Helen Clegg

Dr. Helen Clegg is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Buckingham’s School of Psychology (part of the Faculty of Computing, Law and Psychology). She joined in 2018 and holds chartered psychologist status from the British Psychological Society. Her teaching portfolio includes modules on evolutionary psychology, research methods, and individual differences. She supervises undergraduate dissertations and postgraduate research students.

Dr. Clegg’s academic background includes a BSc in Anatomy/Human Biology from Liverpool University, followed by NHS psychiatric nursing experience. She later earned an MA in Cognitive Evolution (Reading University) and a PhD in evolutionary approaches to creativity (Open University).

Her research focuses on dance psychology, exploring themes like gender equity in dance education (e.g., boys’ participation), psychological factors affecting performance (performance anxiety, perfectionism), and injury management. She also investigates creativity’s evolutionary basis and psychological measurement tools for dancers. Recent work emphasizes challenging gender stereotypes through qualitative studies with dance teachers and parents.

Her scholarly output spans 20+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including impactful work on lucid dreaming (e.g., meta-analyses of incidence rates) and therianthropy (non-human identity). In 2023, her collaborative work on parental perspectives of boys’ dance motivation earned recognition via Wayne State University’s Board of Governors Award.

Dr. Clegg actively contributes to academic communities through conference presentations (e.g., British Psychological Society events) and sits on editorial boards. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges evolutionary theory, qualitative research, and applied dance psychology.