Dr Paula Watson
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Health Psychology
Following a degree in Psychology (University of York) and an MSc in Sport Psychology (LJMU), Paula joined the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences in January 2005. Between 2005 and 2012 she was Principal Researcher on the GOALS project, during which time she completed her PhD exploring the process of health behaviour change in children who are overweight. In September 2012 Paula was appointed as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Health Psychology in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
Paula is a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered as a sport and exercise psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). She has a Level 5 Certificate in Leadership from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Paula is currently a professional member of the NICE programme development group for “Overweight and obese children and young people – lifestyle weight management services”.
Teaching
Paula teaches the exercise and health psychology components across the following modules:
BSc Sports and Exercise Science
4011SPOSCI Applied sport and exercise science foundations
4014SPOSCI Psychological foundations
5012SPOSCI Applied sport and exercise science principles
5014SPOSCI Psychological principles
6022SPOSCI Measurement and evaluation of physical activity practice
MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
7003SPOSCI Promotion, adherence and compliance (will take over module leadership from 2013)
Paula also contributes to teaching on the BSc Applied Sport Psychology programme and supports qualitative research training across all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the school.
Publications:
Research interests
Paula is a member of the Physical Activity Exchange. Her research interests include:
- Lifestyle approaches to childhood obesity management
- Challenges of developing and evaluating sustainable community interventions
- The role of the family in child physical activity and eating behaviours
- Psychological determinants of physical activity, and the process of long-term behaviour change
Grant income
Watson PM (PI), Cable NT, Murphy R & Stratton G (January 2009 – December 2010) Liverpool Institute for Health Inequalities Research (£49,944). Addressing childhood obesity in black and racial minority populations in Liverpool.
Trigwell J (PI), Watson PM, Murphy R, Stratton GS & Cable NT (August 2011 – January 2012) Liverpool Health Inequalities Research Institute (LivHIR) (£15,355) “In the Heart of the Community”: Building a collaborative programme of research to reduce health inequalities (related to physical activity and healthy eating) experienced by BRM communities living in the UK.
Selected presentations
- Watson, P.M., Knowles, Z., Murphy, R., Dugdill, L. & Cable, N.T. One size doesn’t fit all: a qualitative exploration of long-term behaviour change in families with children who are overweight. UK Society for Behavioural Medicine 8th Annual Scientific Meeting 10-11 December 2012; Manchester, UK.
- Watson, P.M., Dugdill, L., Pickering, K., Bostock, S., Hargreaves, J., Staniford, L. & Cable, N.T. Changes in child BMI SDS, perceived fitness and physical activity levels following participation in a family-based childhood obesity intervention (GOALS). European Group of Pediatric Work Physiology XXVII Biennial Conference 19 – 23 September 2011; Exeter, UK.
- Watson, P.M., Dugdill, L., Pickering, K., Bostock, S., Hargreaves, J., Staniford, L. & Cable, N.T. Year-on-year improvement in outcomes from a community childhood obesity intervention: recommendations for a phased approach. 16th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science; 2011; Liverpool
- Watson, P.M., Dugdill, L., Pickering, K., Bostock, S., Hargreaves, J., Staniford, L. & Cable, N.T. A whole family approach to childhood obesity management: relationship between adult and child BMI change. Intergenerational and Familial Influences on Obesity Symposium, 16th-17th September 2010, Durham University
- Watson, P.M. (invited) The GOALS family lifestyle intervention: processes of development and success. British Dietetic Association annual conference. Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool 17th June 2008
- Watson, P.M. (invited) GOALS project in Liverpool. 9th National Nutrition and Health Conference. The Olympia Conference Centre, Kensington, London 21st November 2008
- Watson, P.M. (invited) Changing children’s diets: The GOALS project. Community Nutrition Group Annual Conference, Derbyshire 26th April 2006
Contact Details Telephone:
+44 (0)151 231 4182
Fax:
+44 (0)151 231 4418
