Karen Eaton-Thomas

Background

Karen Joined UWTSD in 2012, initially teaching primarily on the Carmarthen campus before progressing to teaching on both the Carmarthen and Swansea SA1 campus. Currently, Karen is based on the SA1 campus, but continues to contribute towards some of the teaching on the Carmarthen campus.

Her work interests mainly focus around the mental health and well-being of specific populations, particularly those who may be vulnerable to stigmatisation or marginalisation. Karen has 25 years of teaching experience, both at FE level and within the Higher Education arena. Prior to her teaching career, Karen worked for Adult and Children`s services within her Local Authority.

Specialist Subjects

Adult Mental Health and Psychopathology
Children and Young People`s Mental Health
Mental Health and Stigma
Forensic Psychology

Professional and/or Research Experience

Originally from a background in Social Services, Karen made a decision to pursue a teaching career whilst completing post-graduate study at Swansea University. She was fortunate to become involved as a research assistant for a funded project in collaboration with Bangor University and the Welsh Government, focusing on developing appropriate assessment tools for bilingual children in Wales who identified as having Additional Learning Needs (ALN). From this Karen secured employment in FE provision, teaching A Level Psychology and Access to HE courses at a local college for 13 years, before moving into the HE sector as a Psychology lecturer for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Karen also currently manages the BSc Mental Health programme on the SA1 campus. Her recent research interests focus upon the psychological challenges faced by marginalised individuals when seeking access to educational provision within Wales.

Qualifications

BSc Behavioural Sciences
PGCE Post Compulsory Education
MSc Social and Health Psychology

Languages Spoken

English

Professional Membership or Roles

Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FEA)