Heather Branigan

Dr Heather Branigan is a Lecturer at the School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, where she has been employed since 2019. She holds a BSc and PhD in Psychology from the University of Stirling and has previously worked at the University of Dundee and Robert Gordon University (RGU).

• Education: BSc and PhD in Psychology from the University of Stirling.
• Previous Institutions: University of Dundee and Robert Gordon University.

Her primary research interests are in educational and developmental psychology, focusing on metacognition, academic transitions, and resilience in Higher Education. She advocates for widening participation, educational transitions, and academic resilience. Her methodological expertise lies in qualitative research methods and the application of metacognition in classroom settings.

The analysis of her publications reveals recurring themes such as metacognition, teacher-pupil interactions, educational transitions, and the use of qualitative methodologies in understanding cognitive development. Her work spans empirical studies, theoretical explorations, and pedagogical applications.

She coordinates and lectures on courses including Developmental Psychology: Current Issues in Education (PS5053), Developmental Psychology: Childhood Health and Wellbeing (PS5554), and Advanced Psychology A/B: Concepts and Theory (PS2017/PS2517). She also tutors on courses covering qualitative methods, developmental psychology, and educational research at various academic levels.