Globetrotting academic opts for lecturing stop-over in Northampton

Northampton is the latest ‘pin’ in the travel hot spots atlas of the newest addition to the University’s Psychology team.

Karishma Jivraj, Lecturer in Psychology and whose specialist area is mental health, joins the University of Northampton as the new module coordinator for Health Psychology, from her previous life as a PhD student at Kingston University and St. George’s, University of London.

Karishma will also deliver support for developmental psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health as well as research methods.

Her PhD investigated shared decision making between health professionals and people with mental health conditions and how this and the therapeutic relationship impact medication use.

By better understanding how consultations work and improving service delivery, Karishma’s research hopes to help patients better adhere to taking their medication.

The results of this will go toward evidence based practice and informing new guidelines from health regulator the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Although Karishma has held previous research positions in clinical research and has experience of lecturing Mental Health Nurses her role at Northampton is her first, substantive, full-time teaching role.

Karishma said: “Teaching is very different to my usual day-to-day research activities – it really is a new ball game! – but I have a lot of personal experience that will help me. I moved to Spain for several months this year to complete my PhD and immerse myself in a different language and culture – so getting out of my comfort zone is something I’m completely happy with!

“Until very recently I’ve been a student myself so I know how much more involved and willing to contribute to their learning they are. As long as my teaching is enjoyable and interactive for them, I know they will share my passion for research and mental health.”

Outside of work Karishma, who was raised in San Francisco, is something of a traveller and a foodie. So far, she has visited and indulged in cuisine from several countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. She hopes to tick off 50 countries before 40.

She added: “I have a ‘scratch’ map of all of the places I’ve been to – but it still doesn’t scratch the surface! I’d still like to travel to and try local delights from South America, South Africa, Japan, Russia, China, Australia and Cuba. But first up is lecturing, a whole new country but one I’m already enjoying visiting. I think I’ll stay longer.”

Are you interested in studying Psychology with us? Check out the undergraduate and postgraduate courses on offer at University of Northampton.