Susan Lagdon

Dr. Susan Lagdon is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Mental Health) at Ulster University and a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. Her research focuses on domestic and sexual violence, mental health implications of interpersonal trauma, and participatory research methods. She holds leadership roles in the Northern Ireland Forensic Managed Care Network and the North-South COSHARE Network, advocating for victim support and policy development.

Education: PhD in Psychology (2016) from Ulster University, specializing in intimate partner violence and service experiences in Northern Ireland.

Current Projects: The Healthy Young Adult Relationships (HYAR) project, funded by the Medical Research Council, and the COSHARE initiative addressing sexual violence in higher education. These projects emphasize cross-border collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Research Contributions: Over 46 publications since 2014, focusing on coercive control, LGBTQ+ mental health, and trauma. Key works include systematic reviews on unwanted sexual experiences and policy analyses on civil legal aid for domestic abuse victims.

Awards: Recognized with the 2025 Future Research Leader Champion Award and the 2024 Outstanding Interdisciplinary Research Team Award for collaborative efforts.

Teaching & Supervision: Year 3 Tutor in the School of Psychology, delivering modules on Advanced Research Methods and Forensic Psychology. Supervises multiple undergraduate and postgraduate students, including PhD researchers like Janice Hutchinson and Ailise McCallion.

Advocacy & Outreach: Active in public education through TEDx talks and media contributions, emphasizing coercive control awareness and campus safety initiatives.