My profile

Biography

Zarah joined the department in January 2020 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the MSc Psychological Wellbeing Training Pathway. Zarah works as an Associate Lecturer across undergraduate and postgraduate units. Alongside this, Zarah is completing a PhD within the Psychology Department. Zarah is passionate about qualitative research methods, using grounded theory predominantly within my own research. She has also worked on a number of projects as a Research Assistant, predominantly focusing on children and young people’s mental health.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor of Philosophy – Psychology (Manchester Metropolitan University, part-time) 2020 – present

(PhD thesis: Exploring emerging multiplicity and its impact on young adults psychosocial functioning)

Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education – (Manchester Metropolitan University) 2020 - present

(HE Today and Learning, Teaching and Assessment in Higher Education)

Master of Science – Family and Child Psychology (University of Chester) 2017 – 2018

(MSc dissertation: The effect on imaginary companions during childhood on fantasy play predisposition, autism and schizotypy traits in adulthood)

First Class Bachelor of Science (with Honours) – Psychology (University of Chester) 2014 – 2017

(BSc dissertation: Do self-esteem, self-respect, and gender influence levels of cognitive engagement in university students?)

OTHER ACADEMIC SERVICE (ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT)

PGR Representative for Health and Education 2020 - present

PGR Representative for PGR Lifecycle project 2022 - present

Health and Education PGR Conference organisation committee member 2022

PGR Conference Academic Lead 2021

PRIZES AND AWARDS

Above and Beyond – Research Assistant - Manchester Metropolitan University – Jobs4Students Awards – Highly Commended 2021

Above and Beyond – Academic Assistant - Manchester Metropolitan University – Jobs4Students Awards – Nomination 2020

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society

Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

Projects

Areas of research focus:

  • Exploring emerging multiplicity
  • Unusual Sensory Experiences
  • Children and young adults mental health
  • Digital techniques and tools to support therapeutic interventions
  • Service evaluation of mental health services in Greater Manchester
  • Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and rapid reviews

Teaching

Zarah is a unit leader and teaches on the following units:

  • Clinical Skills (MSc Psychological Wellbeing Training Pathway; unit lead)
  • Critical and Social Psychology (Level 5)
  • Lifespan Development (Level 5)
  • Developmental and Psychological Disorders in Childhood (Level 6)

Supervision

Zarah is an external advisor for a DClinPsy thesis at Lancaster University focusing on the eating disorder voice.

Research outputs