Dr Arianna Prudenzi

School of Psychology

Lecturer in Psychology

a.prudenzi@sheffield.ac.uk
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences (ICOSS)

Full contact details

Dr Arianna Prudenzi
School of Psychology
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences (ICOSS)
219 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
Profile

I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology (BSc Hons) and a two-year MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology (cum laude), which included an additional clinical year, at La Sapienza University of Rome and the defense of a thesis under the "Percorso d’Eccellenza" (Excellence Track), an honour reserved for outstanding research. In 2015, I was a Visiting Scholar at the Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University. In 2016/2017, I completed a EU Erasmus Plus research experience at University College Dublin Contextual Behavioural Science (CBS) lab. I obtained my PhD from the University of Leeds with a thesis entitled “Mental Health and Burnout in Healthcare Professionals: Exploring the Role of Psychological Flexibility” in 2021. Subsequently, I took up a Research Fellow post at the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. In 2022, I was an ESRC Post-Doc Fellow (University of Birmingham), and in 2023, I began my Lectureship in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield.

Qualifications
  • Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • PhD in Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds
  • MSc in Clinical, Health and Community Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome
  • BSc Psychology of Cognitive Processes, La Sapienza University of Rome
Research interests

I am interested in the relationship between health and work, particularly in how we can maintain our health while working.

My research encompasses three main areas:

Designing and testing third-wave cognitive behaviour therapy approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, self-compassion) and interventions to improve the psychological (distress, burnout, worry, and rumination) and physical health of adults and young adults.

Exploring the effectiveness of novel, early-stage therapeutic approaches in improving mental health (e.g., distress, anxiety, and depression) in adults and young people.

Investigating preventive measures for work-related diseases through the promotion of healthy habits (such as good diet and exercise).

In my research, I collaborate with a diverse group of academics from various cultural backgrounds, non-academics, stakeholders, and charities.

Publications

Journal articles

Research group

Psychological Health

Grants

Recent or current grants:


1) ESRC-funded grant entitled ‘Addressing the mental health and productivity of health workers using contextual behavioural science’ (role: PI, award: £135,789.15);

2) Midlands-Engine funded grant entitled ‘MENTOR 2.0 intervention pilot intervention to improve mental health and productivity of workers within the large project ‘Mental Health and Productivity Pilot project (MHPP)’ (role: PI with senior Co-I, award: £60,000).

3) European-Union-funded grant entitled ‘“I Love My Emotions”: promuovere l’espressione adattiva delle emozioni negative attraverso l’inglese nei bambini e ragazzi oncologici del Gemelli (AGOP)’ to improve emotional regulation skills of children with cancer in hospital settings (role: PI, award: €14,024.69).

4) ESRC policy with Sealey Associates funded grant "EMPOWER: Experimental Medicine & Proactive Outreach in Youth Mental Health Early Response" (role: PI, award £5000).

5) BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) - University of Birmingham (role: PI, award: £1000, funding UKRI)

Teaching activities

Undergraduate:

  • PSY346 Research Project in Psychology
  • PSY217 Contemporary Issues in Psychology
  • PSY331 Extended Essay in Psychology


Postgraduate:

  • PSY6160 Research Projects in Psychology
  • PSY6121 Research Methods
  • PSY6232 Systematic reviews
Professional activities and memberships

Chartered member British Psychological Society (BPS)
Member Association for Contextual Behaviour Science (ACBS)

PhD Opportunities

PhD students interested in working with me are encouraged to contact me directly by email. I welcome collaborations and requests worldwide and equally value any inquiries about my ongoing work from associated stakeholders.

Current PhD students:

  • Tuba Kurt - Thesis title: 'Understanding Gender Differences in The Prevalence of Depression During Puberty' (co-supervisor, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham)
  • Yang Pu - Thesis title: 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Reducing Psychological Distress and Enhancing Mental Well-Being of Chinese International University Students' (co-supervisor, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham)

We advertise PhD opportunities (Funded or Self-Funded) on FindAPhD.com

See PhD studentship opportunities with Arianna Prudenzi

For further information, please see the department PhD Opportunities page.