Dr Heather Sutherland

Teaching

I teach on the York St John University Psychology Foundation Year Course.

I teach on the module:

• PSY3004M - Contemporary Debates in Psychological Science

I contribute to the module:

• PSY3006M - Extended Project

Research

My current research focuses on qualitative and interdisciplinary explorations of mental health and wellbeing experiences (particularly those of students and staff in UK Higher Education settings). My research draws on a lived(ing) experience lens/perspective developed following the loss of my brother to suicide. I am also qualitatively interested in the personal emotional work, experiences and support needs of researchers conducting work in the broad area that is mental health-related research.

Publications and conferences

Journal Articles

Dietz, et al. (2023) ‘The impact of parent treatment preference and other factors on recruitment: lessons learned from a paediatric epilepsy randomised controlled trial.’ Trials. 24, 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07091-9

Sutherland, H. (2013). ‘‘Trousered’ and ‘Sexless’ at the BBC: Women Light Entertainment Makers in the 1970s and 1980s’. Journal of British Cinema and Television, 10(3), 650-663. https://doi.org/10.3366/jbctv.2013.0163

Sutherland, H. (2011). ‘“Embedded Actors” as Markers of Authenticity: Acting the Real in “Troubles” Docudramas’, Studies in Documentary Film, 4(3), 267-282. https://doi.org/10.1386/sdf.4.3.267_1

Sutherland, H. (2010). “It Ought To Be A Dream”: Archives and Establishing the History of BBC Light Entertainment Production, 1975-87. Critical Studies in Television, 5(2), 154–170. https://doi.org/10.7227/CST.5.2.18

Sutherland, H. (2010) ‘Competitive Writing: BBC ‘Public Service’ Television Light Entertainment and Comedy in the 1970s and 1980s’. Journal of Screenwriting, 2(1), 7-23. https://doi.org/10.1386/josc.2.1.7_1

Book Chapters

Bignell, J., Paget, D. J., Sutherland, H. A.and Taylor, L. (2011) ‘Narrativising the facts: acting in screen and stage docudrama’. In: Tönnies, M. and Flotmann, C. (eds.) Narrative in Drama. Contemporary Drama in English (18). Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier, Trier, pp. 21-52.

Sutherland, H. (2009). ‘The BBC: A Public Service Sound?’ in Harper, Graeme et al. (Eds). Sound and Music in Film and the Visual Media: An Overview. Continuum.

Other Publications

Sutherland, H. (2021). ‘Studying for a PhD as a parent,’ ‘Student Story.’ Vlog commissioned by Student Minds for Student Space. Available online at: https://studentspace.org.uk/wellbeing/studying-for-a-phd-as-a-parent

Sutherland, H. (2020). ‘Part 1 - Student-ing, Parenting and Locking Down During the COVID-19 Pandemic’. Blog post for Student Minds. Available online at: https://www.studentmindsblog.co.uk/2020/04/student-ing-parenting-and-locking-down.html

Sutherland, H. (2020). ‘Part 2 - Reflections on Student-ing and Parenting during the COVID-19 Pandemic.’ Blog post for Student Minds. Available online at: https://www.studentmindsblog.co.uk/2020/04/reflections-on-student-ing-and.html

Sutherland, H. (2019). ‘The Clef and the Hummingbird’ in Heilmann, L. (ed.) Still With Us: Voices of Sibling Suicide Loss Survivors.

Sutherland, H. (2017-present). S-A-S: Sibling After Suicide. Personal Blog. Available online at: https://sibsas.blogspot.com/?m=1

Sutherland, H. (2017). ‘Literature Review, meet personal knowledge…’ Blog post for netECR-International Network of Early Career Researchers in Suicide and Self-Harm. Available online at: https://netecr.org/2017/12/22/literature-review-meet-personal-knowledge/

Sutherland, H. (2016). ‘Why I Haven’t Cancelled Christmas After My Brother’s Suicide’ for The Mighty. Available online at: https://themighty.com/topic/suicide/celebrating-christmas-after-suicide-loss/

Select Conference Papers and Talks

December 2023 - Guest Lecture for ‘Media Methodologies’ Module in the Department of Arts. Northumbria University, UK.  Session given: ‘Mental Health and the Media’.

September 2023 - British Sociological Association, Medical Sociology Annual Conference. University of Sussex, UK. Paper: ‘Behind the Posts – Social Media and Undergraduate-Student Mental Health and Wellbeing.’

July 2023 - Guest Speaker for the PTMF-Education Special Interest Group.
Talk given: ‘Thinking Differently about ‘Student Mental Health and Wellbeing’ – Learning from Undergraduates’ Storied ‘University-Life’ Self-Reflections’.

May 2023 - Northumbria University Psychology Department ‘Research Lunch’ Seminar Series. Northumbria University, UK. Talk given: ‘Behind the Posts – Social Media and Undergraduate-Student Mental Health and Wellbeing.’

October 2022 - Guest Speaker for the Edge Hill University (UK) Centre for Teaching and Learning Professional Development Sessions Series. Talk given: ‘Examining Student Mental Health, Distress and Wellbeing Qualitatively: Preliminary Findings from an Elicited-Reflections Study’.

June 2022 - Centre for Death and Society Annual Conference. 
University of Bath, UK. Paper: ‘Grief, Loss and Academic Institutions – what can be learned from undergraduate experiences?’

May 2022 - Presentation to the SMaRteN (The Student Mental Health Research Network) ECR Research/Discussion Group. Presentation: ‘Examining Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Qualitatively.’

May 2021 - UKCGE 2nd International Conference on the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers. Title of discussion led: Acknowledging Student-Parents/Guardians as a Means to Supporting Wellbeing and Mental Health. 

June 2021 - ‘Motherhood and Work’ Conference.
University of Maynooth, Ireland. Paper: ‘‘Just a student’ - Reflections on Mothering and Studying During the COVID19 Pandemic.’

June 2017 - ‘Sociology and Intellectual Craftsmanship’: The Annual Manchester Postgraduate Sociology Conference. Manchester University, UK. Paper: ‘The ‘Martin Effect’: reflections on ‘emotional labor’ facets in qualitative suicide bereavement research.’