Joseph Adonu

Dr. Joseph Adonu is a Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at the School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire. He is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy of England and Wales. As course leader of the MSc Applied Psychology (PSRB) programme, he teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses and supervises research students.

Dr. Adonu holds a PhD in Social Psychology from Brunel University (2005), a BA (First-Class Honours) in Psychology from the University of Ghana, and a postgraduate qualification in academic practice (PgCAP) from the University of Bedfordshire. His educational background also includes certificates in Lean Thinking and Appreciative Inquiry in Organisational Leadership.

His research focuses on social psychology and culture, with particular emphasis on personal relationships across cultural contexts, including marital experiences, romantic love, friendship, and enemyship. He explores achievement aspiration and personal development, continental philosophy applications, and perceptions of EDI initiatives in higher education. His work bridges Euro-American and African cultural settings, examining how cultural grounding influences psychological processes and socio-economic development.

Dr. Adonu has developed significant research tools like the Multi-Dimensional Enemyship Scale and has examined romantic relationship rules through Akan proverbs. His publications span cross-cultural psychology, existential philosophy applications, and educational development, with recent work focusing on measurement development for interpersonal conflict and relationship dynamics.

• Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy of England and Wales
• Academic Mentor, Social Psychology Network
• Member, BPS Social Psychology Section

As an educator, Dr. Adonu supervises PhD, MSc, and BSc students, particularly those interested in social psychology and cultural contexts. He has authored the book "How To Excel And Have Fun At University," which has been described as "The Inspirational Students' Companion." His teaching portfolio includes courses on psychological research methods, social processes, critical social psychology, and culture and individual differences.

Dr. Adonu maintains active research collaborations across cultural contexts and serves as an academic mentor for underrepresented students through the Social Psychology Network Mentorship Program.