Professor of Behavioural Psychology

School of Psychology and Sport Science

Department of Psychology
Brigantia Building
Penrallt Road
Gwynedd LL57 2AS
United Kingdom

Email: j.parkinson@bangor.ac.uk

Qualifications

PhD University of Cambridge

BA (Hons) Durham University

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.

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.

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