Lecturer, Employability Fellow
Hello, as a graduate of the University of Bedfordshire I have worked as an IT Demonstrator, Researcher and Lecturer in the department of Psychology for the last thirteen years. In collaboration with colleagues within the department and wider university I have worked on projects related to teenage parents, the development and resilience of looked after children, fathering, the student experience, student employability and evaluating road safety campaigns in Luton and Central Bedfordshire. I also undertake consultancy work relating to different aspects of research methods and analysis and children’s resilience. I enjoy working with charities and organisations in the local community and seeing how our students develop from excited, sometime nervous first years to confident, informed graduates.
Other References
Qualifications
- Chartered Psychologist in Teaching and Research – British Psychological Society
- Fellow of Higher Education – Higher Education Academy
- Post Graduate Certificate of Higher Education - University of Bedfordshire
- MSc Psychology (by Research) - University of Bedfordshire
- BSc Psychology and English Language – University of Luton
Teaching Role
- Unit co-ordinator Research Methods and Analysis for all BSc Psychology programmes
- Unit co-ordinator Atypical child and adolescent development
- Msc Research Methods
- Social process and lifespan development
- Psychology of Everyday life
Research Interests
- Teaching and learning (the student experience and employability)
- Developmental (parenting, fathering and children’s resilience)
- Applied psychology (driving attitudes and behaviour, evaluating services)
- Research methods (different research designs and analysis, research ethics)
Funded Research Projects
- McMurray, I and Roberts, P (2012) Evaluation of Caring Dads Programme. £4,000
- Roberts, P and McMurray, I (2011) Evaluation of Luton Borough Council Road Safety Campaigns. £15,000
- McMurray, I and Roberts, P (2011) Evaluation of Central Bedfordshire Road Safety Campaigns. £20,000
- McMurray, I and Roberts, P. (2011) Supporting young novice drivers road safety (Bedfordshire Highway Agency) £ 1,500
- McMurray, I. (2009) Facilitating the employability of Psychology students. (CETL Funded Project)£ 7625.20
- McMurray, I., Roberts, P., Robertson I, Gaitán, A (2008) 'The Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment’ (CETL Funded Project) £7500.
- McMurray, I (2005) Young Parents consultation on housing and related support needs. Luton Primary Care Trust £10,000.
- Roberts, P, McMurray, I Robertson I (2005) 'Enhancing the Quality of the Undergraduate Learning Experience: A follow up study’ (HEFCE Teaching & Learning funded Project) £1,500.
- Worrell, M, McMurray, I, Roberts, P (2004) 'Enhancing the Quality of the Undergraduate Learning Experience’ (HEFCE Teaching & Learning funded Project) £1,500.
Service to the Academic/Professional Community
- Psychology Department Employability Fellow
- Chair of Department of Psychology Ethics committee
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Associate Member of the European Psychology Teaching and Learning Network
- Member of the BPS Developmental Psychology Section
- Member of the BPS section on Social Work
- Member of the University of Bedfordshire Faculty Academic board
- Member of the University of Bedfordshire Employability Action Group
- Member of the University of Bedfordshire Alumni group
- Reviewer for: Children and Society, Child and Family Social Work, Cyberpsychology and Behaviour, Psychology Teaching and Learning Journal
Consultancy
- Co-ordinator of the Department of Psychology Consultancy Training Unit www.beds.ac.uk/ctu
- Making Research Count
- Education Doctorate Research Methods Training (Polhill Campus, Bedford)
- ODTU Staff Development
- Ethics Committee Member, UNILEVER, Colesworth, Bedfordshire (2009-2011)
- Advisor to Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire on evaluating their Autism strategy (2012-2017)
Recent Conference Presentations
- Roberts, P., McMurray, I., Ertubey, E and Roberston, I. (2011) The development of a Psychology student research community in the UK: A student evaluation. British Psychological Society Annual Conference. Glasgow. May 2011 (Oral Presentation)
- Roberts, P., McMurray, I., Ertubey, E and Roberston, I (2011) Psychology Students Evaluation of a research community in the UK. The 12th European Congress of Psychology. Istanbul, Turkey, July 2011. (Oral Presentation).
- McMurray, I and Nethercott, K (2011) Being a Dad: Father’s perception of fatherhood in a UK online community. (Poster Presentation).
