New award marks 50 years of Psychology at the University of Plymouth

The prize fondly remembers Dr Nicola Weston

Nicola Weston with her parents at graduation in 2001

New award marks 50 years of Psychology at the University of Plymouth

The prize fondly remembers Dr Nicola Weston

Weston family

21 July 2026

The University of Plymouth is awarding a new graduation prize this year in memory of a psychology expert who was passionate and dedicated to her profession.

Marking 50 years since the subject was first taught at Plymouth, the Dr Nicola Weston and British Psychological Association prize will be given to the graduate who completes the best Developmental Psychology Project.

Nicola studied at Plymouth from 1998-2006, and her family chose to give the prize in her memory to pay tribute to the institution that sparked her love of the subject. She sadly passed away in July 2023, aged 44.

Weston family

Nicola completed her undergraduate, masters, and PhD at Plymouth, and had the most amazing experience.

As a family we wanted to set up the award to reflect how her time at Plymouth helped shape her passion for research and learning which she continued throughout her life.

Nicola's sister, Karen Burdett

Celebrating the next generation of psychologists

During her time at Plymouth, Nicola met her husband Nathan Baranowski, and they went on to have two sons, Dylan and Isaac.

Weston family

After having children, Nicola’s passion for Psychology moved from books and theory to the real world – through the development of her children and the relationship between the mind and nutrition, where she went on to take a course in Naturopathy. During her Psychology career she worked and taught at universities across the UK, and her love of travel saw her attend and lecture at conferences around the world including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Canada.

She always said ‘understanding the mind helps you make sense of the world around us – why we feel and think the way we do’.

Research and learning really were her passions.

Nicola's husband, Nathan Baranowski

Weston family

Nicola was so passionate about her own children’s learning and development and she encouraged the same love of learning in the students she taught throughout her career – she celebrated their achievements as if they were her own.

We as a family are so proud of her and we know she would love the thought of helping celebrate the next generation of psychologists and researchers at the start of their journey.

We’ll look forward to seeing the first student receive the prize when they complete their masters later this year.

Nicola's sister, Karen Burdett

50 years of outstanding teaching

Nicola’s award coincides with half a century of Psychology teaching at the University of Plymouth, and a group of 40 past students came to campus to celebrate and inspire future graduates.

Celebration marking 50 years of psychology at the University of Plymouth

Psychology alumni from the past 50 years

New Psychology alumni graduating this week

As one of the largest and best resourced psychology departments in the UK, we cover all areas of the discipline, and provide opportunities to students from lots of different backgrounds and interests.

It’s wonderful to know that Nicola went right through from undergraduate to PhD with us and had a great experience and career.

We’re very grateful to her family for remembering her with an award, and know that her love of learning will be reflected in everyone who receives it.

It’s also been great to meet some of our alumni at the celebration event, as their stories and journeys after graduating have varied from the NHS to criminal justice.

Psychology really can open doors, and we’re very proud of everyone who comes here to study.

Professor Jeremy Goslin
Head of School of Psychology

From Beryl Cook to boosting careers

Roger Hutchinson was in the first cohort of Psychology students who graduated in 1976 and attended the celebration event on the University’s city centre campus.

After a career that took him from occupational psychology to multisensory research and the NHS, he has spent the last 23 years working as a practitioner with Forensic Psychology Practice Ltd (FPP).

Psychology alumni, Roger Hutchinson

I’m originally from York and ultimately came to study in Plymouth as they gave me a great chance. As I applied quite late, I remember staying at Beryl Cook’s guest house for four weeks when I first arrived!

I’d say to any students that studying psychology gives you a thorough grounding in trying to understand what makes people ‘tick’ – and you can apply that to any career working with people.

Make sure you get some work experience alongside your role and understand the many options available to you career wise too.

Psychology alumni, Roger Hutchinson

I was originally from Brighton and wanted to do something that made a difference to people’s lives, and had a great time on the course at Plymouth.

After graduating, I was chasing a careers advisor role, and after working in local authorities all over the UK, I used my interest in psychometrics to develop and implement aptitude tests in career guidance. I also did some work with local media as a sort of ‘agony uncle’ for careers advice, which I did for a long time afterwards!

One thing I found throughout my career, which took me all over the UK, is that roles based within the South West are incredibly collegiate. It’s a wonderful part of the country, and I wish all future students great success.

Chris Jolliffe, another Psychology alumnus from the very first cohort in 1976

More information

Study Psychology at the University of Plymouth

Five postgraduate students walking by the sea on Plymouth Hoe (full bleed)

Read about postgraduate study

Alumni friends return for a reunion tour of the campus.

Our alumni - always part of the Plymouth family