I am an ambitious PhD student with a passion for advocacy work. My primary research interest is in early life experiences and childhood rearing practices. My research to date has explored the health and social impact of early life adversity. I have a profound interest in improving standards of social care and am an active member of several groups which aim to improve standards of care for looked after children. Over the last two years, I have been awarded the Greater Manchester Higher Education Award and Care Leaver of the Year Award by Wigan social services, in recognition my academic achievements and continuing efforts to improve the lives and prospects of others who are in care or care-experienced. I enjoy actively raising awareness of the care system as demonstrated by my media contributions in The Guardian and on the BBC.
Research interests: affective touch, somatosensory systems, trauma, stress, childhood rearing practices, developmental neuropsychology, developmental outcomes of children in care and care leavers.
Languages
English
Degrees
2020, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, MSc, Brain and Behaviour
2019, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, BSc, Psychology
Highlighted publications
Devine SL, Walker SC, Makdani A, Stockton ER, McFarquhar MJ, McGlone FP, Trotter PD. 2020. Childhood Adversity and Affective Touch Perception: A Comparison of United Kingdom Care Leavers and Non-care Leavers. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Journal article
Kidd T, Dferevine SL, Walker SC. 2022. Affective Touch and Regulation of Stress Responses. Health Psychology Review, :1-50 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Devine SL, Walker SC, Makdani A, Stockton ER, McFarquhar MJ, McGlone FP, Trotter PD. 2020. Childhood Adversity and Affective Touch Perception: A Comparison of United Kingdom Care Leavers and Non-care Leavers. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Report
Devine S. WELLBEING AND NURTURE: PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SECURITY IN CHILDHOOD WELLBEING AND NURTURE: PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SECURITY IN CHILDHOOD Author Url