oux20a@bangor.ac.uk

I am a Psychology Postgraduate Researcher focusing on 'interoception' and mental health.  Interoception refers to the internal sense of our bodies (i.e. respiratory, cardiac, gastric, emotional sensations) and occurs automatically as an unconscious aspect of maintaining homeostasis.  However, aspects of interoception can also enter our conscious awareness when we notice internal sensations such as pain, hunger, heart rate, fatigue and physical manifestations of emotional states.  Research suggests that people have different levels of interoception and interoceptive awareness depending on their life experiences. This has relevance when considering how therapeutic interventions can be developed for different demographics. 

My current research project focuses on how attending to the body during and after physical activities effects interoception, utilising physiological, behavioural and psychometric measures, including EEG methods.  This project is supervised by Dr Lara Maister and is further supported by Dr Andrew Cooke and Dr Germano Galliccio via an internship collaboration funded by HEFCW. 

My intention is to contribute to the field of research developing interoceptive awareness interventions, to help manage (or even re-associate) unpleasant bodily symptoms of mental health disorders, i.e. anxiety, depression, PTSD.  Predictive coding theories of interoception and principles of interoceptive exposure are a key focus.

Previous research projects have included developing a curriculum of Interoceptive Awareness Opportunities for use within Outdoor Education for children with a history of complex trauma.  This project was supervised by Dr Lara Maister and Dr Dawn Wimpory.  [Commissioned and funded by Afon Goch Children's Homes Ltd.] 

I enjoy outdoor activities, exercise, yoga and meditation. These interests have been a source of personal inspiration for research relating to interoception, for instance how physical exercise and somatic self-awareness can be utilised to benefit mental health.

Received internship grant from Higher Education Council for Wales to run the project "Can attentional focus and physical exertion affect interoception?"

Received British Psychological Society Beatrice Egdell Prize to fund my attendance at the International Adventure Therapy Conference.