Personal profile
Overview
John is a behavioural psychologist with a research focus on the interface between cognition and emotion, particular with respect to health promotion and illness prevention. He is interested in how motivational signals are generated, how they interact with ongoing cognitive processes and how this affects behaviour. The integration of dual-process theory with contemporary approaches to behaviour (such as COM-B) is of particular interest. His research interests include: the influence of motivational states on cognitive processes such as attention, memory and decision-making; the effect of positive emotional states on cognition; the role and nature of stimulus-induced behaviours (including motivational arousal and craving in addictive behaviours). John is the Director of the Wales Centre for Behaviour Change and collaborates with the Public Health Wales Behavioural Science Unit.
John is a member of the Clinical, Health, & Behavioural Psychology and Social Neuroscience research groups.
Contact Info
Professor of Behavioural Psychology
School of Psychology and Sport Science
Department of Psychology
Brigantia Building
Penrallt Road
Gwynedd LL57 2AS
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
Other
Qualifications
PhD University of Cambridge
BA (Hons) Durham University
Grant Awards and Projects
APPLIED LEARNING FOR PREVENTATIVE HEALTH ACADEMY (ALPHAcademy)
Welsh Government Intensive Learning Academy based at Bangor University
Initial budget of £1.2m including teaching and research elements. Funding period 2021-2025.
Further website details here.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Self-funded (inc. agency-funded) projects:
I welcome informal enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in projects related to health-related behavioural science. In particular, behaviour change and motivation - understanding what behaviour change techniques work in specific sitatuations (e.g. healthy lifestyle). A specific focus on health and food - how do we change behaviour to promote sustainable and future-proofed diets and lifestyles.
Please submit a draft research proposal (1-2 pages) to the above email address.
Funded projects:
Studentship opportunities within the school can be found at https://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentfinance/postgraduate/funding#psychology
Keywords
- BF Psychology
- Behaviour Change
- RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
- Health promotion
- Illness prevention
- Resilience
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Financial and wider economic analysis of the impact of overweight and obesity on Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Roberts, S., Davies, J., Edwards, R. T., Tenbrink, T. & Parkinson, J., 1 May 2025, (Unpublished)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Integrating Systems Thinking and Behavioural Science
Parkinson, J. A., Gould, A., Knowles, N., West, J. & Goodman, A. M., 21 Mar 2025, In: Behavioral Science. 15, 4Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile149 Downloads (Pure) -
Preventative behavioural interventions that reduce health inequities: a systematic review using the theoretical domains framework
Pisavadia, K., Edwards, R. T., Davies, C. T., Gould, A. & Parkinson, J., 23 May 2025, In: BMC Public Health. 25, 1905.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile50 Downloads (Pure) -
Promoting Behavioral Change to Improve Health Outcomes
Parkinson, J. A., 25 Mar 2025, In: Behavioral Science. 15, 4, 417.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Closing the Gap: How Psychological Distance Influences Willingness to Engage in Risky COVID Behavior
Williams, C., Rauwolf, P., Boulter, M. & Parkinson, J. A., 27 May 2024, In: Behavioral Sciences. 14, 6, 449.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile34 Downloads (Pure)
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A collaborative evaluation of the Behaviourally Informed Communications Initiative 2.0 (BICI 2.0)
Parkinson, J. (PI)
1/12/25 → 15/04/26
Project: Research
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PHW RFQ RA346311 Insight Study into factors affecting engagement with hypertension services
Parkinson, J. (PI)
11/12/24 → 31/03/26
Project: Research
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Skills & Innovation voucher scheme - Science & Engineering Applications Ltd - Maxi
Parkinson, J. (PI)
1/07/24 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
Activities
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The Runners High: Why Training for a Marathon Makes You a Better Person
Lira Calabrich, S. (Organiser) & Parkinson, J. (Speaker)
9 Apr 2025Activity: Other › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Transdisciplinarity, climate change and future roles for health economists
Roberts, S. (Speaker), Edwards, R. T. (Speaker) & Parkinson, J. (Speaker)
9 Jan 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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BU-IIA Funded Project: Covid-19’s transition to endemicity in Wales and Kentucky
Saville, C. (Contributor), Parkinson, J. (Contributor) & Mann, R. (Contributor)
1 Apr 2022 → 31 Mar 2023Activity: Other