Research
RAE 2008 - the results
See how our psychology research scored in the Research and Assessment Exercise 2008.
Psychology Research Information
The University of Hertfordshire School of Psychology has consistently gained high research ratings during national research assessment exercises (RAE) and was awarded a grade 4 in the 2001 assessment. This was one of the highest ratings achieved by Psychology at a new University and the School of Psychology maintained its strong position in the 2008 exercise.
The University has had a commitment to supporting research in Psychology and in maintaining excellent standards in teaching and research. The School continues to strive for research excellence of a high, international standard and to engage actively in knowledge transfer activities with our partner organizations.
RAE 2008
In the 2008 RAE results were compiled as a quality profile identifying the proportion of research activity reaching each quality level, from 4* (World leading) to Unclassified. The School of Psychology did not receive any Unclassified ratings in RAE 2008 and a significant proportion of its research outputs were rated as ‘’world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in terms of originality, significance and rigour. The University of Hertfordshire rose up the rankings in the Times Higher Education Table of Excellence, moving from 93rd place in 2001 up to 58th in 2008. Read more about the University of Hertfordshire and the RAE here.
Research interests
See a list of Research interests for School staff.
Research Leader
Prof Keith Laws
tel +44 (0) 1707 281137
Enquiries
MSc enquiries
PhD enquiries
Research groups
The School contains the following research groupings (follow the links for more information and membership of the groups):
- Applied and Practice-based Research
- Development and Language
- Learning, Memory and Thinking
- Neuropsychology and Behavioural Neuroscience
The Centre for Lifespan and Chronic Illness Research (CLiCIR)
The CLiCIR is engaged in a number of research projects in collboration with NHS partners, covering topics such as rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure, cancer and mental health. CLiCIR also hosts the East of England Research Design Service , Hertfordshire. Funded by the NIHR, the RDS provides expert methological and statistical support to researchers within the NHS.
The Dance Psychology Lab
The Dance Psychology Lab carries out research in four broad areas as it relates to the psychology of dance and dancers.
Health & Dance
We are interested in the role played by recreational dance in improving health and well-being in different populations. For example, in people with Parkinson’s disease, people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people at risk of cardio-vascular disease.
Thinking & Dance
We are interested in the link between dance and problem solving. We have observed that dancing in different ways either facilitates or inhibits certain types of problem solving, which may have an impact on the way people learn a wide range of material.
Hormones & Dance
We are interested in the link between people’s hormonal and genetic make up and they way they move in social situations. Dance is thought to play a role in the mate-selection process and we are keen to understand this from a scientific perspective.
Self-Esteem & Dance Confidence
We have collected a large amount of data on self-esteem and dance confidence. We are interested to understand how the self-esteem of vocational dancers differs to that of non-dancers and how dance-related self-esteem, or Dance Confidence, changes across the lifespan.
More about the Psy Facilities, laboratories, networks etc. available for research.
