Research participation: Current opportunities
Current studies are listed below. There is an associated email list and Essex users can register on the "participants" list.
If you are not a member of staff or a student at the University of Essex and wish to be added to the email list please contact us.
If you are a researcher seeking participants and you would like to advertise your study on this page, please complete the request form and send it to reo-governance@essex.ac.uk.
Take part in a research project
Testing elements of gamification of the Understanding Society Youth Panel Questionnaire
Information about the study
One of the biggest challenges to collecting data is recruiting and retaining participants, this is especially true for young people. We would like your child’s expert opinion on how we can encourage young people to participate in surveys and whether inclusion of gaming elements may be one way to increase participation. Gaming elements can range from inclusion of emojis or photos to including simple games or rewards for answering certain questions to developing avatars and worlds through which participants travel. The primary objective of this project is to better understand how different gaming elements may improve survey participation amongst young people and what, if any, impact the gaming elements may have on how young participants answer questions. You will be involved in the first step of this project by participating in workshops that will explore motivations for participating in surveys, the types of gaming elements that could be included in surveys to increase their enjoyment of participating, and to discuss how certain gaming elements may influence how young people might answer certain types of questions.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
- Young people between the ages of 10-15
- Parents/guardians/caregivers are able to provide informed consent
- Child must be able to speak English
- Child has access to a device with a webcam for the workshop
What the participants have to do?
If your child takes part in this study, they will participate in an online workshop with 5 other young people of similar ages to discuss gamification and design gamification activities for a survey. The workshop will take about 1 hour to complete and they will receive £20 for participating.
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
If you are interested in your child participating please contact Pedram Allah Veysi.
Funding
ESRC (externally funded) - Grant Number: ES/Y003071/1
Ethical approval
This study has been approved by the University of Essex Ethics Committee, ERAMS Reference ETH2526-0118.
Data collection period
Data will be collected through August 2026.
Develop novel and holistic assessment to enable evidencing of the success of Simply Stride’s innovative movement-based well-being intervention
Information about the study
Simply Stride have been running a successful, unique walking programme. The programme improves walking posture by combining yoga, pilates and mindset techniques into a single walk-based training. Practitioners of this programme apply this training daily to achieve sustainable physical and mental wellbeing. As the programme directly targets both physical and mental well-being we want to evidence and provide data on whether well-being, vocal and movement-based outcome measures show change across a 4-week session of the Simply Stride programme.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
People who are aged between 30-60, able to complete a 1- hour walking programme, do not have a musculoskeletal or neurological condition or a diagnosed speech disorder, and have not had any injuries in your lower limbs in the last 6 months.
What the participants have to do?
Participants will be randomly assigned either to the Simply Stride walking programme or to a control group. Those in the walking programme will attend two 1‑hour walking sessions each week at Saltwater Café in Chalkwell across specific Wednesday and Saturday dates in September and early October. Control group participants will not take part in walking sessions during the study but will complete the same assessments at the start and end, and will be offered the walking programme later in November and early December. All participants will attend the Human Movement Lab at the University of Essex before and after the 4‑week period to complete questionnaires on health and well‑being, a vocal assessment using a small microphone, and a series of balance, walking and heart‑rate assessments. These include wearing heart‑rate leads, performing balance tasks on a force plate, and completing walking and daily‑living movement tasks while retroreflective markers are attached to specific body landmarks. Each movement task is repeated several times, with rest provided as needed. For each assessment at the University of Essex you will be offered £25 per visit for your time at the assessment. We will also offer travel reimbursement costs for up to £55 per visit. Each assessment session lasts around two hours, and all data will be collected by Mahbi Razavi.
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
Your data will be collected by Mahbi Razavi on the day. For any further questions, please contact Mahbi
This study is being funded by the University of Essex Innovation Fund (RCP20131)
Ethical approval
The project underwent ethical review (reference ETH2526-0955) and a favourable ethical opinion by the University of Essex Ethics Committee was received.
Data collection period
8 September for the first round and 18 October for the second round of data collection.
Evaluating an Online Self-Help Program Combining Education and Self-Compassion for People with Psoriasis
Information about the study
This study is being conducted as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and aims to evaluate a new online self-guided programme designed to support people living with psoriasis. The programme combines self-compassion approaches, psoriasis education, and practical psychological skills and tools to support emotional wellbeing. Psoriasis can affect more than just physical health, and this study aims to explore whether this type of support may be helpful for people living with the condition.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
- Be aged 18 years or over.
