معرفی
Dr. Rebecca Owens is Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Sunderland, where she leads academic programs and research initiatives. She earned her First Class BSc (Hons) in Psychology in 2009 and completed her PhD in Evolutionary Psychology in 2016 while working part-time. She is recognized as an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for her contributions to teaching and scholarship.
Her primary research focus is on male psychology, approached through an evolutionary lens that integrates biological and psychological perspectives. Dr. Owens specializes in three interconnected research areas: male psychology (with emphasis on biological and evolutionary foundations), mating behaviors and preferences (particularly sex differences in competitive behaviors and the role of testosterone), and body image/identity (focusing on motivations for body modifications and their impact on wellbeing). Her work bridges theoretical evolutionary psychology with practical applications in mental health and gender studies.
Dr. Owens' publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple formats including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, conference presentations, films, and podcasts. Her recent work shows increasing focus on male mental health interventions, body modification practices, and gender-specific healthcare approaches. She has collaborated with researchers across multiple disciplines and countries, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work.
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Featured expert in Channel 4's Danny Dyer series on masculinity
- Developer of the world's first male psychology module (2020)
- Regular media contributor on mental health topics
As an educator, Dr. Owens teaches evolutionary psychology in undergraduate programs and leads a stage 3 optional module in Male Psychology. She supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and currently advises multiple PhD students. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes integrating evolutionary perspectives with contemporary psychological issues, particularly in understanding male-specific challenges. She is actively involved in developing innovative approaches to mental health interventions specifically designed for men, including her recent work exploring dark tourism as a potential therapeutic approach.
