Alasdair has been a research tutor at OXICPTR since September 2021. Alasdair is also currently an NIHR pre-doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, where he is focusing on addressing ethnic inequalities in NHS psychological therapy services. In addition he works clinically in Buckinghamshire Older People’s Psychological Services.
Alasdair completed his undergraduate degree in History at the University of Cambridge in 2009. After working in homelessness services in London, he undertook an MSc in Experimental Psychology at the University of Sussex, before qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 2017 from University College London.
Alasdair’s research interests include psychological therapy with and by people from minoritised ethnicities, history, homelessness, and all aspects of psychological work with older adults.
In his work on psychological therapy with people from minoritised ethnicities, Alasdair has been developing theoretical understandings of factors affecting therapists’ work in this area. He has also led on the development and piloting of a Self-Practice/Self-Reflection programme for CBT therapists from minoritised ethnicities. He hopes that this body of research will contribute to improved practice within the psychological professions around issues relating to ethnic diversity.
During his NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship (PCAF) with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, Alasdair's research focuses on addressing ethnic inequalities in NHS psychological therapy services. Building on his existing research, he aims to investigate why and how to incorporate an awareness of history into effective psychological therapy with people from racialised minorities. Historical awareness is crucial as past racial traumas continue to affect present-day experiences and attitudes towards healthcare.
In his work with people experiencing homelessness he carried out the first published research into links between autism and homelessness, showing that autistic people may be over-represented among the homeless population. Since publishing that research, he led on the development of the Autism & Homelessness Toolkit, a guidance document about autism for workers in the homelessness field, created in collaboration with organisations such as the National Autistic Society and St Mungo’s. He continues to develop psychological research and best practice in homelessness, collaborating with individuals and organisations at a national and international level.
