Dr Michelle Tytherleigh
Senior Lecturer
Biography
Michelle is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology and, as both a psychologist and educator, is really interested in how the principles of positive psychology can be applied to support the teaching and learning experiences, including wellbeing, of students. In particular, by looking at positive education and a strengths–based approach to learning and teaching. The focus of her core teaching is positive psychology, psychological wellbeing and applied psychology (including positive psychology parenting and positive occupational psychology), and her research interests are around strengths-based approaches to wellbeing and success, hope, compassion, and mattering. Michelle is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, an Associate Fellow and Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (including the Division of Teachers and Researchers), and an International Affiliate Member of the APA. Most recently, Michelle has written and edited a book called "Positive Education at all levels: Learning to Flourish", which is part of the Emerald Positive Psychology in Action series, of which Michelle is also a co-editor. External to the University of Chester, Michelle is a member of the Hummingbird Project research team, working with colleagues from the University of Bolton and the Open University, looking at the impact of positive psychological interventions on the wellbeing of primary and secondary school children. She is also a member of the Editorial Team for the Journal of Mental Health and Social Inclusion, a peer reviewer for several empirical journals and publishers, and an external examiner for PhD students for North West University (Vanderbiljpark campus), South Africa.
Teaching and Supervision
As a Senior Lecturer, Michelle teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in Psychology on a range of modules, including: Research Methods and Skills (PS4005); Core Topics (4010); Power of Parenting and Education (PS5020); Organisational and Work Psychology (PS6006); and the Research Dissertation (PS6001) at yndergraduate Level. At postgraduate level, Michelle also teaches and supervises on several Masters modules, including those related to the Research Dissertation. Michelle is currently Module Leader for Core Topics (PS4010 ) and Psychological Wellbeing (PS4013); and Deputy Programme Leader for the Masters Psychology Conversion.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Having originally completed her PhD on The Effects of Stress Hormones on Memory, Michelle’s key research interests have now taken a strengths-based direction focussing on positive psychology approaches to wellbeing and education (positive education). In particular, her interests include the benefits of positive emotions including hope, compassion and mattering.