- Have a diagnosis of psoriasis for at least a year.
- Be able to read and understand English sufficiently to complete the study materials.
- Have access to the internet and a device capable of accessing the online programme and questionnaires.
- Be willing to complete the programme and study questionnaires over the study period.
What the participants have to do?
Participants will be asked to:
- Complete five online self-guided sessions over a period of five weeks (each session takes approximately 30 minutes).
- Complete questionnaires before starting the programme, immediately after completing it, and four weeks after the programme has finished.
- Provide feedback about their experiences of taking part to help improve support for people living with psoriasis in the future.
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
In order to take part, participants can contact the lead researcher Abbey Hackman.
Ethical approval
This study has been granted ethical approval at Royal Holloway University, reference ID: 916
Data collection period
Data collection ends on the 1st December 2026
What makes clinical supervision identity affirming? Perspectives from gender diverse psychology professionals.
Information about the study
This research study aims to explore the experiences of gender diverse psychology professionals in clinical supervision. Before deciding whether to take part, it’s important to understand the purpose of the study and what it involves. Please read this information carefully. If anything is unclear or if you need more information, contact the main researcher.
If you choose to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason. You will not be penalised for this and will not lose out on any benefits gained for taking part (e.g. gift vouchers).
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
Psychology professionals, aged 18 years and above, who self-identify as gender diverse are invited to participate in this study. Gender diverse identities encompass a broad range of identities that are not cisgender, including but not limited to transgender people, non-binary people, genderfluid people and genderqueer people.
To participate in this study, you must have received clinical supervision in the UK for at least one year while working in a clinical psychology professional role from any area of psychological work, for example, clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, assistant psychologist, psychological therapist and counsellor. When referring to clinical supervision, we use the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology definition "the formal provision, by approved supervisors, of a relationship-based education and training that is case-focused and which manages, supports, develops and evaluates the work of junior colleagues".
- You are 18 years old or older.
- You identify as gender diverse (e.g., transgender, non-binary, agender, genderqueer etc.).
- You have received clinical supervision for at least one year.
- You received clinical supervision while working in a clinical based/professional psychology role from any area of psychology work.
What the participants have to do?
If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete one interview lasting around 1 hour. The interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. In this interview, the researcher will ask you some questions about your clinical supervision and invite you to share specific examples of good and bad practice and your personal experiences.
Once the data has been analysed, you will be offered the opportunity to take part in a focus group to check the researcher’s interpretation of the results and offer contributions toward the development of a model of affirmative clinical supervision in psychology.
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
You must have access to, and be able to use, Microsoft Teams to participate in this study. If you have no internet access, we would be able to hold a telephone interview as a way to support your participation.
If you are less familiar with this technology, you may want to consider seeking support from others who are able to help. This may include family members or friends. However, please be mindful of confidentiality and privacy issues if enlisting help.
To protect your privacy and ensure confidentiality, you are advised to find a quiet and private space where you are able to share personal information without any interruptions.
For further information please contact: Principal Investigator: Oliver Watts
Research Poster (.pdf)
Funding
This research is being completed at Newcastle University as part of a thesis for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. No external funding is attached to this research.
Ethical approval
This study was approved by the Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Committee, part of Newcastle University’s Research Ethics Committee. This Committee includes members who are internal to the faculty. This study was reviewed by members of the Committee, who must provide impartial advice and avoid significant conflicts of interests.
Data collection period
May 2026 - December 2026
A qualitative study investigating Trainee Clinical Psychologists’ experiences of Wellbeing Support Initiatives currently offered by courses during training
Information about the study
Like many other health professions, clinical psychology training is acknowledged to be academically and emotionally demanding, and there is evidence that trainee clinical psychologists report their wellbeing is significantly impacted during training. This includes issues such as imposter syndrome (feeling like a fraud despite contradictory evidence of accomplishments), which has a high prevalence in clinical psychology trainees.
In response to this, clinical psychology training programmes have recently increased the number of wellbeing support initiatives they provide for their trainees. This has included various provisions such as specialist workshops on topics like ‘imposter syndrome’ and the introduction of regular peer support reflective practice groups across cohorts. However, currently there is limited evidence into trainee clinical psychologists' experiences of these initiatives, and little is known about the impact of these on their wellbeing. Therefore, this study is aiming to investigate how trainees perceive current wellbeing initiatives offered by courses during training, which is essential if courses are to provide beneficial systems of support.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
In order to be the most beneficial, we are asking that participants are:
- Current trainee clinical psychologists.
