Avin Mirawdeli

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Keele University and Programme Lead for the MSc Applied Child Psychology. My academic career spans appointments at Keele University, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), and London South Bank University (LSBU), where I contributed to teaching and research across a range of areas within psychology and developmental science.

Following the completion of my doctoral studies, I undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge. I hold a PhD in Experimental Psychology, an MSc in Neuroscience, Language and Communication from UCL, and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Surrey.

I am a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Research and scholarship

My research combines behavioural and quasi-experimental methods to examine factors that shape children's development and everyday experiences. I am particularly interested in producing research with practical relevance for educators, clinicians, families, and policymakers. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, my work seeks to bridge theory and practice in areas relating to child development, communication, and emerging technologies.

Research topics:

• Speech, language and Communication Needs (SLCNs) in children
• The use of AI and technoference in the lives of parents and children
• The impact of AI on conducting academic work
• Intergenerational Trauma

I am a member of the Keele Cognition, Brain, & Behaviour Research Group.

Teaching

I am the programme Lead for MSc Applied Child Psychology [if possible, please link to the programme site, thank you!]

I am the module leader for the following:

• Year 1 BSc psychology: PSY-10052- Understanding People
• Year 2 BSc Psychology: PSY-20058- Child Psychology in Practice
• MSc Applied Child Psychology: PSY40181- Application and Theory in Child Psychology

I am a teaching member on the following modules:

• Year 1 BSc Psychology: PSY-10054- Exploring and Applying
• Year 2 BSc Psychology: PSY-20076- Understanding People in Depth
• Year 3 BSc Psychology: PSY-30140- Grand Challenges in Psychology
• Year 3 BSc Psychology: PSY-301406- Cognitive Development
• MSc: PSY-4-183- Using Evidence-Based Approaches to Change Practice Across the Lifespan

I also supervise dissertation students on the MSc, BSc and Conversion programmes.

Supervision

Postgraduate research supervision:
I am open to new supervisions in the areas of Speech and Language disorders in children, Parent and child trauma and intergenerational trauma, AI and Technoference with children and parents.

I am currently involved in the following supervisions at doctoral level:

• Christopher Richardson, “An Intervention Promoting State Disinhibition to Improve Speech Fluency”, Keele University.
• Natasha Bradley, “The link between grievability and selective compassion”, Keele University.

PG taught supervision:
I also supervise MSc and UG dissertation students on annual basis.

External PGR examinations:
I have been a PhD external examiner at the University of Sheffield.

Collaborations and grants awards

2019-2023 ESRC
A Mirawdeli (PI), to investigate “Assessing speech difficulties in children ages 4-6 years, using an App.”
Total £289,814.
(extended due to Covid-19 restriction)

2019-2023 Dominic Barker Trust
A Mirawdeli (PI), to investigate “Assessing speech difficulties in children ages 4-6 years, using an App.”
Total £30,000.

2018-2019 Isaac Newton Trust
A Mirawdeli (PI), to investigate “Screening 4–6-year-old children for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCNs).”
Co-I = Dr Jenny Gibson, University of Cambridge
Total £55,752.

2017-2019 Dominic Barker Trust
A Mirawdeli (PI), to investigate “Assessing the reliability of screening Reception Class and year 1 children with a first-screen non-clinical test.”
Co-I = Dr Jenny Gibson and Professor Napoleon Katsos, University of Cambridge.
Total £110,356.

2012-2016 UCL IMPACT Fund
A Mirawdeli (PhD Stipend), to investigate “Assessing speech fluency in typically developing 4–5-year-old children.”
Total £32,535.

2012-2016 Dominic Barker Trust
A Mirawdeli (PhD Stipend), to investigate “Assessing speech fluency in typically developing 4–5-year-old children.”
Total £32,535.