what it's like to be a student on the committee.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in psychobiology?

My path to psychobiology was far from traditional. At 15, I was excluded from school and scraped through a few GCSEs, failing most. I spent the next few years working in retail before deciding to work with children with special educational needs. That led me to complete a BTEC in Childcare, which went well, but personal circumstances took me to Canada, where I ran a rust-proofing company while waiting to attend university. I eventually began my degree in Canada but had to return to the UK, facing another three-year delay before I could restart my studies.

During that time, I worked in a bookshop and was asked to manage the psychology section — that's when the subject first caught my attention. I began my degree with no clear direction, just a genuine interest in understanding human behaviour. Partway through, I got a job in the campus biomarker lab and became fascinated with how stress could be measured through hair samples. This led to a summer internship studying the neural correlates of ASMR — a topic I continue to research today.

What is the focus of your PhD research, and what excites you most about it?

My PhD explores the physiological stress and social responses associated with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). What excites me most is how new and relatively unexplored this area is. While some dismiss ASMR as a fad, I believe that doesn't make it any less worthy of serious research. I often think about how every field once began with a few curious researchers facing scepticism, and there's something poetic about my own academic journey developing alongside a topic still in its early stages. Even if ASMR is partly driven by expectancy effects, its widespread use — especially among millennials and Gen Z — makes it a phenomenon worth understanding in greater depth.

How did you become involved with the Psychobiology Section of the BPS?

I first got involved with the Psychobiology Section when my supervisor and another lecturer nominated my final-year project for the section's undergraduate award. A month later, I was surprised to receive an email saying I'd won and was invited to speak at the annual meeting. I was incredibly nervous, imagining a huge audience, but it turned out to be an intimate and welcoming group of around 30 people in a lovely setting in Newcastle. Everyone was so supportive that, after some encouragement from committee members, I decided to join the section's committee myself.

What advice would you give to students or early-career researchers interested in psychobiology?

As someone still early in my own research journey, offering advice feels a bit surreal – but I'd say get involved with the BPS Psychobiology Section. It's a genuinely supportive and welcoming community. Try to gain hands-on experience where you can; my first roles in psychobiology research were voluntary but eventually led to paid work. Look for local biomarker labs or research groups and don't be afraid to reach out. And finally — the bookseller in me can't resist – I highly recommend reading The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, Good Reasons for Bad Feelings by Randolph Nesse, and Blueprint by Robert Plomin. 

What's a fun fact about you that people might not know?

A fun fact that people might not know is that my partner is Hungarian, so I've been attempting (and often failing) to learn Hungarian — apparently one of the most challenging languages to master! It's been a fun but humbling experience. Sziasztok, legyen szép napotok! (Hey everyone, have a good day!).

Tell us a bit about what you like to get up to outside of psychobio?

Outside of psychobiology, I like to stay busy and explore new hobbies. I do pottery, play board games and pickleball, and am an avid supporter of Arsenal Women's Football Club. I'm also obsessed with Greek mythology and re-read The Iliad and The Odyssey most years (If you share my enthusiasm, you must read The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller!)