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
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).
Understanding sleep and mental health: an online survey and daily life tracking study with wearable devices
Information about the study: We're exploring how sleep and heart circadian rhythms, and mental health interact in daily life. To start, you'll complete a 40-minute online survey about your sleep, mental health, and physical activity. If eligible, you'll be invited to take part in a 4-week tracking study, where you can choose to wear one or more wearable devices during your everyday life - a Garmin smartwatch, a small ECG, and/or a light sensor necklace. You'll also complete two short daily surveys on your phone each day. Depending on which devices you choose, you'll receive £105-£175 for taking part. Your contribution will help us better understand how our sleep patterns, heart rhythms, and mental health influence each other from day to day.
Eligibility for taking part
- Survey: Open to everyone.
- Tracking study: Open to young adults aged 18-25 who:
Have a smartphone and access to WiFi
Do not take heart medication
Do not have a pacemaker
How do participants take part and who should they contact?
If you have any questions, please email the RESTEDScience team.
Ethical approval
This project has been reviewed by the Psychology Research Ethics Sub-committee at the University of Essex (Reference number. ETH2425-1798. Date of approval: 14/07/2025).
Data collection period
Ends May 2026
