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Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Stephen welcomes applications from potential PhD students, especially those interested in hidden disability, loneliness, psychological wellbeing and rehabilitation strategies, with a specific focus on stroke and brain injury survivors.

Willing to speak to media

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Personal profile

Biography

I am an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. As a clinically focused psychologist and researcher, my work bridges cognitive neuropsychology and psychosocial rehabilitation to advance understanding and support for people living with the hidden consequences of stroke and brain injury.

My research centres on the development and evaluation of co-produced digital and psychosocial interventions that address issues such as visual impairments, identity disruption, stigma, and loneliness after stroke or brain injury. Across my work, I am particularly interested in how motivational, social, and emotional factors shape rehabilitation and recovery, and how these can be harnessed to improve quality of life for survivors and their families.

I completed my PhD in Cognitive Neuropsychology at Durham University, where I investigated how reward-based mechanisms influence eye movements and behaviour—work that informed later research into reward-driven training for visual field deficits such as hemianopia. Following this, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher on a major programme developing and trialling digital tools to support compensation for post-stroke visual loss.

Since joining Northumbria, I have expanded my programme of work to examine the broader psychosocial challenges faced by people after stroke or brain injury, including hidden impairments that affect identity, social participation, and wellbeing. My projects combine clinical insight, co-production, and interdisciplinary collaboration to generate practical solutions to complex rehabilitation needs.

Education/Academic qualification

Neurosciences, PhD, Rewards have a transient and task-specific effect on saccade latency and accuracy, Durham University

1 Oct 20101 Nov 2014

Award Date: 25 Nov 2014

External positions

Animal Free Research UK

1 Jan 20181 Jan 2023

Research Group keywords

  • Health and Wellbeing

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion keywords

  • Disability Equality
  • Under-representation
  • Marginalisation

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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