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Dr Caroline Hands MA

University teacher Psychology

About

Personal Statement

My research interests revolve around educational processes, with a particular focus on adapting teaching and learning to best support students from diverse backgrounds. Currently, my primary research centers on student well-being and positive psychology, exploring the impact of non-academic factors like resilience on student success. I demonstrate my commitment to student well-being through the development of an award-winning series of workshops designed to help students overcome presentation and exam anxiety.

As a disabled neurodiverse mature student who has faced challenges within the traditional educational system, I am dedicated to ensuring that all students reach their full potential. I have published extensively on various educational topics, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate factors such as students' use of virtual learning environments, self-regulation, and their adaptation to the challenges posed by Covid. Additionally, I have created a short-form measure called DSML (Diversity of Strategies for Motivation in Learning), which exhibits good predictive validity for both student success and the risk of dropout among undergraduate students.

My current research interests include factors supporting well-being, experiences of students in higher education and the effects of migration on an individual's sense of self. I am currently accepting PhD students and would be happy to hear from individuals with project proposals in these (or related) areas.