Caoimhe Ryan
School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, South St, St Andrews, KY16 9JP ● cr487@st-andrews.ac.uk
Objective
I am dedicated to building an academic career that works towards enhancing understandings of social relations with an
emphasis on the positive aspects of social groups and intergroup phenomena.
Research
2011 - Present PhD Candidate (ESRC funded) ● University of St Andrews
Thesis: 'A mixed methods investigation of arguments for support in anti-deportation campaigns'
I am interested in positive group relations and in how prosocial movements and campaigns generate support for
their cause. My thesis is comprised of a series of qualitative and experimental studies in which I investigate the
social psychological underpinnings and implications of the mobilisation arguments used in anti-deportation
campaigns. My work draws on social identity and social representations perspectives.
Supervisors: Professor Stephen Reicher and Dr Nicole Tausch
Research Assistant ● University of Strathclyde (CSO-funded)
2011-2012
Study: ‘A brief pre-trial pilot study of a postcard intervention to reduce repetition of self-harm’
I was responsible for the everyday management of this study testing the feasibility a self-harm
intervention. This
role involved recruiting and interviewing participants, coordinating with medical staff and collaborators, managing
follow-up testing and all administrative aspects of the project. Our final report was graded ‘Excellent’ by the CSO.
2007 – 2010 Research Assistant ● University of Stirling (CSO- funded)
Study: ‘The role of psychological factors in predicting short-term outcomes following suicidal behaviour’
I managed day-to-day running of this 3-year project aimed at modelling relationships between psychological
factors and suicide risk. I recruited and interviewed over 550 participants, organised a 6-month follow-up
programme, coordinated with medical staff and collaborators, conducted quantitative analyses, produced regular
progress reports, and contributed to publications and our final report which was graded ‘Excellent’ by the CSO.
Publications
Reicher, S., Jogdand, Y., & Ryan, C. (in press). Political participation. In N. Manning, (Ed.) Political
(dis)engagement and the changing nature of the ‘political’. Bristol: Policy Press.
O'Connor, R., Smyth, R., Ferguson, E., Ryan, C., & Williams, J.M.G. (2013). Psychological processes and repeat
suicidal behavior: A four-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81 (6),
1137-1143.
O'Connor, R.C., O'Carroll, R.E., Ryan, C., & Smyth, R. (2012). Self-regulation of unattainable goals in suicide
attempters: A two year prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 142 (1-3), 248-255.
Education
2006 – 2007 MSc Social and Cultural Psychology ● London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Modules: Racism, Multiculture and Resistance (Distinction); Contemporary Social and Cultural Psychology (Merit);
Representations, Institutions and Communities (Merit); Research Design & Advanced Statistics (Merit).
Research Dissertation (Distinction):
‘Social Representations and Social Change: Migration, Resentment, and Acceptance in Ireland’
Six semi-structured focus groups on the subject of immigration and social change were conducted with community
groups ranging from adolescents to senior citizens in Dublin’s South inner city. Thematic analysis was used to
explore the data within a social representations framework.
2001 – 2005 BA (International) Psychology (First Class Honours) ● University College Dublin (UCD)
This four-year degree provided comprehensive coverage of social, biological, developmental, and cognitive
psychology, as well as extensive training in research methods and statistical analysis.
2003 – 2004 International component of BA (above) ● University of Melbourne, Australia
Teaching
2012 – 2014 Demonstrator, Research methods & statistics (2nd year undergraduate) ● University of St Andrews
Recent conference participation
July 2014
Oral presentation
●
EASP General Meeting 2014, Amsterdam
July 2014
Oral presentation
●
ISPP Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Rome
Aug 2012
Oral presentation
●
BPS Social Psychology Section Annual Conference 2012, St Andrews
Recent outreach & volunteering
2013-present English language tutor ● Maryhill Integration Network, Glasgow
Drop-in sessions providing one-to-one ESOL support and lessons for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees
2012
Conference organizer, session chair ● GRAMNet Postgraduate Colloquium 2012
Colloquium: “Migration in times of economic crises”, University of Glasgow