Merging Psychological Insights with Design Thinking
At the Design Psychology Lab, we research how the design of products, services, and interventions can maintain and promote mental well-being and foster positive behaviour change.
A Multidisciplinary Environment
At the Design Psychology Lab, based in the Dyson School of Design Engineering (Imperial College London), we integrate psychological insights with design thinking to research how products, services, and interventions can help maintain and/or promote mental health and well-being of users.
Our affiliates conduct research in a wide variety of areas, including human-technology interaction, healthcare innovations, and psychological privacy and security in digital contexts. We are based in a multidisciplinary environment, with expertise ranging from psychology to design engineering.
Lab Members
Meet the current and former lab members.
Jianan Zhou
PhD Student
Anna Caltabiano
PhD Student
Dr Fleur Corbett
Research Associate
Dr Ian Chard
Former PhD Student
Dr David Boyle
Lab Affiliate
Dr Lorenzo Picinali
Lab Affiliate
News
Read about our latest research and other events.
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Keynote on Studying Human and Robot Co-Living
Keynote talk at opening of Dronehub at EMPA in Zurich Dr van Zalk was an invited keynote speaker at the opening ceremony for DroneHub, EMPA (Zurich), on 20th of November 2024. Together with keynote panellists Philipp Eder (Head of Drones & Robots at Swisscom Broadcast Ltd) who discussed the need for an infrastructure to test drones,…
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Virtual Reality Treatment for Mental Health
Talk at Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland, USA On November 13, Anna Caltabiano delivered a talk at the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland, a US-based outpatient treatment center. She discussed VR-delivered exposure therapy and shared insights from her research in the field. The session included an engaging conversation with clinicians about…
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Humans protect AI bots from playtime exclusion
Our research featured in the media Jianan Zhou, PhD Candidate at the Design Psychology Lab, just published her first study examining how people interact with what they think are AI chatbots. Jianan’s study shows that humans are prone to treating AI bots similar to other humans when they believe the bots are being ostracised by…
Interested in Doing Your PhD with Us?
Applications to join the Lab are welcome from outstanding PhD candidates who meet the Dyson School of Design Engineering entry level requirements. We particularly welcome strong applicants with backgrounds in computational and quantitative psychology, though candidates with engineering and design backgrounds are welcome to apply.
If you wish to be considered, please e-mail the following information to Dr Van Zalk (n.van-zalk@imperial.ac.uk):
- A recent copy of your CV.
- A brief (max 2-page) outline detailing what you would like to do in terms of research area. This is to give an idea about how your work will fit within the scope of the lab.
- A mention on how you plan to secure funding for your PhD (please note that self-funding is not acceptable). Dr Van Zalk is happy to sponsor outstanding candidates in their funding application. You can consider several funding sources via Imperial’s Scholarships Search Tool. Schemes available include Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships, China Scholarship Council, and UK Research Council scholarships. Overseas students can also check international scholarship collaboration opportunities.
If your profile is deemed suitable, you will then be invited to an online meeting.
Research Associates, Academic Visitors & Interns
Applications from prospective Research Associates and Academic Visitors are welcome. Please contact Dr Nejra van Zalk directly to discuss opportunities.
If you are interested in an internship, check out the Imperial College Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme as well as International Research Opportunities Programme schemes. We take on summer interns to join existing projects – get in touch with Dr Nejra van Zalk to discuss further.
Design Psychology Lab
Dyson School of Design Engineering
Imperial College London
25 Exhibition Road, South Kensington
London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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