Dr Jane Williams CPsychol, FHEA, PhD, MSc, BSc

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE, 2023

PG Cert in Teaching in Higher Education, University of Bedfordshire, 2023

PhD in Sport and Health Psychology: Investigating the role of sport and physical activity to support young people who have been parentally bereaved, University of Bedfordshire, 2021

MSc in Psychology of Sport, University of Stirling, 2015

BSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Abertay University, 2014

My academic journey began with a focus on sport psychology—I completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in this area, which sparked a passion for how physical activity can support with mental health.

I went on to complete my PhD in Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire in 2021. My research explored how physical activity can support people coping with bereavement, particularly looking at behavioural strategies that promote resilience and wellbeing. This work deepened my interest in health psychology and continues to shape my teaching and research.

Before moving into my current role, I worked as a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire and also spent time as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. These roles gave me valuable experience in both academic teaching and applied research, especially in multi-disciplinary projects focused on behavioural health.

My research interests sit at the intersection of sport and health psychology, with a particular focus on bereavement, physical activity, and behaviour change. I’m passionate about exploring how psychological theory can be translated into practical tools that support wellbeing, and I enjoy working on projects that bring together academic insight with real-world impact.

UG:

Social and Cognitive Development

Lifespan B: Social Psychology of the person

• I’m interested in health psychology topics, especially around wellbeing, resilience, and how people adapt to life’s challenges.
• I’d be happy to supervise projects in sport psychology—anything from performance and motivation to the mental health benefits of physical activity.
• I’m also keen on behaviour change research, particularly using the Behaviour Change Wheel (COM-B) to explore how we can support healthier habits.
• I welcome projects that explore bereavement, grief, and death, including experiences of pregnancy loss, especially those looking at how people cope, adapt, and find meaning during difficult times

• [Ongoing] The SunFLower Project: A study informed by those with lived experience of early pregnancy loss. This study seeks to identify priorities in improving care and follow-up support for people who have experienced trimester one pregnancy loss, from the perspective of individuals who experience miscarriage, their partners, and those who provide their care.
• [Ongoing]  From Stables to Strategy: Establishing Ways to Integrate Equestrianism into Green Social Prescribing: Working with key stakeholders to explore how equestrian activities can be integrated into green social prescribing. The aim is to develop a practical pathway that supports mental health and wellbeing through nature-based, therapeutic engagement with horses.
• The Greater Games Study. The Football Association (FA). December 2022- July 2023 
• CCTC Study (Care leavers, Covid-19 and the transition from Care): December 2021 – June 2022.