Dr Caroline Hands MA

Research Overview

My research interests cover three broad areas:

Factors contributing to positive Well-being: My research in this area incorporates a vast range of topics such as mindfulness, making and creating art and spending time in nature. I am interested in how such activities can help individuals develop resilience and support their well-being during times of difficulty and stress.

Student experience of higher education: This research area covers a wide range of research areas Encompassing academic (e.g. how students learn and progress) and the wider factors affecting this such as their well-being and finances. I am interested in how education can contribute to increasing an individual's employability following their studies, I am particularly interested in the experiences of neuro diverse, disabled and international students.

Migration, and its effects on the sense of self: As we live in an increasingly global and connected world it is not uncommon for an individual to find themselves living, working or studying in a different environment than they grew up in. I am interested in how those currently living in the UK (and those who choose to return home after a period of living here) understand their sense of self in terms of culture, resilience and identity and how this contributes to thier sense of belonging.