Dr Kayleigh Wyles
Profiles

Dr Kayleigh Wyles

Associate Professor in Psychology

School of Psychology (Faculty of Health)

Associate Professor in Environmental Psychology

Qualifications

2014  PhD in Psychology & Marine Biology, University of Plymouth, UK (ESRC / NERC Joint PhD Studentship)
2010  MSc in Research Methods in Psychology, University of Surrey, UK
2009  BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK

Professional membership

IAPS (International Association People Environment Studies)

IAAP (International Association of Applied Psychology)
HEA (Higher Education Academy)

Key publications

Wyles KJ, White MP, Hattam C, Pahl S, King H & Austen M 2017 'Are Some Natural Environments More Psychologically Beneficial Than Others? The Importance of Type and Quality on Connectedness to Nature and Psychological Restoration' Environment and Behavior 51, (2) 111-143 , DOI Open access
Pahl S, Wyles KJ & Thompson RC 2017 'Channelling passion for the ocean towards plastic pollution' Nature Human Behaviour 1, (10) 697-699 , DOI Open access
Wyles KJ, Pahl S, Holland M & Thompson RC 2016 'Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities' Environment and Behavior , DOI Open access
View all publications

Research interests

My passion for the natural environment (especially marine environments) has long been engrained in both my professional and personal life. I’m interested in the relationship between humans and the natural world, which is reflected in both my research and teaching. This works broadly falls within one or more of the following themes:

The marine environment

Whilst 70% of the Earth consists of oceans and seas, this natural setting is often overlooked. Consequently, my research often looks at the human dimension of threats facing this environment (e.g. microplastics, marine litter, and overfishing), and people's use and experience of this natural setting. In order to address these global multidisciplinary topics, I have worked with economists, marine biologists, oceanographers, geographers, modellers, artists, and environmental scientists from a range of countries (including Brazil, Ecuador, Norway, USA, Chile, South Korea, and Sweden).

The influence of the environment on people

Experiencing nature can be therapeutic, restoring people's cognitive functioning and promoting their physical and mental health. I'm interested in exploring the mechanisms as to why nature (and especially coastal and marine settings) have these benefits, looking at the importance of connectedness to nature and place attachment, the type and quality of the environment, and the type of engagement we have with the environment.

The influence people have on the environment

Individuals can have a dramatic impact on the state of the natural environment, from their consumer choice, to everyday behaviours to political will. Within my work, I'm interested in understanding key drivers of behaviour and behaviour change, including the role habits have, value orientation, knowledge and perceptions but also people's links to the environment such as childhood upbringing and connectedness to nature.

Application and impact

A key driver of all of this work is to be useful and applied locally, nationally, and internationally. Consequently, I am active in working with a range of stakeholders, from NGOs to advising decision makers, such as contributing to parliamentary enquiries and advising the United Nations through GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection).


Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Completed

Emma White (P/T Psychology Dept): Perceptions of Naturalness. Oct 2012-Feb 2019 (2nd Supervisor as of Nov 2018)

In progress

Christopher Wiles (P/T Psychology Dept.): The effects of virtual reality natural environments on depression and anxiety [working title]. School-funded PhD Studentship, University of Surrey. October 2017- (DoS)

Mark Newman (F/T Psychology Dept.): 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)

Pablo Pereira-Doel (F/T Tourism Dept.): Persuasive communication: an experiment on hotel guests’ values, inconvenience and smart water-saving technology. Oct 2017- (2nd Supervisor).

Christy E. Hehir (F/T Tourism Dept.): Beyond Good Intentions: Wildlife Tourism as a Driver of Emotion and Philanthropic Behaviour Change. ESRC PhD Studentship. October 2016- (3rd Supervisor)

Tim Sykes (P/T Biological Sciences): 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)


Grants & contracts

Ongoing

Gatersleben et al., (2020-2022). Counting birds and bees: promoting wellbeing of older people through engagement with nature-based conservation activities. Dunhill Medical Trust, £127,819.08 (Co-PI).

