Dr Jenny Porritt BSc (Hons), PG Cert, MSc, PhD, C.Psychol, FHEA

Professional Profile

I am a HCPC-registered Health/Practitioner Psychologist, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS). I also serve as a BPS-registered Applied Psychology Practice Supervisor (RAPPS). Currently, I am a Senior Lecturer and Assistant Course Director for the MSc in Health Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University.

Early Career & Education My journey began with an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2001, followed by a Masters in Health Psychology at the University of Sussex in 2002. I spent the subsequent five years working with diverse client groups, including older adults, people with learning difficulties and disabilities, and individuals facing mental health challenges. During this period, I gained significant experience within the NHS delivering brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based interventions to people experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Concurrently, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Care Mental Health Practice, solidifying my expertise in delivering psychological support within general practice settings.

Research & Doctoral Studies Driven by a passion for the psychology of health and illness, I joined the University of Sheffield in 2007 to undertake a PhD investigating the psychosocial impact of dental injuries in children and families. During my doctoral studies, I also completed the Stage 2 Doctoral qualification in Health Psychology. After completing my PhD in January 2010, I continued my work as a researcher at the University of Sheffield, leading projects spanning anxiety assessment and management, the psychosocial impact of life stressors and health conditions, and health service evaluation.

Current Roles & Leadership In 2012, I joined Sheffield Hallam University as a Lecturer in Psychology. I have since progressed to my current role as Senior Lecturer and Assistant Course Director for the MSc in Health Psychology. In addition to my teaching duties, I serve as Co-Lead for Research Support and Development at the Institute of Social Sciences (IoSS) (2022–2026). In this capacity, I provide strategic leadership to foster an inclusive research culture through initiatives such as writing retreats, skills development workshops, and a mentorship programme.

My dedication to research training is evidenced by the successful supervision of over 30 MSc students and two PhD candidates to completion, alongside my current role as Director of Studies for three active PhD students. I have also served as a supervisor for the BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology and acted as an External Examiner for King's College London (2021–2024), ensuring the rigour and quality of postgraduate assessment. I actively undertake consultancy and contract research, committed to developing impactful research and facilitating robust knowledge exchange to benefit wider society.