معرفی
Deborah Husbands is a Reader in Race and Sociocultural Psychology at the University of Westminster's School of Social Sciences, affiliated with the Centre for Psychological Sciences. She co-chairs the University's Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, co-founded and co-chairs the BME Network, and leads the Black History Year programme. Additionally, she serves as Outreach Coordinator for the School of Social Sciences and chairs the Psychologist and Digest Editorial Advisory Committee for the British Psychological Society.
Her educational background includes:
- BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of Westminster, 2009 (First-Class Honours)
- PhD in Black and Minority Ethnic psychology student experiences in higher education (2019), focusing on Black women's identity construction and sense of belonging
Dr. Husbands employs qualitative methods (thematic analysis, IPA, content analysis) with critical race theories to investigate marginalized experiences in higher education. Her work centers on identity construction, intersectionality, ethnicity, gender, sense of belonging, and the impostor phenomenon, aiming to improve retention, satisfaction, and progression for underrepresented students through pluralistic frameworks.
Her scientific recognition includes:
- Elizabeth de Lowernthal Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- Associate Fellowship of the British Psychological Society
She supervises PhD researchers including Khalid Uddin (collective identity development among migrant workers), Daniella Sykes, Iris Sirendi (Cripping the Collections project), and Isang Emeneka (music/memory in racially minoritised communities). Her research funding includes:
- SRHE (2024): 'I’m an impostor! Get me out of here!' project on impostor phenomenon
- AHRC (2023): W-ICAD development for inclusive museum interpretation
- AHRC (2021): 'I don’t see what you mean' co-created museum audio project
- NIHR (2021): AUDITED health information chatbot study
- Leverhulme Trust (2021): Disinformation sharing motivations research
Dr. Husbands leads the Black History Year programme and BME Network, organizing conferences and workshops addressing racial inequality across academia, industry, politics, and mental health through critical dialogues and community engagement.
