Personal profile
Overview
I am a developmental behavioural psychologist with a strong applied focus and an international outlook.
I have earned my Psychology BSc in London and PhD in Bangor. My teaching is grounded in research. My interests include child development; health and wellbeing; development of evidence-based early interventions; and eating behaviour.
I am presently a Disability, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Tutor for the School.
Teaching and Supervision
I am the module organiser and lecturer on
PPP-4014 Topics in Child Health and Wellbeing postgraduate Masters module
PPP-3015 Psychophysiology of Eating undergraduate Year 3 module
PPP-2012 Developmental Psychology undergraduate Year 2 module
I supervise PhD, Masters, and Undergraduate research projects in several areas of developmental, behavioural, and applied psychology research.
I welcome PhD applications from international students.
Research
My research interests are varied. These are some of the ongoing research projects in my lab.
Poor social support and lifestyle are linked to poor mental health in pregnancy, but these factors have seldom been explored in a culturally sensitive manner. We are presently investigating the experiences of women in Kuwait using qualitative and mixed research methodology. This project is supported by PhD funding provided by Kuwait Ministry of Education to Mona Almutawtah. Collaborators include Dr Hans-Peter Kubis (Bangor) and Emma Campbell (NHS).
In the past five years, we have been exploring determinants of health and wellbeing in 8-11 year old children with Type 1 diabetes and their healthy counterparts in Kuwait. Children with Type 1 diabetes and their families often struggle and can experience poor mental health and lifestyle changes in response to their illness. This was exacerbated under the hardship of the pandemic. This project was supported by PhD funding provided by Kuwait Ministry of Health to Afrah Alazmi. Collaboratior: Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).
In collaboration with Coed Lleol, we have been investigating whether wodland environment activities could support families with pre-school children to make better nutritional choices. This project was supported by KESS II funding for Masters by Research. The research team includes Ramiga Kirupaikkumaran (KESS scholar), Dr Natasha Simons (Coed Lleol), and Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).
My other projects include
Supporting early detection and intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in colleaboration with EDUS (NGO), UNICEF, Dr Nirvana Pistoljevic (Columbia University), and Mr Eldin Dzanko (Technical University of Munich).
In collaboration with Conwy Council school caterers, we have been conducting a series of studies to implement positive changes in dining rooms of local primary schools. This type of intervention may be a cheap alternative to complex interventions and an effective healthy eating maintenance measure that schools can implement themselves. Collaborators on this project include Dr Ellie Marcano-Olivier (Birmingham City University) and Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor).
Teaching children to enjoy eating their fruit and vegetables (Food Dudes) and engaging in physical activity (Dynamic Dudes): I have been especially interested in application of the healtyhy eating interventions in special schools and with children diagnosed with autism. Collaborators include Prof Pauline Horne (Bangor), Dr Simon Viktor (Bangor) and Dr Catherine Sharp (Bristol).
Contact Info
Brigantia 317, Penrallt Rd
Office ext 3107
Mob +44 (0)7984 090803
External positions
International Consultant for healthy eating and physical activity , World Bank Group
1 Jan 2017 → 1 Jun 2019
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
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Bridging the Gap: Evaluating the Efficacy of Low-Intensity Developmental Behavioral Intervention and Parent Education on Skill Acquisition in Children With Developmental Disorders Including Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dzanko, E., Pistoljevic, N. & Erjavec, M., 19 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Cultural attitudes and their impact on social exchanges, self-compassion, and mental health during pregnancy
Al-Mutawtah, M., Erjavec, M. & Kubis, H.-P., 27 Nov 2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 1668929.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Changes in health, lifestyle, and wellbeing of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents during the pandemic
Alazmi, A., Viktor, S. & Erjavec, M., 26 Oct 2024, In: BMC Psychology. 12, 1, 593.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile37 Downloads (Pure) -
Psychological variables and lifestyle in children with type1 diabetes and their parents: A systematic review
Alazmi, A., Boi Bashiru, M., Viktor, S. & Erjavec, M., Jul 2024, In: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 29, 3, p. 1174–1194 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile350 Downloads (Pure) -
Women’s experiences of social support during pregnancy: a qualitative systematic review
Almutawtah, M. E. A. A. H., Campbell, E., Kubis, H.-P. & Erjavec, M., 10 Nov 2023, In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 23, 1, 19 p., 782.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile214 Downloads (Pure)
Impacts
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Food Dudes: Future proofing school-based healthy eating behaviour change interventions for 3-11 year old children at school
Horne, P. (Participant), Erjavec, M. (Participant), Viktor, S. (Participant), Lowe, C. (Participant), Doody, M. (Participant), Hardman, C. (Participant) & Tapper, K. (Participant)
Impact: Health/Quality of life, Societal
Projects
- 2 Finished
Thesis
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Determinants of gestural imitation in young children
Erjavec, M. (Author), Horne, P. (Supervisor) & Lowe, C. (Supervisor), 2002Student thesis: Doctor of Philosophy
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