Paul Fisher

Professor

  • 2.07 Elizabeth Fry Building

Personal profile

Biography

I am currently employed full time as UEA Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (APVC) Education Growth, Partnership and Flexible Provision and as a Professor of Clinical Psychology. In my APVC post I lead academic input into Education Partnerships (UK and Transnational) and all elements of flexible provision (Short Courses, CPD etc). Alongside quality assurance roles I seek to embed and grow these opportunities, alongside apprenticeships, across the whole of UEA.

In my substantive Professor of Clinical Psychology role I am the Programme Director of the Master of Science Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship launched in December 2021 and we are currently training our fourth cohort who are due to graduate in March 2026. The programme has trained CAPSs for the East of England and London and has excellent achievement rates. I led development and management of all aspects of the programme for the University including close work with NHS Partners. As part of my role I Co-Chaired the Group of Trainers in Clinical Associate in Psychology (GTiCAP) Committee between Sept 2021 and Sept 2024.

Alongside this I contribute to many aspects of the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology - undertaking teaching, research, supervisory and pastoral roles. My teaching and research interests centre around professional practice issues such as formulation and reflective practice. I have substantial expertise in the use of qualitative research methods, and this often informs my research.

 

Prior to my current roles I was Associate Dean Apprenticeships role, (January 2024 - January 2026), I worked across UEA to ensure academic quality for the UEA Apprenticeship Portfolio and to build a community of apprenticeship training providers, through regular workshops. I was also Director for Post Graduate Taught Programmes within the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies (Oct 2021-January 2026), meaning I took oversight of 5 NHS training programmes. I was Programme Director of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training at UEA (2017-2021). This involved leadership of all aspects of the PWP programme and the associated PWP long term conditions training. I have led the programme and its staff team through its first successful accreditation process and through recent expansions.

I have a long-standing interest in international developments across the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies and as such have held the role of International Tutor for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. As part of this role I hold an adjunct appointment as Senior Lecturer at Sunway University, Malaysia and have visited Malaysia, Singapore and other countries multiple times contributing to the development of Clinical Psychology in these areas. In June 2019 I undertook work for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Malaysia where I developed and delivered a Mental Health Literacy training for the Malaysian Ministry of Health. 

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of South Wales (Cardiff) in 2001. I was awarded my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2007 from the University of Plymouth (Bristol Doctorate in Clinical Psychology).

On qualification I worked as a Clinical Psychologist within a large NHS older adult mental health team. In 2010 I started working in Singapore for James Cook University as a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology. Concurrently I worked as an honorary Clinical Psychologist for Changi General Hospital within an older adult mental health team. In 2013 I returned to the UK to work in my current post at UEA and as a clinical psychologist with people who have experienced a brain injury. In June 2017 I changed my NHS role to working clinically with older people with mental health problems, including dementia, across a range of inpatient wards. From May 2019 I have worked full time at UEA and hold an honorary contract with Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Foundation Trust to undertake clinical work with older adults.

Teaching Interests

I contribute to various aspects of the teaching of Trainee Clinical Psychologists and Apprentice Clinical Associates in Psychology at UEA and have taught across many other programmes and disciplines over many years.

Career

UEA Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (APVC) Education Growth, Partnership and Flexible Provision. January 2026 - Ongoing 

Professor of Clinical Psychology. August 2024 - Ongoing

Associate Dean Apprenticeships UEA. January 2024 - January 2026

Director for Post Graduate Taught Programmes within the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies. Oct 2021-January 2026

Programme Director of the Master of Science Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship. Oct 2021 - Ongoing

Clinical Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology: Oct 2021- August 2024

Senior Clinical Lecturer and Programme Director for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner training, University of East Anglia. Sept 2017 - Sept 2021

Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Sunway University Malaysia. 2019 - ongoing

Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Psychology. University of East Anglia. Joined 2013.

Clinical Psychologist, Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Foundation Trust Joined June 2017. Honorary role Sept 2019 

Clinical Psychologist. Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust. 2013 - 2017

Lecturer in Clinical Psychology. James Cook University, Singapore. 2010 - 2012

Honorary Clinical Psychologist, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. 2011 - 2012

Clinical Psychologist, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health partnership NHS Trust 2008 - 2010

Key Research Interests

I have a number of current research interests including:

  • The development and use of reflective practice, mindfulness, resilience and self care by Trainee and Qualified Clinical Psychologists and other psychological professionals
  • Professional and ethical issues for clinical psychologists and other psychological professionals 
  • New psychological roles including clinical associates in psychology

I am particularly interested in the use of qualitative research methods including Thematic Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Grounded Theory and participatory approaches. 

Academic Background

2021: Postgrad Diploma in Higher Education Practice & Research (PGDiP). UEA.

2007: DClinPsych, University of Plymouth (Bristol Doctorate in Clinical Psychology)

2001: BSc Psychology – University of South Wales (Cardiff University)

Academic Background

June 2024 - Senior Fellowship Advance HE

August 2021 - PGDip in Higher Education Practice - University of East Anglia 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

External positions

External Examiner, Cardiff University

2025 → …

External Examiner, University of Surrey

2025 → …

BPS Widerworkforce Psychological Advisory Group, British Psychological Society

20242025

External Examiner, Keele University

20222025

BPS Associate Psychology Accreditation Sub-Committee (National), British Psychological Society

20212025

External Examiner, University of Sheffield

20212024

Co-Chair National Group of Trainers in Clinical Associate in Psychology (GTiCAP)

20212024

Senior Independent Assesor, University of Essex

20212025

External Examiner, University of Surrey

20152019

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or