- Must have experienced at least one wellbeing initiative specifically provided for trainee clinical psychologists by your university.
People will not be able to participate in the research if:
- They are not currently a trainee clinical psychologist.
- They are a trainee clinical psychologist currently training at the University of East Anglia.
- They have not experienced at least one wellbeing initiative provided for trainee clinical psychologists by your university.
However, it is important to note that they would be eligible to participate if they have engaged with an initiative on one single occasion, even if they later decided to withdraw from the support initiative.
Additionally, participants should not share which university they attend with the research team. This ensures that they feel they can be completely honest and open throughout the interview.
What the participants have to do?
After accessing the participant information sheet using the QR code on the research poster, participants will be prompted to complete a consent form and short demographic questionnaire. Once they have provided formal consent and completed the questionnaire, they will be contacted to arrange a convenient date/time to complete an online semi-structured interview with the lead researcher, which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. We will allow up to 1 hour 15 minutes for the total duration of the interview. At the start of the interview, they will be asked to provide some brief information about the wellbeing provisions offered by their training provider. The main part of the interview will then begin. This will involve asking participants about their opinions and experiences of the wellbeing support initiatives currently offered to trainee clinical psychologists on their course. They will be encouraged to speak openly and honestly about their experiences to help ensure a meaningful and productive interview session. As the interview draws to a close, they will be provided with a ‘Participant Debrief Form’ and offered a £10 Love2Shop voucher to thank them for their participation in the study. This can be spent in-store or online. They will be asked if they would like to receive a copy of the completed research paper when it is complete and contact details will be recorded (if required).
Research Poster (.jpg)
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
Participants should use the QR code on the research poster to access the Participant Information Sheet, Consent form and Demographic Questionnaire. Participants will be asked to provide a non-university email address in this questionnaire. Once they have provided formal consent and completed the questionnaire, they will be contacted by the lead researcher to arrange a convenient date/time to complete an online semi-structured interview, which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Contact the lead research Laura Lyden (Trainee Clinical Psychologist, UEA) with any questions.
Funding
This research will form part of the lead researcher’s thesis portfolio for submission to obtain the award of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (ClinPsyD). The lead researcher is a trainee clinical psychologist currently training at the University of East Anglia. The project is funded by the NHS as part of the doctoral training programme.
Ethical approval
This research has been reviewed by multiple research professionals and has been ethically approved by the UEA Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
Current trainee clinical psychologists from the University of East Anglia have also been consulted throughout the planning process to ensure that the questions used to guide the semi-structured interview are appropriate and address the aims of this research project.
Data collection period
The researcher will cease data collection once the required number of participants has been reached (between 8 and 12). The estimated date of completion for this project is currently September 2027.
Exploring the Use of Combined Risk Assessments amongst Mental Health Practitioners
Approved mental health professionals can be responsible for informing assessments which can result in patients being detained under the Mental Health Act. This study aims to explore the ability to categorise different types of risk when presented with a mental health patient in one initial screening. This study categorises risk as risk to self (self-harm and suicide) and risk to others (violence). This study does not intend to replicate the Mental Health Assessment in its entirety, but rather addresses the much broader topic of risk decision-making.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
Eligibility:
- Aged over 18
- Classified as an Advanced Mental Health Professional, which includes but is not exclusive to Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, Mental Health Social Workers, and Mental Health Occupational therapists (Trainees in these Professions are also eligible).
- UK-based with a fluent understanding of English
What the participants have to do
This study uses Artificial Intelligence to create a video simulation of a mental health patient, which participant will view, alongside a written vignette. After each vignette a questionnaire will be presented for participant to assess risk as part of the research task. If you decide to take part in this study, you will be involved in it for up to 20 minutes for your completion of the full study.
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
Participants can access the study online.
If you have any questions, contact the Lead Researcher.
Funding
This study has received sponsorship from the University of Hertfordshire
Ethical approval
University of Hertfordshire sponsorship of your research project following approval of the substantial amendment (amendment 2) by the relevant UH Ethics Committee with Delegated Authority (ECDA) 0733-Sa-HSET-2025.
HRA and HCRW Approval given with the IRAS Project ID number – 357392.
Amendment No./Sponsor Ref: 0733 Sa 2
Data collection period
February 2026, or until the maximum participant number has been reached.
