About

Biography

I’m an academic psychologist in the Dept of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, where my group researches mental health and social development in adolescence. We are most known for our focus on the unintended consequences of mental health awareness, in schools and society more broadly. My group’s work has been featured on BBC2’s Newsnight and BBC Radio 4’s Analysis, and in The Economist, The Times, The New York Times and The Atlantic.

For a flavour of the ideas driving our work, see this academic paper proposing that there might be downsides to mental health awareness, and this very short paper saying something similar in fewer words. For an article written with general audiences in mind, see this think piece. Take a look here for more detail about my research group.

I also talk and write in the mainstream media about adolescent mental health and adolescence more broadly, and my articles have appeared in The Guardian, New Scientist and Wall Street Journal. See a full list of interviews, articles and podcast appearances here.

My first book, What Mental Illness Really Is (…and what it isn’t), focuses on the rise of mental health problems in society, and the possible contributing role of mental health awareness efforts. My second book, Coming Of Age: How Adolescence Shapes Us, focuses on the power of adolescent memories and the stories we tell ourselves about our formative years. See here for more detail about my books.