Our Psychology Community Shares Their Favourite Books, Podcasts and TV Shows!
Need a break from studying or revising but don’t know what to do? Here’s what our staff and students have been watching, reading, and listening to.
We asked our psychology lecturers and students what they’ve been enjoying! Prof Tim Hopthrow is our Head of School and Professor of Social Psychology, Dr Josh Nice is a Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, Dr Christie Marsh lectures in Social and Organisational Psychology, Dr Maria Gallagher lectures in Cognition and Neuroscience, and Alia, Eren, Kathryn, Pranati, and Octavia are just some of our fab psychology student ambassadors.
Tim’s Picks
- Movers and Shakers: a podcast about life with Parkinson’s (Podcast) – Featuring six friends, including Jeremy Paxman, discussing the reality of living with the degenerative neurological condition.
- To find out about how Kent is investigating and developing better and more effective therapies for Parkinson’s Disease, visit our Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy (PCIT) website.
- All in the Mind (BBC Radio 4) – A show about the very latest psychological and medical research. Recent episodes covered mental health and surfing, the grief we feel when celebrities die, and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
- Electoral Dysfunction and The Rest is Politics (Podcast) – Aren’t only for Politics students. Recent elections in the UK and the US were a reminder that voting behaviour, tribalism and perceptions of leadership can be examined through the psychological lens.
- Alex Cross (TV series) – If crime-dramas are your thing, following this forensic psychologist protagonist as he analyses the minds of killers and brings murderers to justice is bound to make the grade.
Maria’s Picks
- Uncanny (BBS Sounds Series) – A series that dives into the psychology of the supernatural, examining real-life paranormal experiences through the lens of psychological theories and phenomena, challenging listeners’ beliefs while providing fascinating insights into the human mind’s capacity to interpret mysterious events.
- Terry Pratchett novels –
- “My absolute favourite is Reaper Man (because who doesn’t like a 7-foot skeleton telling you about the meaning of life?!), but I think the best-written one is Night Watch (time travel, revolution, and what happens if you become a mentor to your younger self?).”
Christie’s Picks
- The Traitors (TV series) – It’s more than your average reality game show. £120,000 is at stake as 22 strangers, in a castle, battle to make it to end without being ‘killed’ by the anonymous traitors among them. There’s constant doubt, fear and psychological gameplay.
- Great British Bake Off – you must know this one, it’s been around for a long time. Britain’s amateur bakers compete in the iconic white tent to prove their baking skills and impress the judges.
- The Chief Psychology Officer (Podcast) – hosted by Dr Amanda Potter. Drawing from latest research in neuroscience and psychology to provide insights in how individuals and organisations can enhance productivity, wellbeing and innovation.
- Six Thinking Hats (Book) – provides a simple technique for groups to aid in decision making and brainstorming. It describes six hats to represent six modes of thinking.
Josh’s Picks
- Succession (TV Series) – A satirical drama about the dysfunctional Roy family’s power struggles for control over their global media empire, filled with betrayal, manipulation, and dark humour as they navigate the uncertain health of their aging patriarch.
- The Penguin (TV Series) – A crime/drama tv series based on DC comics starring Colin Farrel – sequel to The Batman 2022 (Robert Pattison) and follows Oz Cobb’s rise to power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld.
- Day of the Jackal (Film) – a political thriller about a professional assassin, the Jackal, who is hired by a French paramilitary organisation to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle amidst political turmoil in 1963 France.
Student Ambassador Picks
Thanks Alia, Eren, Kathryn, Pranati and Octavia!
- Calling Bullsh*t: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World (Audiobook) – A guide to developing critical thinking and skepticism in a data-driven world, offering practical tools and real-world examples to help readers question information, expose misinformation, and make informed decisions.
- Prison Break (TV series) – A thrilling drama about an engineer who becomes an inmate to help his brother escape death row, utilising his intellect and strategic skills to navigate prison dangers.
- Married at first sight (TV series) – Is as it sounds. Couples are matched by experts based on values and personality. Their first meeting is on their wedding day. Cue dramatic dinner parties, awkward commitment ceremonies and an occasional joyful romance.
- The Aspiring Psychologist (Podcast) – Offers guidance, advice, and relatable anecdotes to help aspiring psychologists link theory with practice, providing practical strategies for managing stress and developing emotional resilience.
- Arcane (TV series) – Perfect for fans of adventure, fantasy and animation this show has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its main characters are two sisters on opposite sides of a war brewing between utopian Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun.
- Brooklyn 99 (TV series) – A lighthearted sitcom about the eccentric detectives of the NYPD’s 99th precinct, blending workplace humor, heartwarming camaraderie, and crime-solving as the team navigates cases and personal lives under the leadership of Captain Holt.
- Desperate housewives (TV series) – An oldy but goody. Wisteria Lane has the veneer of suburban bliss but dark secrets lie beneath. A comedy drama with 8 seasons is a big commitment but you’re worth it.
- Criminal Minds (TV series) – Follows an elite team of FBI profilers within the Behavioral Analysis Unit who investigate violent crimes, unraveling the psychological motivations of dangerous offenders by delving into their minds and anticipating their next moves.