Dr Beth Bell

Profile

Biography

I joined the University of York as a Lecturer in Mental Health and Wellbeing in August 2021. My research adopts a mixed-methods interdisciplinary lens to understanding the risks and opportunities afforded by digital technologies in relation to youth wellbeing and mental health.

I gained my PhD in Psychology from the University of Sussex in 2012. I subsequently pursued interdisciplinary postdoctoral research at Bangor University and Northumbria University, where I was involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of psychological interventions. Most recently, I worked as a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Psychology at York St John University (2014-21).

Research

Overview

My research expertise lies in youth wellbeing and mental health in the digital age. More specifically, I adopt a mixed-methods interdisciplinary approach to understanding the risks and opportunities afforded by digital media and technologies in relation to youth wellbeing and mental health, focusing on body image, self-harm, and disordered eating/exercise. A second strand of my research involves the co-design, development and evaluation of psychological interventions delivered in educational and technological settings.

Research group(s)

• Psychology in Education Research Centre (PERC)

Grants

My research has received funding from UK research councils (e.g., EPSRC, NIHR), local authorities (e.g., City of York Council) and third sector organisations (e.g., Mind).

Supervision

I welcome postgraduate research supervision proposals and applications for research visits in my research areas. Masters and PhD students with interests in qualitative, mixed-methods and interdisciplinary research, are particularly welcome.

External activities

Overview

I am a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (since 2011), where I am currently conference lead for the Cyberpsychology Section (since 2021). I am also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2019; formerly Fellow 2010-18).

I am passionate about public engagement. I have provided expert testimony for NICE public health guidelines, contributed to all-party-parliamentary-groups, given on- and off- screen consultation for various TV and radio programmes (e.g. The Truth About..., BBC One), delivered invited talks for a range of audiences (e.g., Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) and written translational research articles for lay audiences (e.g., The Conversation).