Tracy Stewart

Dr Tracy Stewart is a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. She holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology, a PhD in Psychology, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research focuses on clinical, cognitive, and developmental psychology, particularly examining the interplay between emotional and cognitive factors in adolescent depression, suicide/self-harm, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. Tracy collaborates with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and institutions like the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre.

Education:

• BA (Hons) Psychology
• PhD in Psychology
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Research Interests: Tracy investigates typical/atypical cognitive and emotional development, longitudinal relationships between rumination and executive functions in childhood/adolescence, childhood trauma impacts on autobiographical memory, and mental health links to school exclusion. She also explores lay perceptions of self-harm/suicide and mental wellbeing in neurodivergent populations.

Key Projects/Grants:

• INISS (2020-2021): Examined vulnerable children’s mental health during the pandemic.
• ADHD Profiling Project (2017-2021): Coordinated learning/cognition assessments in ADHD.
• ASD Depression Screening Tool (2019-2021): Co-developed clinical instruments for autistic youth.
• School-Based Learning Interventions: Focused on ADHD and autism diagnostic pathways.

Awards:

• Chartered Psychologist (BPS)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Advising & Grants: Tracy supervises PhD students and leads/co-leads grants totaling over £200K. Recent initiatives include teacher suicide intervention training and mental health strategies for educators.

Collaborations: Active partnerships with NHS Lothian, UNICEF UK, Edinburgh Futures Institute, and Scottish Government data teams. She contributes to interdisciplinary teams addressing child mental health and education equity.