After completing my undergraduate degree in psychology, I was keen to further explore the field of health psychology. This led to me starting a master’s in Health Psychology at the University of Manchester last September.

As part of the master’s, we were given the opportunity to engage with a health psychology placement. Keen to gain experience in the field, I applied, and I was fortunate to complete a placement here at the Manchester Centre for Health Psychology!

My placement involved creating and supporting with the development of resources to help with the dissemination of research at MCHP. I was excited to start this new role, however, undeniably apprehensive as I had little past experience with disseminating psychological research.

However, with the support and welcoming nature of staff here at MCHP, the learning process was much less daunting than I had first anticipated. In fact, it was a truly enjoyable and incredibly valuable experience. I developed skills in creating resources, such as infographics and blogs, and learned about a variety of research happening at MCHP.

Over the past six months, this experience has positively shifted my perspective to consider a future role and career in psychological research. If I am honest, a research role was something I had not really considered in my undergraduate degree.

However, after being enlightened to the interesting and important research happening here at MCHP, I am now very much inspired to take up a role in research. Further to this, I have learned how to communicate research to wider audiences in effective ways and realised the importance that dissemination plays in the research process.

As I come to the end of my placement, I can happily say I will take away valuable transferable skills in disseminating research, as well as a new perspective around a future role in research.

My experience at MCHP has enhanced my excitement and love for health psychology, and further inspired me to look forward to a future career in the field.

About the author

Lauren Moore is a MSc Health Psychology student at The University of Manchester, and a BSc Psychology graduate. She is currently completing a placement at the Manchester Centre for Health Psychology.

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