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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People’s choice award for poster
Congratulations to Anna for winning a poster award! Anna presented a poster of her research at the Winter Gathering of the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Programme at Kings College London. The research she presented focuses on whether Virtual Reality (VR) can be used to treat anxiety-related disorders such as OCD for individuals who…
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Discussion at Imperial Tech Foresight 2042
Adaptation to our surroundings is an evolutionary trait that has enabled the survival of the species we see today – and the extinction of those unable to cope with change. In this Tech Foresight 2042 debate, Professor Pierre Pinson and Dr Nejra Van Zalk from Imperial College London’s Dyson School of Design Engineering discuss the…
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Successful thesis defence
Huge congrats to Ian Chard for successfully defending his PhD! Ian has successfully defended his thesis “Virtual reality exposure therapy for reducing social anxiety in people who stutter”. His thesis findings have been published in a number of outlets: Virtual reality exposure therapy for reducing social anxiety associated with stuttering: the role of outcome expectancy,…
Interested in Doing Your PhD with Us?
Enquiries to join the Lab are welcome from excellent PhD candidates with interest in psychology and design, who meet the Dyson School of Design Engineering entry level requirements. Strong applicants with backgrounds in computational psychology and quantitative research methods are particularly welcome, though candidates with engineering and design backgrounds are welcome to apply (demonstrating previous experience in social/behavioural sciences). 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 maximum 2-page outline detailing how your work will fit within the lab.
- A mention on how you plan to secure funding for your PhD (please note that self-funding is not acceptable). 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 be invited to an online meeting.
Research Associates, Academic Visitors & Interns
Enquiries 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 typically 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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