Simon Watts

Simon Watts is PGR Training Coordinator and Deputy Head of the Graduate School in the Faculty of Social Science. He was previously a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and has also held full-time posts in Psychology at the University of Northampton and University College London.

Simon is an expert in a wide range of research methods, including factor and regression analyses, but is more widely recognized as an exponent and teacher of qualitative methods and, in particular, Q methodology. A keen educator and popular lecturer, Simon’s various published works have been cited in excess of 750 times in the last five years.

Simon publishes regularly on matters of methodology and also conducts research on chronic illness, quality of life issues in persons with dementia and people’s personal experiences and understandings of love.

Indicative publications

Watts, S., & Stenner, P. (2013). Definitions of love in a sample of British women: An empirical study using Q methodology. British Journal of Social Psychology. Available at: DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12048.

Watts, S., & Stenner, P. (2012). Doing Q methodological research: Theory, method & interpretation. London: Sage.

Trigg, R., Watts, S., Jones, R., & Tod, A. (2011). Predictors of subjective quality of life in dementia: The role of insight. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(1), 83-91.

Watts, S., O’ Hara, L., & Trigg, R. (2010). Living with Type 1 diabetes: A by-person qualitative exploration. Psychology & Health, 25(4), 491-506.

Larkin, M., Watts, S., & Clifton, E. (2006). Giving voice and making sense in interpretative phenomenological analysis. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 102-120.

Simon teaches a range of sessions for the Faculty’s PGR students relative to their ‘Researcher Development & Transferable Skills’ training.In the coming year, these sessions will cover methodological issues, including qualitative analysis skills, a comparison of the aims and strengths of various qualitative methods, Q methodology and repertory grids, as well as research skills, such as effective academic writing, academic reviewing, writing research proposals, preparing for a PhD transfer/viva and literature reviewing.

Simon is responsible for organising and coordinating the training of all the Faculty’s PGR students in the areas of Research Methods, Research and Transferable Skills and any additional Subject-Specific/Theoretical issues.

He is Course Leader for the Faculty’s PPD (Personal and Professional Development) and Advanced Training provision for PGR students.