Joanne Turley
Biography
I left school at 16 desperately wanting to work and earn my own money. For 25 years I worked in the banking and financial services world, achieving professional qualifications in financial planning (pensions, investment, and insurances) and mortgages. Deep down I always felt that I was in the wrong career so, when I was made redundant in my early 40’s, I decided to retrain and found myself studying the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at WGU.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I am still here! After completing my undergraduate degree I began to study for my doctorate and was successful in securing a Graduate Teaching Assistant position in the Psychology Department. When this contract ended I continued to work in the department as a Sessional Lecturer and became a full-time, permanent member of the academic team in 2016.
Having re-awoken my desire for learning I continue to study and am due to submit my PhD early in 2022. Whilst it will be nice to have a break from studying I don’t think it will be too long before I am looking for my next learning challenge!
Outside of learning I enjoy spending time with friends and family. In particular, I love to travel and have visited many weird and wonderful places. I also enjoy the theatre and going to the occasional concert. Reading is one of life’s pleasures for me as well as cooking and baking.
Qualifications
2016 PGCPD, Wrexham Glyndŵr University
2013 (Ongoing) PhD (Psychology)
2012 BSc (Hons), Wrexham Glyndŵr University
2009 Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Counselling
2006 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Open College Network
2013 The British Psychological Society (MBPsS)
2016 Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Research
Social Psychology - Children and Digital Communication
I am currently undertaking my PhD in this area and my main focus is the psychological effect that digital communication has on junior school children. Research shows that most children communicate digitally, via text, mobile phone, or online chat, but there is a dearth of research on how this impacts their self-esteem, self-efficacy and subjective well-being particularly in this age group.
Counselling Psychology / Individual differences
My focus within Counselling Psychology has been through the lens of personality and individual differences as I am interested in the psychological type profile of counsellors. In particular, I have an interest in the relationship between an individual counsellor and their chosen model of counselling.
Courses
BSc (Hons) Psychology (with Foundation Year)
MSc (Hons) Psychology (Conversion)
Publications
Turley, J., Lewis, C. A., Musharraf, S., & Breslin, M. J. (2019). Psychometric properties of three measures of “Facebook engagement and/or addiction” among a sample of Pakistani students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.
Madoc-Jones, I., Williams, E., Hughes, C., & Turley, J. (2016). Prison building “Does size matter? A re-assessment. Prison Service Journal, (227), 4-10.
Robbins, M., & Turley, J. (2016). Psychological type of person-centred counsellors. Psychological Reports. 118(1), 128-138.
Roberts, D., Hibberd, P., Lewis, C. A., & Turley, J. (2014). Developing quality care metrics for community clinical nurse specialists in rural Wales, British Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(12), 601-617.
Turley, J., Baker, S. A., & Lewis, C. A. (2014). Expectations and levels of understanding when using mobile phones among 9-11 year olds in Wales, UK. Pastoral Care in Education, 32(3),208-217.