Sue Sherman

Biography

I joined the School in September 2005 having been a lecturer at the University of Sheffield (Department of Human Communication Sciences) and the University of Kent (Psychology Department). I have a multidisciplinary background (BSc (Hons) in Computational Linguistics, MA in Psycholinguistics, PhD in Cognitive Psychology).

I have two current areas of research:

1. Exploring barriers and facilitators to engagement with cervical screening and HPV vaccination with a focus on knowledge and attitudes
2. Factors affecting vaccine decision making, with a current focus on COVID-19 vaccination in addition to HPV vaccination

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. 

Research and scholarship

Cervical cancer and HPV

I am interested in the psychological impact of issues surrounding cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV). I am also interested in the public awareness of and understanding about HPV which causes a range of cancers. I have recently had funding from the North Staffordshire Medical Institute to explore the psychological distress caused to women with cervical cancer by discovering that their smear history included a misread smear. Most recently I have received funding from the Wellcome Trust to explore issues around the male HPV vaccination. For further information on my HPV and cervical screening research please visit: https://www.keele.ac.uk/hpv-vac/ 

• 'Cervical cancer can affect all women, not just the young' | BBC

Factors affecting vaccine decision making

I am increasingly interested in the psych-social processes involved in vaccine decision making process for other vaccines in addition to HPV vaccination. In addition to HPV vaccination I am also interested in COVID, influenza and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. I am also planning work around metacognitive factors. 

Supervising projects

I would be happy to hear from undergraduate or postgraduate students who might be interested in exploring one of the topics listed above.

I am also a member of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS), Experimental Psychology Society (EPS), and the Psychonomic Society.

Teaching

I am committed to my teaching practice and to supporting students and in 2012, 2013, 2015. 2017, 2018 students nominated me for a Teaching Excellence Award. In 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 I was nominated for a Student-Led Teaching Award. In 2007 I became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and in 2013 I successfully applied to become a Senior Fellow (SFHEA). 

I am presented in the Palgrave Macmillan 'Psychology and me' series on Youtube and talk about my background, research and psychology in general.  The video is referenced in the following book:

• Schacter, D., Gilber, D., Wegner, D. & Hood, B. (2015) Psychology,Second European Edition. Palgrave Macmillan.

I use a wide range of teaching and assessment methods and contribute to a variety of modules including:

Year 3

• PSY30077 Health Psychology (module leader and lecturer)
• PSY30061 Final Year Project

Masters

• PSY40083 Using Research to Influence Policy and Practice (module leader and lecturer)
• PSY40081 Advanced Studies in Health Inequalities (lecturer)
• PSY40095 Advanced Research Skills, Design and Analysis (lecturer)
• PSY-40109 Approaches and Methods in Health Inequalities (lecturer)

In addition to formal teaching activities, I am also keen to give students hands-on research experience and I have received two grants to facilitate this:

• 2011 - British Psychological Society, £1600 to support Katie Wright-Bevans to investigate ‘False Memories for Television Adverts’. (1 of 10 awards across the UK)
• 2008 - Nuffield Undergraduate Research Bursary URB/35596, £1400 to support Emily Moran to investigate ‘False Memory for Brand Names’.

If any current 2nd year students would be interested in such an opportunity, do get in touch to discuss your ideas.

As well as teaching at Keele, I was also lucky enough to spend time teaching at Umea University in Sweden as a Visting Fellow in May 2012.

Further information

Roles

• Chair of the University Central Research Ethics Committee
• Postgraduate Research Lead
• Research Group Leader (Health and Well-being Research Group)
• REF Impact Lead
• School Project Ethics Committee lead

Book an appointment

Please email me or book an appointment here: https://tinyurl.com/SueShermanAppointments