The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Kayleigh's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Kayleigh
Associate Professor in Environmental Psychology
Kayleigh is a world-leading environmental psychologist. Her research focuses on how people engage with the natural world (in particular the aquatic world) and the impacts these have on both the individual (e.g impacting human health and wellbeing, and their connection to nature) and on the environment (e.g. through individual behaviour).
Supervised Research Degrees
Completed
- Christopher Wiles (P/T Psychology Dept. at the University of Surrey): Virtual reality nature for mental health: Acceptability, usability, efficacy, and development of a VR nature intervention. School-funded PhD Studentship, University of Surrey. 2017-2024 (DoS).
- Sohvi Nuojua (P/T Marine Sciences): Does Connectivity with Nature Alter Consumer Behaviour? Linking Ocean Connectedness and Consumer Views on Single-Use Packaging. Private sponsor. 2017-2023 (2nd supervisor as of Jan 2021).
- Christy E. Hehir (P/T Tourism Dept.): Beyond Good Intentions: Wildlife Tourism as a Driver of Emotion and Philanthropic Behaviour Change. ESRC PhD Studentship. 2016-2021 (3rd Supervisor).
- Pablo Pereira-Doel (F/T Tourism Dept.): Persuasive communication: an experiment on hotel guests’ values, inconvenience and smart water-saving technology. 2017-2021 (2nd Supervisor).
- Emma White (P/T Psychology Dept): Perceptions of Naturalness. 2012-2019 (2nd Supervisor as of Nov 2018).
In progress
- Alex Smith (F/T Psychology Dept): Virtually painless: An investigation into the therapeutic potential of virtual natural environments for chronic low back pain [working title]. Faculty of Health PhD studentship. Jan 2023- (DoS).
- Mark Newman (F/T Psychology Dept. at the University of Surrey): Using virtual reality environments to explore the role of physical properties and symbolic associations in recovery from boredom and stress [working title]. Self-funded. October 2017- (2nd Supervisor).
- Natalie Smith (F/T Plymouth Marine Laboratory): Butt Out: A transdisciplinary approach in understanding and addressing the risks of littered cigarette butts [working title]. NERC funded PhD studentship through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources. October 2022- (2nd supervisor).
- Becky Thomas (F/T School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey): Introduction and evaluation of a workplace simulator (‘AMRSim’) to improve the understanding and implementation of infection control by staff working in small animal veterinary practices [working title]. Zoetis funded PhD studentship. April 2022- (3rd supervisor).
- Tim Sykes (P/T Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton): Investigating the cultural contributions from chalk streams and their winterbournes and aquifers [working title]. Environment Agency & Wildlife Trust funded PhD Studentship. October 2019- (3rd external supervisor).
Teaching
- World events - The role of psychology in environmental issues (PSYC002)
- Environmental Psychology - the impact the physical world has on us (PSYC423)
- Psychology and the Natural World (PSYC604 / 609 / 706)
- Dissertation supervision (PSYC605 / 707 / 781 / 783)
Contact Kayleigh
B219, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 584847
kayleigh.wyles@plymouth.ac.uk