Gatersleben, B. et al., (2020-2021). Nature Engagement and Wellbeing Pre-, During and Post Covid-19: Supporting the UK (Green) Recovery. UKRI (ESRC) COVID-19, £201,482 (Co-PI). Post-doc: Emma White

Hepper, E., et al., (2020-2021). Don’t Judge Me, Greta: Narcissism and Environmental Defensiveness. British Academy / Leverhulme Small Research Grant, £9,978.20 (Co-PI)

Concluded

Wyles, K.J. & Gatersleben, B. (2020). Marine Litter Citizen Science Research Agenda - An Expert Perspective on Advancing the Citizen and the Science in Citizen Science. BBSRC Citizen Sci Exp Grant, £19,805 (PI). Post-doc: Matthew Peacock

Wyles, K.J. et al., (2019-20). Ocean LitterAcy (OLA) - Empowering society to combat marine litter through citizen science. Global Challenges Research Fund, £138,998 (PI). RAs: Larissa Kawabe, Thais Rech

Macdonald, A., et a., (2017-2019) AMRSim: A Microbial Reality Simulator. AHRC/AMR Indoor and Built Environment Pump Priming, £200,804 (Co-PI). Post-doc: Tom Kupfer; RA: Naomi Klepacz.

Beaumont, N. et al., (2016-2019). CoastWEB: Valuing the contribution which coastal habitats make to human health and well-being, with a focus on the alleviation of coastal natural hazards and extreme events. NERC-ESRC-AHRC Valuing Nature Programme, £252k (Co-PI).

Beaumont, N. et al., (2016-2019). MARine Plastic Pollution in the Arctic: origin, status, costs and incentives for Prevention. Forskerprosjekt – POLARPROG (Norwegian Fund), £89k (Co-PI)

Wyles, K. (2019). Blue Charter Fellowships - Specialist Mentor. The Association of Commonwealth Universities, £3,927.

Wyles, K. (2018). Travel Grant. Galapagos Conservation Trust, £800

Wyles, K.J. (2017-18). The Value of Bathing Waters and the Influence of Bathing Water Quality. Scottish Government Tender via Collingwood Environmental Planning Limited, £1,675.56 (consultancy).

Austen, M. et al., (2016-2017). New Plastics Economy. People’s Postcode Lottery Dreamfund, £100k (Co-PI).

Wyles, K. (2017). Examining the Psychological Benefits of Computer-Based and Coastal-Based Citizen Science Schemes. Faculty Research Support Fund, University of Surrey, £5.5k (PI)

Anderson, A. et al., (2015). Beating the micro-bead: Engaging people about microplastics in the marine environment. Institute for Sustainability Solutions Research Small Collaborative Awards, Plymouth University, £2.5k. (Co-PI)

Attrill, M. et al., (2013). The benefits of engaging with the Marine Centre at Wembury Beach. University of Plymouth Community Research Award, £9k. (Co-PI)


