Christie Marsh studied her BSc and her MSc at Kent before going onto work on her PhD and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the School. So what is it about the University and the school specifically that has kept her here?
Christie Marsh‘s research focuses on positive leadership. More specifically, the influence of positive leadership on employee wellbeing, and the mediating role of social identification in this association. Christie is also interested in comparing the influence of positive leadership to other leadership styles. She studied her BSc here and then her MSc before going onto work on a PhD and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the School.
What is your most memorable aspect of your BSc or MSc studies at Kent prior to becoming a lecturer?
The most memorable aspect of my studies at Kent before becoming a lecturer is the people who I have met. My university student experience was filled with helpful, supportive people and the amazing chance to learn and develop my understanding of Psychology from experts in the field.
What new developments are there in organisational psychology that interest you?
The impact of COVID on the workplace has led to several new developments in understanding the world of work. My research is focused on investigating the impact of positive leadership on employee wellbeing. These new developments have led to key changes in the way people work, the way organisations view employee wellbeing, as well as the interactions between leaders and their employees which all have an interesting impact on my field of research.
What makes you proud to work at your School?
The School of Psychology at Kent is a very supportive and collegiate environment. I have been here for 8 and a half years throughout my own studies and as a new lecturer and the helpful, friendly atmosphere makes me proud to work here. We have a great community where staff and students interact at both academic and social events throughout the year and the School really benefits from student involvement and feedback.
How has technology affected the course/discipline recently?
In terms of my discipline of Organisational Psychology, the increase in technology has provided many organisational benefits but has also raised interesting questions for organisational psychologists. For example, investigating the impact of automation on workers and examining the impact of remote working on teamwork, leadership and employee wellbeing.
In terms of teaching, technology has enabled us to continue to deliver our amazing lectures, seminars and workshops and has enabled us to keep connected during times of isolation. This was really valuable but also helped to demonstrate new ways of teaching and learning.
What are the facilities and labs like?
Kent has some amazing labs for running studies. We have EEG labs, eye-tracking labs, the Kent Child Development Unit, virtual reality labs and even a bar lab. These facilities enable researchers from a variety of Psychology sub-disciplines to investigate a wide variety of research topics. Also, the Kent campus is stunning and offers a number of other facilities which students can enjoy.
What is your favourite aspect about living in Kent?
I love that Kent has lots of different places to explore. You have the historic town centre which is not too big and easy to navigate. You also have the seaside towns such as Whitstable if you want to be near the sea and enjoy some fish and chips. And as it is named the Garden of England, Kent also has lots of villages and countryside to explore.
Learn more about our Social Psychology BSc (Hons) or our Forensic PSychology MSc course at Kent.