- Gaitán, A, McMurray, I., Robertson, A., Roberts, P and Coughlin, A (2011) Understanding the students’ experiences of e-PDP and the factors that shape their attitudes. Epic 9th International Conference on e-portfolios and identity. July 2011 (Oral Presentation)
- Teoh, K., Robertson, I., McMurray, I and Hand, C (2011) Using e-feedback to improve student development and staff efficiency. University of Bedfordshire Conference. July 2011. (Oral Presentation)
- Robertson, A., Roberts, P., McMurray, I and Ingram, J (2011) Assessing the impact of an embedded information skills programme. University of Bedfordshire Conference. July 2011. (Oral Presentation)
- McMurray, I, Roberts, P, Scott, E and Kumar, A (2010) Assessment Centres: A teaching method to enhance employability. University of Bedfordshire Conference 2010: Bridging the Gaps. Luton. England (oral presentation)
- Guppy, A., McMurray, I., Heidel, V. & Preston-Shoot, M. (2010). Systematic review of interventions within clients with long-standing alcohol problems and housing needs. University of Bedfordshire Conference 2010: Bridging the Gaps. Luton. England. (oral presentation)
- Gaitán, A, McMurray, I , Roberts P., Robertson, A and Coughlin A (2010) Reflecting on reflection: Challenges and possible solutions. University of Bedfordshire Conference 2010: Bridging the Gaps. Luton. England (oral presentation)
- Robertson, S.I., Roberts, P., McMurray, I., Teoh, K., Sochos, A. (2010) Research informed Teaching in the Psychology Curriculum: An Initial Evaluation, PLAT 2010 Conference. Edinburgh Napier University, 30 June-2 July 2010 (oral presentation).
- Nethercott, K and McMurray, I (2009) Perceptions of Fatherhood and Father Involvement: How do Fathers Perceive their Children would rate their involvement. BPS Developmental Psychology Conference. 10th September 2009, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England (oral presentation)
- Scott, E., Harrison, P., Roberts, P and McMurray, I (2009) Sharing the journey of embedding careers and employability skills within the Psychology curriculum. AGCAS Biennial Conference. 8th September 2009. Brunel University, London. England. (oral presentation)
- McMurray, I and Roberts, P (2009) Assessment Centres: A teaching method to enhance employability. 11th European Congress of Psychology, Oslo, Norway (poster presentation)
- McMurray, I ., Roberts, P., Robertson I, Gaitain, A (2008) Embedding the Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment. 3rd International Conference on Teaching of Psychology. St. Petersburg, Russia (oral presentation)
- McMurray, I., Connolly, H., Preston-Shoot, M. and Wigley, V (2008) Shards of the old looking glass: Restoring the significance of identity constructions in promoting positive outcomes for looked after children. July 2008: Care Matters: Transforming Lives – Improving Outcomes Conference. Incorporating the 8th International Looking After Children Conference. Keeble College, Oxford, 7-9th July 2008. (oral presentation)
- McMurray, I ., Roberts, P., Robertson I, Gaitán, A (2008) ' Embedding Employment into the Psychology Undergraduate Curriculum (CETL Funded Project). Higher Education Academy Psychology Network Conference. (oral presentation)
- McMurray, I ., Roberts, P., Robertson I, Gaitán, A (2008) 'The Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment’ (CETL Funded Project). University of Bedfordshire Teaching and Learning Symposium – 17th June 2008 (oral presentation)
- Connolly, H and McMurray, I (2007) How separated children living in the UK interpret the rights enshrined within the UN CRC relative to their asylum and resettlement experiences. International Conference on The migration of unaccompanied minors in Europe. Poitiers, France. 10th-11th October 2007 (oral presentation)
Recent Publications
- Roberts, P., Ertubey, C., McMurray, I., Robertson, I. (in press, 2012) The development of a Psychology student research community: A student evaluation. Teaching of Psychology
- Robertson, A., McMurray, I., Roberts, P and Ingram, J. (2012) Embedding a curriculum-based information literacy programme at the University of Bedfordshire. Journal of Pedagogic Development. 1 (2) 4-10
- McMurray, I., Connolly, H., Preston-Shoot, M. and Wigley, V. (2011) Shards of the old looking glass: Restoring the significance of identity constructions in promoting positive outcomes for looked after children. Child and Family Social Work, 16, 210-218
- McMurray, I., Roberts, P.,Robertson, S.I. and Teoh, K. (2011) An Action Research Project exploring the Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment. Psychology Teaching Review
- Robertson, I., Teoh, K., McMurray, I., Roberts, P and Sochos, A. (2011) Research Informed Learning In The Psychology Curriculum: An Initial Evaluation. Psychology Learning and Teaching Journal 10 (2) 84-94.
