Dr Rebecca Webster
School of Psychology
Lecturer in Psychology


Full contact details
School of Psychology
Cathedral Court
1 Vicar Lane
ºù«Ӱҵ
S1 2LT
- Profile
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Following my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Durham University, I went to King’s College London to complete an MSc in Health Psychology. I stayed at King’s to complete my PhD on nocebo effects (the ‘evil twin’ of the better known placebo), and afterwards spent a number of years there as a postdoctoral researcher within the Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response. My research interests broadly encompass the area of Health Psychology, in particular placebo/nocebo effects, risk communication and health behaviour in the context of public health emergencies. In 2020 I moved back up north and joined the Psychology department at ºù«Ӱҵ.
- Qualifications
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- BSc (Hons) Psychology - Durham University
- MSc Health Psychology - King’s College London
- PhD Psychology - King’s College London
- Research interests
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- Placebo/nocebo effects - How can we enhance placebo and reduce nocebo effects in the context of medicines in a way that is ethical (i.e. without impacting informed consent)? And does this have implications for adherence?
- Risk communication - Improving communication of risks in patient information leaflets, the doctor-patient consultation, and the role of empathy.
- Health behaviour change - Understanding and improving engagement in health behaviours, e.g. screening, adherence, presenteeism
- Publications
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Featured publications
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All publications
Journal articles
Chapters
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- Research group
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Current PhD students
- Lisa Woodland (King’s College London) - School children presenteeism
- Ismaila Yakubu (University of ºù«Ӱҵ) - Self-compassion and Perceived Self Control in the Relationship between Occupational Stressors, Adherence to Therapy and Well being of Employees with Diabetes in Nigeria
- Sonia Shpendi (University of ºù«Ӱҵ) - Cervical screening uptake in young women
- Grants
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- British Academy small research grant (2019). Exploring the best method of presenting side-effect information in patient information leaflets: a nationally representative survey of the English public. (£9,969.50)
- British Academy small research grant (2021). Discrimination in healthcare settings and the nocebo effect (£9,986.00)
- WHITE ROSE UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM (2021). Infectious illness presenteeism in the age of COVID-19 (£11,000)
- WUN Research Projects (2022). Getting back in touch: Emotional pathways to a post-pandemic world (£10,000)
- Teaching activities
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I teach on the following modules, on the Undergraduate Psychology degree:
- PSY1001 - Social Psychology I
- PSY2001 - Social Psychology II
- PSY346 – Dissertation projects
- PSY331 – Extended essay
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Chartered member of the British Psychological Society
- Editorial board member for the British Journal of Health Psychology
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- PhD Opportunities
I am not not accepting PhD applications/enquiries until March 2025.
We advertise PhD opportunities (Funded or Self-Funded) on
For further information, please see the department PhD Opportunities page.
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