Paul Robert Penn

Biography

I graduated with a degree in Psychology from UEL where I did my final year dissertation on the application of Virtual Reality (VR) to the recovery from brain injury.  I then moved on to the University of Hertfordshire to study for my PhD. My thesis addressed touch perception in both blind and sighted individuals in the real world and Virtual Reality (VR). Following the completion of my PhD, I undertook a brief post doctoral placement at the University of Birmingham before retuning to UEL in 2004 to serve as a Research Fellow with the School of Psychology's Virtual Reality Research Team (VRRT). During my time in this role, I completed the PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education qualification and began to contribute to undergraduate and post-graduate teaching within the school. I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), a chartered Psychologist and a member of the division for Teachers and Researchers in Psychology. I have sat on various working groups and committees within the university including: the Academic Integrity working group, the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) group and the Learning and Teaching committee.

Education

BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of East London, 1998
Ph.D. Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, 2002
PGCert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, UEL, 2006

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

My main interests lie in research concerning the application of psychology to learning and communication.

I am also interested in:

The public understanding of psychology (and science generally)
Pedagogical research within higher education.
Cyberpsychology

Personal Interests

In my spare time I regularly attend the gym and enjoy literature, music and culture. I am a keen (but not great) cook. I like to travel to new places when possible, especially if they contain a nice beach, spa or theme park!  

Websites

• The Psychological Advantage Consultancy

Books