- Preston-Shoot, M., Wigley, V., McMurray, I. and Connolly, H. (2011) Researching young people’s outcomes in children’s services: findings from a longitudinal study. Journal of Social Work
- Short, E and McMurray I (2009) Mobile Phone Harassment: An Exploration of Student’s perceptions of Intrusive Texting Behaviour. Human Technology Vol 5 (2) 163-180.
- McMurray, I., Connolly, H., Preston-Shoot, M. and Wigley, V (2008) Constructing Resilience: Social Workers’ Understandings and Practice. Health and Social Care in the Community Special Edition: Health and Social Care Needs of Children and Young People. Vol 16 (3) 299-309.
- Preston-Shoot, M., Wigley, V., McMurray, I. and Connolly, H. (2008) Reflections on ethical research in action: working at the practice edge. Ethics and Social Welfare 2 (2), 150-171.
- Connolly, H and McMurray, I (2007) 'Hear me!: A participatory project exploring how unaccompanied asylum seeking children in the United Kingdom conceptualise their experiences next to the provisions of the CRC' International Juvinelle Justice Observatory
Book/s Chapters
- McMurray, I. and Roberts, P., with Robertson, S.I. and Teoh, K.(2010) Embedding Employability Skills into the Psychology Undergraduate Curriculum in Atlay (2010) Creating Bridges: A collection of articles relating to the implementation of the Curriculum Review 2008 (CRe8) from practioners across the University of Bedfordshire.
- Hinton, P., Brownlow, C., McMurray, I & Cozens, B (2004) SPSS Explained. London: Routledge.
Research Reports
- McMurray, I., Roberts, P and Teoh, K (2010) Facilitating the employability of Psychology students. (CETL Funded Project). University of Bedfordshire
- McMurray, I ., Roberts, P., Robertson I, Gaitán, A (2009) The Psychology Degree: Transitions to Employment. (CETL Funded Project). University of Bedfordshire
- Guppy, A., McMurray, I., Heidel, V. & Preston-Shoot, M. (2009). Systematic review of interventions within clients with long-standing alcohol problems and housing needs. HSS Research Report. Luton: University of Bedfordshire
- Preston-Shoot, M., McMurray, I., Wigley, V and Connolly, H (2007) Research on Outcomes and Settings of Looked after children –Stage 2 – Phase 2 Report.
- Preston-Shoot, M., McMurray, I., Wigley, V and Connolly, H (2007) Research on Outcomes and Settings of Looked after children –Stage 2 – Phase 1 Interim Report.
- McMurray, I and Dallas, D (2005) Young Parents consultation on housing and related support needs. Luton Primary Care Trust.
- Kitchner, L, Roberts, P and McMurray, I (2005) SETFIRE- SET Females SET Females in Information & Digital Technologies Degrees Retention and Evaluation. Department for Education and Skill.
- Roberts, P, McMurray, I Robertson I (2005) 'Enhancing the Quality of the Undergraduate Learning Experience: A follow up study’ (HEFCE Teaching & Learning funded Project).
- Worrell, M, McMurray, I, Roberts, P (2005) 'Enhancing the Quality of the Undergraduate Learning Experience’ (HEFCE Teaching & Learning funded Project).
- Ellis K., McMurray I. Melrose M and Preston-Shoot M with Brownlow C., Chater A., Dallas T. (2004) Mapping Needs, Supporting Peoples Programme in Luton: A research report. Luton Borough Council
- Ellis K., McMurray I. and Preston-Shoot M with Brownlow C., Chater A., Dallas T and Melrose, M (2004) Mapping Need. Supporting People Programme. Bedfordshire County Council.
Other Publications/Invited Talks
- McMurray, I and Roberts, P (2011) Using Assessment Centres as a method to enhance student employability. Psychology Network Newsletter
- April 2008: McMurray, I and Baldwin M. Small Sample sizes (2008). Talk to the BPS PSYPAG Statistics and Computers Workshop. Nottingham University. mscs.bps.org.uk/mscs/postgraduate-workshop/postgraduate-workshop
- May 2007: McMurray, I & Connolly, H (2007) Reflecting on Social Workers Perceptions of resilience: Implications for the assessment of mental health. University College Northampton Psychology Department.
Contact Details
Luton campus
Park Square
Luton
LU1 3JU
T: +44 (0)1582 743128
E: isabella.mcmurray@beds.ac.uk
