Dr Heather Clements is a Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. She completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2013 and an MSc in Psychological Research Methods in 2015, both at the University of Sunderland. Heather received her PhD from the University of the West of Scotland in 2022. Her PhD work was conducted in collaboration with the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute and involved a mixed methods examination of the role of companion animals in human well-being, focusing on the influence of ornamental fishes. Prior to and during her PhD, Heather also worked as a Research Assistant on projects relating to public health and pedagogy.

Heather's research interests are largely within the field of interspecies relations and green/blue spaces. Specifically, Heather is interested in how interactions between humans and companion animals influence our wellbeing and their welfare, as well as whether exposure to restorative environments (e.g., natural or urban green spaces) may affect human cognition and well-being. She is currently working on developing a programme of research regarding social identification with animals. 

Heather is currently the module leader for Quantitative Research in Psychology (Level 7) and Psychological Research Design and Analysis (Level 4). She also contributes to teaching on Conducting Research in Psychology (Level 5), Development, Cognitive Processes and Disorders (Level 5), Psychopathologies and Individual Differences (Level 5 and 7), Biological and Social Psychology (Level 5 and 7), and Applied Quantitative Research Methods (Level 7). Heather supervises dissertations at Level 6 and Level 7, and is a Course Leader for MSc Psychology and MSc Applied Psychology (January intakes).