Susan Rasmussen

Dr. Susan Rasmussen is a Reader in Psychology at the University of Strathclyde, affiliated with the School of Psychological Sciences and Health. She serves as the Associate Dean Undergraduate for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, focusing on student well-being and curriculum development. Her research primarily addresses suicide prevention, self-harm trajectories, and vaccine hesitancy in high-risk populations. Rasmussen holds a BA from the University of Strathclyde and a PhD in Health Psychology from the University of Stirling, with additional advanced academic training.

• Education:
  • BA Hons in Psychology (University of Strathclyde)
  • PhD in Health Psychology (University of Stirling)
  • PG Certificate in Advanced Academic Studies (University of Strathclyde)

Her research integrates psychology with health policy and epidemiology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understand suicidal behaviors and improve health interventions. Key projects include examining links between employment instability and suicide risk in Scotland, and developing strategies to enhance vaccination uptake among chronically ill populations. She has secured funding from prestigious bodies like the Wellcome Trust and ESRC, and holds fellowships at the Centre for Health Policy and the Higher Education Academy.

Rasmussen collaborates with institutions such as the University of Glasgow’s Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab and the University of North Carolina’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Lab. Her professional activities include serving on the NHS Health Research Authority Ethics Committee and chairing The Samaritans. Teaching responsibilities include leading courses on mental health and individual differences, alongside contributing to undergraduate student induction programs.