Dr Sarita Robinson

Sarita is also passionate about science communication and undertakes extensive public engagement work.

Sarita joined the University in September 2005 as a Lecturer after completing her PhD in Cognitive and Neuroimmune Responses to Threat at Lancaster University. Sarita has made an active contribution to the School and across the University, taking on leadership roles such as Course Leader for the BSc Psychology programme, chairing a university-wide Ethics Board, and contributing to the University’s Athena Swan application. After working as the Deputy Head within the School of Psychology and Computer Science, Sarita was promoted to her current role as Associate Dean for the School of Psychology and Humanities in August 2023.

Sarita is passionate about enhancing the student experience and ensuring that all students succeed, regardless of their backgrounds. She provides strategic leadership across the School to ensure that all students are able to benefit from the opportunities that higher education offers. Sarita also provides leadership regarding curriculum design and teaching for the School and works closely with colleagues to implement appropriate pedagogic strategies. Sarita has oversight of the School’s Early Interventions Strategy and Retention Programme and works closely with colleagues to ensure students have an excellent student experience. Sarita also chairs the School’s Teaching and Learning group and leads on EDI strategy implementation.

In addition to her leadership role, Sarita maintains an active research portfolio with her research interests broadly located within the domain of health and cognitive psychology, focusing on the impact of acute environmental events on health and well-being, with a specific interest in human responses to life-threatening events. Sarita has a special interest in decision-making under pressure and has undertaken research with, and delivered training to, firefighters.

Sarita is passionate about public engagement and promoting the public understanding of science. Sarita can often be found giving talks to the public at all types of events (such as science fiction conventions, Nerd Nite) and summer festivals (such as The Bushcraft Show, Burning Women Festival, Lancashire Science Festival), as well as appearing in podcasts and on the radio. In addition, Sarita is frequently asked to appear on both national and international news programmes to comment on psychological responses to disaster situations. Sarita has made TV appearances, acting as a psychology expert, on shows such as BBC Breakfast and This Morning. Sarita has also worked as a TV expert on Channel 4’s From Hell series and the Dave TV show Comedians Giving Lectures, as well as working on documentaries such as National Geographic/Disney’s Surviving Pompeii and Channel 5’s Great Fire of London. Sarita is a frequent contributor to The Conversation website, with her article on tiredness during lockdown being read by over half a million people. Sarita has contributed to a number of popular science textbooks, including Science of Superheroes, which aims to engage young adults with STEM subjects.