Spotlight on DHP committee members
We meet four members of the DHP committee, with tea and comfort featuring quite heavily...
20 December 2023
Share this page
Prof Aimee Aubeeluck, Chair
In a sentence or two, please describe your role on the DHP committee:
To provide leadership and direction to the committee so as to facilitate the work of the DHP in pursuing its vision, mission and strategic direction within the committee’s terms of reference.
What is your ‘day job’?
Professor of Health Psychology Education and Deputy Head of School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham. Responsible for the day to day running of an academic school that educates tomorrow’s nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, sport rehabilitators and public health experts.
What is your favourite health psychology model or theory, and why?
Health Locus of Control (HLC). I am passionate about providing people with the tools that allow them to feel in control of their own health and destiny.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
A dolphin.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
I'm a bit of a homebody so probably sat on my sofa with a steaming cup of tea.
Amy Baraniak, Honorary Secretary
In a sentence or two, please describe your role on the DHP committee
I generally support committee members with anything they need! I work closely with our BPS support officer, chair and treasurer. I also have a couple of my own tasks or projects, which include overseeing the DHP awards, stage 2 completion celebration and I am running a ‘mentoring in health psychology’ study. I also support the Health Psychology Trainee Network stage 1 conversation cafes. My role might be quite different in any given week depending on what is needed!
What is your ‘day job’?
I am Interim Head of Professional Psychological Practice at the University of Derby where I look after a fantastic team of psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists. Prior to this I was assistant head of the same discipline, and programme director for MSc Health Psychology programmes at the University of Derby. I spend my days keeping our discipline area running smoothly. There is definitely not a typical day, but they are typical in their unpredictability!
What is your favourite health psychology model or theory, and why?
I'm not sure I have a favourite - there are too many to choose from! I don't think that is an acceptable answer....if pressed I would say I like Leventhal's Self Regulatory Model of Illness, but I think that is more because illness experience and management is the area of health psychology I like working in best!
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
Sometimes a meerkat, sometimes a sloth!!
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
In my living room, fire blazing, suitable snacks, blanket and Shetland!
Kiran Bain, EDI taskforce co-lead
In a sentence or two, please describe your role on the DHP committee:
To facilitate the embedding of Equality/Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into committee activities for the benefit of our members and the activities we do as a health psychology workforce.
What is your ‘day job’?
I am working as a practising health psychologist in an NHS trust, specialising in haematology. I deliver clinical interventions with clients to help them to manage their haematological conditions, consult with staff and train them. I also proactively support client advocacy where they experience health disparities, particularly clients with sickle cell as they often experience medical racism, and other intersecting forms of marginalisation.
What is your favourite health psychology model or theory, and why?
Social cognition theory thus far, as it encompasses individual, proxy and collective efficacy. It also looks at group and social factors which impact health in tangible ways - a lot of models struggle with this.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
An elephant. They have an amazing memory and intelligence, are incredibly prosocial and live in groups.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
Probably in a glass igloo in Finland, hoping to capture a sight of the Aurora Borealis. I bet it'd be a nice warm one too, brr!
Caroline Brett, Communications Lead (co-opted)
In a sentence or two, please describe your role on the DHP committee
To facilitate communication within the DHP, looking after the DHP’s social media presence, editing the newsletter, letting DHP members know about all the wonderful things that are happening in health psychology in the UK and beyond, and liaising with other committee members as needed.
What is your ‘day job’?
I am currently a lecturer on the clinical psychology doctorate at Edinburgh University, co-ordinating the health, beliefs, and behaviours teaching, and supervising trainee clinical psychologists and MSc students. I also have oversight of student support within the School in which I am based. My research focusses on predictors of wellbeing, and non-clinical interventions to enhance health and wellbeing, such as social prescribing.
What is your favourite health psychology model or theory, and why?
I’m quite partial to the theoretical domains framework / COM-B, because it encompasses so many other theories and can potentially be applied to any intervention that aims to change behaviour in the broadest sense.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
Probably a chipmunk – always rushing around, resourceful, and like to retreat to safety in their burrows when things get tricky.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
Sitting on a rock on a small Scottish island, staring out to sea, and with a fresh cup of tea and cake waiting for me somewhere warm.
