Vicki Mcdermott-Thompson

Vicki took up her post as Lecturer in Psychology in 2018. She has a degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Derby, an MA in Research Methods (Sociology) from the University of Nottingham, and a PhD from the School of Social Work at UEA. Her PhD looked at violence in teenage intimate relationships using a mixed methods approach. Prior to her PhD, Vicki worked as a Supervisor and Researcher in a research social enterprise which formed part of a wider charitable organisation in Great Yarmouth.

Vicki is interested in the use of qualitative methods and has recently worked as a Qualitative Research Associate in the Norwich Medical School on the PERFECTED study, a National Institute for Health Research funded programme aimed at improving acute hospital care for people with Dementia who break their hip.

Vicki's general research interests include intimate relationships in adolescence and early adulthood, peer relationships, domestic violence/intimate partner violence and criminality with a focus on gender based issues.

PhD Title: Understanding young people’s experiences and views of partner violence in teenage intimate relationships.

Drawing on feminist criminology and feminist qualitative psychology, Vicki's PhD research explored young people’s experiences and views of teenage intimate partner violence. The research was undertaken using a mixed method framework combining qualitative and quantitative approaches; a quantitative online self-completion survey and a series of predominantly single gender qualitative focus groups with young people aged 16-19. 

PhD research supervisors:

Prof Marian Brandon

Dr Jane Dodsworth

Awards:

First prize: UEA Postgraduate Research Showcase best Cafe Conversation (Cafe Scientifique).

Poster presentations:

University of East Anglia Postgraduate Showcase (July 2011)

UEA London Conference ‘Inside Child Protection: New developments in research and practice’ (July 2011)

Qualifications

PhD Social Work, University of East Anglia

PG Cert Online and Distance Education, The Open University

MA Research Methods, University of Nottingham

BA Hons (First Class) Sociology and Criminology, University of Derby

Teaching experience

Lecturer in Psychology, UEA (August 2018-Present).

Associate Lecturer (Social Science) The Open University (April 2010-present).

Associate Tutor, School of Psychology, UEA (January 2011-May 2018).

Module Leader, Applied Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, UEA (January 2017-June 2017).

Lecturer in Health and Social Care and Health Studies, City College Norwich (August 2015-February 2016).

Module Leader, Crime and Punishment, School of Psychology, UEA (September 2014-June 2015).

Module Leader, The Child in Society, School of Psychology, UEA (January 2014-June 2014).

Research experience

Research Associate (qualitative) on the PERFECTED Study, Norwich Medical School, UEA (January 2017-August 2018).

Senior Research Associate, School of Psychology, UEA (April 2014-May 2015).

Research Team Leader and Senior Researcher, Priory Research Services, Great Yarmouth Community Trust (August 2009-September 2010).

2021-Present Deputy Chair School of Psychology Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

2019- 2021 Disability Liaison Officer

2018-2019 INTO Liaison Officer