Key publications

Wyles KJ, White MP, Hattam C, Pahl S, King H & Austen M 2017 'Are Some Natural Environments More Psychologically Beneficial Than Others? The Importance of Type and Quality on Connectedness to Nature and Psychological Restoration' Environment and Behavior 51, (2) 111-143 , DOI Open access
Pahl S, Wyles KJ & Thompson RC 2017 'Channelling passion for the ocean towards plastic pollution' Nature Human Behaviour 1, (10) 697-699 , DOI Open access
Wyles KJ, Pahl S, Holland M & Thompson RC 2016 'Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities' Environment and Behavior , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Macdonald AS, Chambers MA, La Ragione R, Wyles K, Poyade M, Wales A, Klepacz N, Kupfer TR, Watson F & Noble S 2020 'Addressing Infection Risk in Veterinary Practice through the Innovative Application of Interactive 3D Animation Methods' The Design Journal 24, (1) 51-72 , DOI
Gatersleben B, Wyles KJ, Myers A & Opitz B 2020 'Why are places so special? Uncovering how our brain reacts to meaningful places' Landscape and Urban Planning 197, 103758-103758 , DOI
Abate TG, Börger T, Aanesen M, Falk-Andersson J, Wyles KJ & Beaumont N 2020 'Valuation of marine plastic pollution in the European Arctic: Applying an integrated choice and latent variable model to contingent valuation' Ecological Economics 169, 106521-106521 , DOI
Schofield J, Wyles KJ, Doherty S, Donnelly A, Jones J & Porter A 2020 'Object narratives as a methodology for mitigating marine plastic pollution: multidisciplinary investigations in Galápagos' Antiquity 94, (373) 228-244 , DOI
Rendón OR, Garbutt A, Skov M, Möller I, Alexander M, Ballinger R, Wyles K, Smith G, McKinley E & Griffin J 2019 'A framework linking ecosystem services and human well‐being: Saltmarsh as a case study' People and Nature 1, (4) 486-496 , DOI
McKinley E, Pagès JF, Wyles KJ & Beaumont N 2019 'Ecosystem services: A bridge or barrier for UK marine stakeholders?' Ecosystem Services 37, 100922-100922 , DOI
Kupfer TR, Wyles KJ, Watson F, La Ragione RM, Chambers MA & Macdonald AS 2019 'Determinants of hand hygiene behaviour based on the Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour' Journal of Infection Prevention 20, (5) 232-237 , DOI
Wyles KJ, Pahl S, Carroll L & Thompson RC 2019 'An evaluation of the Fishing For Litter (FFL) scheme in the UK in terms of attitudes, behavior, barriers and opportunities' Marine Pollution Bulletin 144, 48-60 , DOI Open access
Beaumont NJ, Aanesen M, Austen MC, Börger T, Clark JR, Cole M, Hooper T, Lindeque PK, Pascoe C & Wyles KJ 2019 'Global ecological, social and economic impacts of marine plastic' Marine Pollution Bulletin 142, 189-195 , DOI
Pereira-Doel P, Font X, Wyles K & Pereira-Moliner J 2019 'Showering smartly. A field experiment using water-saving technology to foster pro-environmental behaviour among hotel guests' e-Review of Tourism Research 17, (3) 407-425
Wyles KJ, White MP, Hattam C, Pahl S, King H & Austen M 2017 'Are Some Natural Environments More Psychologically Beneficial Than Others? The Importance of Type and Quality on Connectedness to Nature and Psychological Restoration' Environment and Behavior 51, (2) 111-143 , DOI Open access
Pahl S, Wyles KJ & Thompson RC 2017 'Channelling passion for the ocean towards plastic pollution' Nature Human Behaviour 1, (10) 697-699 , DOI Open access
Anderson KJ 2016 'Microplastics in personal care products: Exploring perceptions of environmentalists, beauticians and students' Marine Pollution Bulletin , DOI Open access
Pahl S & Wyles KJ 2016 'The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment' Analytical Methods 9, (9) 1404-1411 , DOI Open access
Wyles KJ, Pahl S, Holland M & Thompson RC 2016 'Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities' Environment and Behavior , DOI Open access
Walker-Springett K, Jefferson R, Böck K, Breckwoldt A, Comby E, Cottet M, Hübner G, Le Lay Y-F, Shaw S & Wyles K 2016 'Ways forward for aquatic conservation: Applications of environmental psychology to support management objectives' Journal of Environmental Management 166, 525-536 , DOI
Wyles KJ, Pahl S, Thomas K & Thompson RC 2015 'Factors That Can Undermine the Psychological Benefits of Coastal Environments: Exploring the Effect of Tidal State, Presence, and Type of Litter' Environment and Behavior , DOI Open access
Wyles KJ, Pahl S & Thompson RC 2014 'Perceived risks and benefits of recreational visits to the marine environment: Integrating impacts on the environment and impacts on the visitor' Ocean & Coastal Management 88, 53-63 , DOI
Wyles K, Pahl S, White M, Morris S, Cracknell DA & Thompson RC 2013 'Towards a Marine Mindset: Visiting an aquarium can improve attitudes and intentions regarding marine sustainability' Visitor Studies 16, 95-110 , DOI