Team

Dr Alyson Norman, Researcher, University of Plymouth

I was the main author of Face IT and have been working on this project since October 2005. I have a history of both research and clinical practice. I am currently working as a lecturer in the fields of health and clinical psychology.

  • October 2005 – July 2009: PhD (Facing up the visible difference: The design and evaluation of a computer-based psychosocial intervention), UWE, Bristol
  • October 2005 – July 2009: PhD (Facing up the visible difference: The design and evaluation of a computer-based psychosocial intervention), UWE, Bristol
  • September 2004 – September 2005: MSc Psychological Research Methods, Exeter University
  • September 2004 – June 2007: Diploma in Counselling, Institute for Natural Healing
  • September 2000 – Present: Member, British Psychological Society
  • September 2000 – June 2003: BSc (Hons) Psychology (First Class Honours), University of Southampton

Dr Alex Clarke, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Royal Free Hospital, London

My role in the Face IT group was to help to build the program about actual people and base the program on clinical examples that have worked. My specialist interests over the past ten years have focussed on the psychological impact and management of disfiguring injuries particularly affecting the face.

  • 2001: DPsych, City University
  • 1980: MSc in Clinical Psychology (Distinction), University of Surrey
  • 1977: BSc in Psychology (1st Class Honours), University College London
  • 1974: State Registered Nurse (SRN), St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
    AFBPsS
    Chartered Psychologist

Dr Diana Harcourt, Co-Director of CAR, University of the West of England

I was a member of the supervisory team for this project. My research focuses on the psychological impact of having a visible difference, and in particular the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on appearance.

  • July 2009: Registered Health Psychologist, Health Professions Council
  • January 2002: PG Certificate Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, UWE, Bristol
  • January 2001: Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
  • September 1997 – March 2000: PhD The Psychosocial Implications of Recent Changes to the Provision of Care for Women with Breast Cancer, UWE, Bristol
  • September 1995 – September 1997: MSc Psychological Research Methods, Exeter University
  • September 1995: Member, British Psychological Society
  • September 1991 – June 1994: BSc (Hons) Psychology & Health Science (First Class Honours), UWE, Bristol

Dr Tim Moss, Principal Lecturer, University of the West of England

I was the Academic Supervisor to Alyson Bessell, and took a lead on supervision and management of this project. I have a history of research and teaching in the area of visible differences, with particular interest in why some individuals cope and manage with a visible difference better than others.

  • July 2010 – July 2010: Level A Psychometric Testing. British Psychological Society (through Team Focus)
  • 2009: Registered Health Psychologist, Health Professions Council
  • 2005: Fellow of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
  • 2005: Fellow of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
  • 2003: Coordinator, Derriford appearance scales project www.derriford.info
  • January 2001 – January 2003: Masters in Public Health – Distinction – University of Wolverhampton
  • January 1999 – January 2000: Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education – University of Wolverhampton
  • January 1993 – January 1998: PhD: “Individual Differences in Psychological Adjustment to Perceived Abnormalities of Appearance” – University of Plymouth in collaboration with Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
  • January 1988 – January 1992: BSc (Hons) Psychology – First Class – University of Plymouth

Professor Nicky Rumsey, Co-Director of CAR, University of the West of England

I was also a member of the supervisory team for this project. I have spent many years conducting and contributing to research in the field of visible difference.

  • January 2002: Elected member, Institute of Learning & Teaching
  • January 1998: Chartered Health Psychologist, British Psychological Society
  • January 1991: Practitioner member, Division of Counselling Psychology BPS
  • January 1990: MSc (Distinction) Health Psychology, University of London
  • January 1989: Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
  • January 1986: Associate Fellow, British Psychological Society
  • January 1983: Winston Churchill Memorial Fellow
  • January 1983: Diploma in Counselling Skills
  • January 1982: PhD Psychology, North East London Polytechnic
  • January 1977: BA (Hons) Psychology, University of Exeter

Dr Heidi Williamson, Researcher, Centre for Appearance Research

I’m in charge of the design and testing of YP Face IT and I have a particular interest in working with young people with a visible difference to find out what support they would like.

  • Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, University of the West of England, Bristol.
  • MSc Health Psychology (Distinction), University of the West of England, Bristol.
  • BSc (1st Class Hons) Psychology & Health Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol.
  • Registered Nurse, Dorset School of Nursing.
  • Member of the British Psychological Society.