Heather Massey

Heather Massey is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences and the Centre for Integrated Health and Wellbeing. Her work bridges environmental physiology, public health, and mental wellbeing, focusing on human responses to cold water immersion and outdoor swimming.

• Institution: University of Portsmouth
• School: School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences
• Role: Senior Lecturer
• Affiliation: Centre for Integrated Health and Wellbeing (Affiliate)

Her research centers on the physiological and psychological effects of cold water exposure, including cold shock response, acclimatization, non-freezing cold injury, and the mental health benefits of outdoor swimming. She investigates both the risks and therapeutic potential of cold water therapies, contributing to safety guidelines and public health recommendations.

Recent publications highlight a strong trend toward nature-based interventions for depression, feasibility studies on outdoor swimming, and systematic reviews on physiological adaptation. Her work often uses interdisciplinary methods, combining experimental physiology with public health surveys and clinical trials.

Scientific contributions include:

• Development of safety guidance for cold water swimming operators
• Research on vascular and inflammatory biomarkers in cold injury
• Protocols for fMRI studies on brain connectivity after cold exposure
• Public education on drowning prevention and 'Float to Live' techniques

She actively supervises and collaborates on research projects, particularly feasibility trials involving outdoor swimming for NHS workers and individuals with depression. Her work is supported by institutional research frameworks and often conducted in collaboration with experts like Mike Tipton and Clare Eglin. She also contributes to peer review for journals in physiology and sports medicine.