Multidomain Evaluation and Data-driven Approaches to Predict Recurrent Neck Pain (END-RNP)
Research has shown that neck movement, muscle activity, sensation, and psychosocial factors are affected in people with neck pain. What is not known, is whether these changes are also present in people with recurrent neck pain even during the period of recovery (remission), and if these ongoing alterations lead to recurrence of neck pain. Therefore, the main purpose of the study is to investigate neck muscle activity, movement, sensation, and psychosocial factors in people with recurrent neck pain, compare the data with pain-free volunteers, and then follow-up people in remission from neck pain over time to understand whether any features can predict the recurrence of neck pain. Also, we will look at how the development of new neck pain episodes is related to changes in behavioural and environmental factors, such as work-related characteristics, physical activity, psychosocial function, and sleep quality.
Eligibility/criteria for taking part
You can participate if you meet the following criteria:
- Age between 18 and 70 years.
- Experience of two or more episodes of NP (lasting more than 24 hours) separated by periods of remission (30 days or more) during the previous 12 months.
- Episodes of neck pain with intensity that required treatment (e.g., from a healthcare professional or painkillers) or limited your function (average intensity greater or equal to 2 out of 10, with 10 being the worst pain you can imagine and 0 no pain).
- Neck pain-free over the last 30 days.
You must also not have any of the following:
- Previous shoulder or spinal surgery.
- History of neck trauma e.g., whiplash injury.
- Cervical radiculopathy.
- Previous fracture in the neck or shoulder region.
- Spinal deformity.
- Neurological or cardiovascular disorders.
- Rheumatic joint disease.
- Current pregnancy.
- Currently receiving treatment of neck pain from the NHS.
- Contraindications to exercise.
What the participants will have to do?
After you sign the online consent form, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., history of neck pain, contraindication to exercise, and conditions listed above). Once a researcher has reviewed your answers and confirmed your eligibility, they will invite you to attend the laboratory session. The experiment will take place in a laboratory at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham OR at the School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex based on what site is more convenient for you.
You will be asked to attend one data collection session, taking approximately 2 hours. This session can be organised at a time that will suit you. During this session, we will ask you to complete a series of questionnaires related to psychological factors like stress, anxiety and fear of pain.
We will then test your pain sensitivity, and to do this we will apply pressure over points on your neck and your leg and will ask you to tell us as soon as you feel pain. Then an inflatable pressure cuff will be mounted on your non-dominant arm. The cuff will be inflated and you shall indicate when you first detect pain. The pressure will then continue to be increased until your tolerance limit, this cuff pressure will be recorded and the cuff will be immediately deflated. The same procedure will then be repeated on your dominant arm.
We will then analyse your neck movements while sitting using a sensor placed on your forehead and back of your neck.
We will then use a technique called “surface electromyography” where we will place sensors on your skin to record the activity of your neck muscles and we will ask you to perform a series of maximum and submaximal contractions of your neck muscles. This will also include contractions of your neck muscles where we ask you to hold the contractions as long as you can so that we can test your neck muscle endurance.
We will ask you to bring a singlet or sports bra for this session in order to perform movements in a comfortable way. For your comfort, you can request in advance a researcher of the same sex or gender to conduct the experimental session. This includes procedures like placing sensors on your skin (neck region) and preparing you for each test.
Furthermore, over the course of 12 months, we will ask you to fill out and submit an additional electronic questionnaire every two weeks. We will use it to collect data about the recurrence of painful episodes (Part-A) and other behavioural and environmental factors (Part-B) related to your physical activity, job environment, psychosocial condition, and sleep quality. The first two reminders will be sent via email, and the final reminder will be a telephone call from a researcher on our team.
If you experience a repeated episode of pain during this 12-month timeframe, we will invite you to attend the laboratory again for a 2-hour session to repeat the exact same measures taken at the baseline session. This is optional and you can decide whether or not you would like to participate for these additional measures.
How to participate and who should they contact?
If anyone would like to participate, they can contact Mr Benjamin Butler for more information.
Funding
The University of Birmingham is the sponsor for this study based in the United Kingdom. The Medical Research Council (MRC) is kindly funding this research.
There is no cost for this study, but you will be compensated £20 for attending the laboratory session in the form of an Amazon gift voucher. Moreover, you will receive an additional £10 for every two follow-up questionnaires completed. This compensation will also be in the form of electronic Amazon vouchers.
Ethical approval
Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the University of Essex Research Ethics Committee (Reference: ETH2526-0098).
