Elida Cena

Elida Cena is a Senior Lecturer (Education) in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast. She holds a PhD from Edge Hill University (2014-2017) and is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research focuses on qualitative methodologies, students’ sense of belonging, and migration studies, particularly examining the experiences of return migrants and international students.

Education:

• PhD in Psychology, Edge Hill University (2014-2017)

Research Interests: Elida’s interdisciplinary work bridges higher education and migration studies. She explores qualitative research methods, migrant adjustment processes, and socio-cultural inclusion/exclusion practices. Her PhD examined return migrants’ sense of belonging post-economic crisis, using interviews, focus groups, and creative methods.

Teaching: She coordinates Masters-level modules on qualitative research methods and teaches developmental/cultural psychology across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Courses include PSY7063, PSY7064, and PSY2067.

Awards:

• Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): PhD Studentship (2014)
• Innovation in Teaching Fund awards (2023-2025)
• Japanese International Student Bursary (2005)

Advising & Grants: Supervises Year 3, MSc, and doctoral students (e.g., Saide Nur Duyar). Leads pedagogical initiatives like the Qualitative Researcher Network and Pedagogy Lab. Her grants focus on inclusive teaching and innovative methodologies.

Labs/Teams: Member of the Centre for Identity and Intergroup Relations and the Inclusivity Group in the School of Psychology. Active in professional societies like BPS and ESPLAT.