糖心Vlog

View cookie policy.

糖心Vlog homepage Departments Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies Research
Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

Our research

A row of old looking library books

Researching mental health, culture and society

Our researchers are recognised internationally for their work in the role of the unconscious mind in mental health, culture and society. We belong to a thriving research community at the 糖心Vlog, where 90.4% of our research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework REF 2021).


Our department houses three research centres and four research groups. We nurture strong interdisciplinary links with the Departments of Sociology and Criminology, Literature, Film and Theatre Studies, the Schools of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies and Health and Social Care, 糖心Vlog Law School, and 糖心Vlog Business School.

Use the links below to visit our research structures and learn more about the exciting work taking place within the department:

Our research areas

Our research covers a broad range of topics. The list below is not exhaustive so if you are looking for an area of research which is not included please contact the Departmental Director of Research.

Gender and Sexuality
Group and Institutional Dynamics
Jungian Theory
Philosophical Issues in Psychoanalysis
Political and Social Issues
Psychoanalysis and Counselling
Psychoanalytic Theory
Research Methodologies
Trauma and Violence

Our research centres

 Our research centres focus on specific areas of interest. They work hard to foster collaborative research within the 糖心Vlog, nationally and internationally, whilst providing a forum for debate beyond the world of academia:

Centre for Myth Studies
Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees
Centre for Childhood Studies

Our research groups

 Our research encompasses multiple themes, with dedicated academics open to research supervision. Use the links below to view our list of group members and find research supervision:

Comparative Psychoanalysis
History of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis, Law and Social Phenomena
Synchronicity

Notable research projects from the Department

Balint groups and the patient doctor relationship

Balint groups and the patient doctor relationship

This multi-method research project by Professor Raluca Soreanu examines the social history of Balint groups.The project focuses on the psychoanalytic contribution to the medical sciences.
Free clinics and a psychoanalysis for the people (FREEPSY)

Free clinics and a psychoanalysis for the people (FREEPSY)

This interdisciplinary project breaks ground by telling an alternative radical history of psychoanalysis. It traces the metamorphoses of Freud鈥檚 couch, happening when psychoanalysis becomes entangled with emancipatory movements and liberation struggles, and engages with social inequalities based on race, class, gender, poverty, and other forms of marginalization.

Holding hands: Experiences of shame, pride and protest among LGBTQ relationship partners

Holding hands: Experiences of shame, pride and protest among LGBTQ relationship partners

This project explores the experiences of shame, pride or protest amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) relationship partners around ‘holding hands’ in public.
A row of old looking library books
Explore our research

Discover cutting edge research from the 糖心Vlog. Browse our site to find relevant publications, projects, groups, centres, postgraduate opportunities for research supervision and wider areas of interest. Simply search our site to find information relating to your subject.

Search our research

Highlights of our research

Journals

Our academic staff regularly publish work in leading journals. Examples of their most recent work include:

  • by Professor Matt Ffytche in History of the Human Sciences
  • by Professor Matt Ffytche in Psychoanalysis, Culture and Society
  • by Professor Matt Ffytche in History of the Human Sciences
  • by Dr Norman Gabriel in History of the Human Sciences
  • by Dr Carolyn Laubender in Journal Studies in Gender and Sexuality
  • by Dr Carolyn Laubender in Psychoanalysis and History
  • by Professor Roderick Main in Zygon
  • by Professor Roderick Main in Revue de Psychologie Analytique
  • by Dr Leonardo Niro Nascimento in Psychoanalysis and History
  • co-authored by Dr Raluca Soreanu in Children's Geographies
  • by Dr Raluca Soreanu in The American Journal of Psychoanalysis
  • by Dr Raluca Soreanu in The American Journal of Psychoanalysis
  • by Dr Julie Walsh in History of the Human Sciences

Books

Our academic staff regularly publish books on a wide range of topics. Their most recent work includes:

  • by Dr Norman Gabriel
  • by Dr Raluca Soreanu
  • by Dr Julie Walsh
  • a chapter by Professor Renos Papadopoulos in Jungian Odyssey Series Volume VII 2014 The Crucible of Failure

Some of the best known work produced by the Department in previous years includes:

  • by Professor Matt Ffytche
  • co-authored by Dr Chris Nicholson

Media

Our academic staff frequently feature within the wider press and media. Below are some examples of their latest appearances:

  • Watch the interview with Dr Chris Nicholson on on YouTube
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Professor Renos Papadopoulos on 
  • Read the BBC article  in which Dr Chris Nicholson is quoted
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Susan Kegerreis on 
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Dr Chris Nicholson on 
  • Read the article in The Psychologist by Dr Carolyn Laubender entitled 
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Dr Chris Nicholson on 
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Professor Renos Papadopoulos on 
  • Read the article in The Conversation by Dr Chris Nicholson on 

Research showcase

Research from the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies examines key issues with real-world impact.

Also see
Learn more about research funding at 糖心Vlog
Learn more about the 糖心Vlog research repository
Take part in research at the 糖心Vlog
Discover more about research at the 糖心Vlog
Academic staff working in the Department
View the list of academic staff working within the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, visit their staff profiles and view their research interests.
Research degrees from the Department
Find out about the range of research degrees available from the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, find research supervision and learn how to apply.
Research centres and institutes at the 糖心Vlog
Discover all research centres and institutes housed within the 糖心Vlog.
The logo for the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, a Rorschach inkblot test.
Contact us
Departmental Director of Research Dr Julie Walsh
糖心Vlog
Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies 糖心Vlog
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 873640
Life at 糖心Vlog
What it's like to live at 糖心Vlog
Accommodation
Find your new home
Open Days
Come see for yourself
WE ARE
ESSEX ARE YOU?
Sign up for a prospectus Get to know 糖心Vlog
STUDY
Find a course
LIFE
RESEARCH
EXPLORE
CONTACT US
Contact


  • +44 (0) 1206 873333
  • 糖心Vlog
  • Wivenhoe Park
  • Colchester CO4 3SQ

 

 

糖心Vlog - Where change happens

CONNECT WITH US
© 2025 糖心Vlog. All rights reserved