Dr Oliver Lovick
Academic and research departments
Clinical Intervention and Practice Research Group, School of Psychology.About
My research project
Understanding the experience of being a working class clinical psychologist: a thematic analysisHistorically research has focused on social class inequalities in a variety of areas such as health, education and mental wellbeing. Yet, there is a lack of research looking at the working class experience of being a Clinical Psychologist. With a current spotlight being placed on social inequalities in society (as well as in the profession), my research project aims to understand the working class experience of being a Clinical Psychologist. An increase in clinical psychology training places creates a critical decision point regarding opportunity for change versus maintenance of class inequalities in the profession. The proposed study will make a novel contribution to current literature by completing semi-structured interviews with 15-25 individuals who self-identify as working class, in order to gain a fuller insight into the subjective experience of class in clinical psychology. A thematic analysis will be completed to identify common experiences amongst the participant group. These findings will contribute to an area of research that aims to diversify the profession and create a class-representative workforce, one that is well equipped to support the working class individual.
Supervisors
Historically research has focused on social class inequalities in a variety of areas such as health, education and mental wellbeing. Yet, there is a lack of research looking at the working class experience of being a Clinical Psychologist. With a current spotlight being placed on social inequalities in society (as well as in the profession), my research project aims to understand the working class experience of being a Clinical Psychologist. An increase in clinical psychology training places creates a critical decision point regarding opportunity for change versus maintenance of class inequalities in the profession. The proposed study will make a novel contribution to current literature by completing semi-structured interviews with 15-25 individuals who self-identify as working class, in order to gain a fuller insight into the subjective experience of class in clinical psychology. A thematic analysis will be completed to identify common experiences amongst the participant group. These findings will contribute to an area of research that aims to diversify the profession and create a class-representative workforce, one that is well equipped to support the working class individual.