Dr Laura Oxley, Bowland Research Fellow, Department of Education

Her research interests are in mental health in childhood and schools, with a focus on childhood conduct problems and teacher wellbeing in her current study.

Our 60-second interview with Laura:

Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?

For my fellowship study, I am exploring teachers’ experiences of working with students with conduct problems and callous-unemotional (CU) traits. I am interested in finding out about the potential impact of these experiences on teachers’ wellbeing, and identifying the most effective strategies for supporting teachers in these situations.

What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?

One of the things I enjoy most about my research is collaborating with teachers and other study participants. It is a privilege to work with these educational practitioners, and I value the opportunity to ensure their voices are heard in educational research.

What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?

I think one challenge in research is making sure that study findings are disseminated in an accessible and engaging manner. One of the ways I have tried to overcome this challenge is by using visual methods, such as comics and animations, to share findings with a wider audience.

What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?

I hope that my work will help to identify ways in which teachers can be more effectively supported when working with students who exhibit conduct problems and CU traits.

Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?

Take time for activities that you enjoy doing outside of work. For example, I enjoy going swimming and try to make time to do this each week.