Dr Clare Uytman (MA, MSc, PhD, CPsychol) is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education. She is also an Associate member of the Centre for Applied Social Science.
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Funded Projects
- Teaching & Learning
- Activities & Awards
I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Queen Margaret University, where I have worked since 2006. My teaching and research are grounded in Social and Qualitative Psychology, with a strong focus on lived experience and applied contexts. I have previously held the position of Programme Leader for both the Master of Research and BSc (Hons) Psychology at QMU.
My academic journey began with an MA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Glasgow (2003), followed by an MSc in Health Psychology at QMU (2004). While working as a Psychology Technician at QMU, I completed my PhD, Living with Limb Loss: Individuals’ and Prosthetists’ Perceptions of Amputation, Prosthesis Use and Rehabilitation (available via QMU eTheses). This research reflects my continuing interest in health, identity, and rehabilitation.
Alongside my teaching and research, I am actively involved in the wider psychology community. I am a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a General Member of both the Division of Health Psychology and the Qualitative Methods in Psychology section of the BPS. My teaching philosophy stems from my commitment to widening participation in education. As such I am actively involved in activities which seek to promote and create inclusive learning environments and opportunities.
Through these roles, I remain committed to advancing psychological knowledge, supporting students, and engaging with interdisciplinary perspectives on health and wellbeing.
I am a qualitative researcher specialising in phenomenological and thematic approaches. My PhD research explored individuals’ lived experiences of limb loss and prosthesis use, focusing on the ways disability and the embodiment of assistive devices shape identity and rehabilitation.
More recently, my work has shifted toward understanding societal attitudes toward disability. I am particularly interested in how imagined contact and diverse representation can influence perceptions and reduce stigma. In collaboration with disabled children and their parents, disabled adults, and educators, I work alongside my research partner Dr Sian Jones to explore strategies and create resources to enhance anti-ableism and foster more inclusive school environments.
Through this research, we strive to promote meaningful change in how disability is understood and represented, advocating for stronger resources, improved representation, and greater equity in education.
You can read more about my current research with Dr Sian Jones and the ToyBox Diversity Lab at https://qmutoyboxdiversitylab.com/. If you are interested in anti-ableism in education, you can join a virtual network of like minded individuals here: https://qmutoyboxdiversitylab.com/dlesnetwork/
2016
QMU WISeR Projects, Breeze, B., Johnson, K. and Uytman, C. (Joint PI). “Embedded Online Support: Psych-Soc Retention” (£9000)
QMU WISeR Projects, Darling, S., Uytman, C. and Brodie, Z. “Fresh Meet!" A student/ public engagement event designed to increase student engagement and outreach. (£500)
2015
QMU Projects for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (PETL), Uytman, C. and Johnson, K. (Joint PI). “Don’t panic!” A Psych/Soc Student’s guide to surviving 4th year: A pilot project. (£500)
I teach across our undergraduate programmes in the areas of Social Psychology and Qualitative Research Methods. In addition I offer specialist input in the areas of disability, social justice and anti-ableism on a variety of UG, PG and professional body CPD sessions. I supervise students at UG, PG and Doctoral Level.
Awarded Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) status in 2016.
