Dr Lucy Walker

Staff Photo

Dr Lucy Walker PhD, BSc, AFHEA

Lecturer

My profile

Biography

I am a Lecturer in the Psychology Department.  I specialise in investigating the impact of  stress on health and performance outcomes using a mixed method approach. My recent work focusing on the adult working population both in our changing working environments (e.g. office and hybrid working) as well as in demanding occupations (e.g. Police, Army, search and rescue).

Academic and professional qualifications

I completed my PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University between the years of 2017 and 2021. My thesis investigated the role of the stress response in success of an age-progression facial morphing smoking intervention in women. I used a mixed method approach drawing on findings from qualitative interviews and focus groups to inform randomised control trial and physiological measurement research design. Prior to this I completed a BSc Psychology (Hons, 1st Class) at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Interests and expertise

I currently focus on two strands of research.

Firstly I am currently investigating the factors which contribute to both wellbeing and performance within the workplace, specifically office based and home working habits. I have investigated the impact of taking breaks using a mixed method approach. Adding to this I am currently investigating the comparative impact of taking breaks within a garden setting versus inside, on both work performance and wellbeing. Lastly I am interested in Social Networking Analysis techniques, applying this to the workplace in order to assess how information circulation and colleague networks impact upon both work performance and wellbeing in both positive and negative directions.

Secondly I am interested and have been involved in investigating resilient performance under stress within a range of demanding occupations such as defence and security operators, search and rescue operators and within aerospace simulation environments. The work looks at a range of psychological and physiological enablers and processors that facilitate resilient performance. 

I have expertise in mixed method research design, making qualitative work a key feature of the design rather than a secondary add on. I also have expertise in the design of behavioural randomised controlled trails, specifically around behavioural health interventions.

I also have experience in the collection and processing of a range of psychophysiological measurements including: Heart Rate Variability, Electro-Dermal Activity, Saliva samples for hormonal compounds, Functional near-infrared spectroscopy. 

Get in touch

Brooks Building

Teaching

I have been awarded fellow status of the Advance Higher Education Academy.

I currently teach on a range of topics within both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and lead units at Level 4.

Supervision

I currently supervise a range of undergraduate projects

I also supervise a DClinSci project, advising on aspects of qualitative analysis.

I also currently supervise two PhD students, advising on the application of mixed method research within volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments and samples. I welcome applications from prospective PhD students

Research outputs

Smith, N., Jones, M. V., Braithwaite, E., Walker, L. I., McCann, A., Turner, M., … Jones, M. I. (n.d.). Defence and security perspectives on the operationalization, measurement, and training of resilient performance under stress. Performance Enhancement and Health. doi:10.1016/j.peh.2023.100272

Jones, M. V., Smith, N., Walker, L., Turner, M., McCann, A., Braithwaite, E., … Jones, M. (2023). Development of the ARENA training programme for resilient performance in defense and security settings. Military Psychology, 1-13. doi:10.1080/08995605.2023.2268495

Walker, L., Braithwaite, E. C., Jones, M. V., Suckling, S., & Burns, D. (n.d.). “Make it the done thing”: an exploration of attitudes towards rest breaks, productivity and wellbeing while working from home. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. doi:10.1007/s00420-023-01985-6

Jones, M. V., Smith, N., Burns, D., Braithwaite, E., Turner, M., McCann, A., … Jones, M. (2022). A systematic review of resilient performance in defence and security settings. PLoS One, 17(10), e0273015. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0273015

Walker, L., Cordero, M. I., McChesney, G., Gee, I., & Grogan, S. (2022). Associations between Covid-19-related threat, stress, and smoking in UK adults aged under- and over-30. Tobacco Use Insights, 15, 1-6. doi:10.1177/1179173X221121229

Parry, S., Carr, N., Staniford, L., & Walker, L. (2022). Rebuilding the Workplace to Promote Young Workers’ Mental Health. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 15(3). doi:10.1108/IJWHM-10-2021-0188

Walker, L., Grogan, S., Scholtens, K., Denovan, A., McMillan, B., Armitage, C. J., … Cordero, M. I. (2022). UK women smokers’ experiences of an age-progression smoking cessation intervention: Thematic analysis of accounts. PEC Innovation, 1. doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100021

Grogan, S., Walker, L., McChesney, G., Gee, I., Gough, B., & Cordero, M. I. (2022). How has COVID-19 lockdown impacted smoking? A thematic analysis of written accounts from UK smokers. Psychology and Health: an international journal, 37(1), 17-33. doi:10.1080/08870446.2020.1862110

Press and media

Myself and colleagues from the Psychology Department Partnered up with J.Parkers bulb and plant distribution company on an RHS Tatton show Garden:

J. Parker’s Partners with Manchester Metropolitan University for RHS Tatton Flower Show - JParkers

My recent research on the impact of taking breaks at work has been reported on:

Take a break: why going outside can benefit homeworkers · Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)