James is a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychology Society. Having previously undertaken a degree in Biological Sciences from Heriot-Watt University, James also holds a BSc (hons) degree in Psychology from the University of Sheffield, an MSc in Industrial Psychology from the University of Hull, and a PhD (Psychology) from the University of Hull. His doctorate considered the effects of tinnitus on concentration and task performance. He holds a Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy - now Advance HE (SFHEA).

James is a member of the Professional Advisors Committee (PAC) for Tinnitus UK, and has delivered workhops to a number of tinnitus self-help groups across the country (from Brighton to Glasgow), as well as NHS Trusts, professional bodies (e.g. British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists), private companies (e.g. Phonak, Specsavers) and relevant charities (e.g. Tinnitus UK).

His research interests include how people cope with their tinnitus, online interventions for tinnitus, and interaction sbetween tinnitus, indvidual differences (e.g. personality) and physiology (i.e. stress hormones). He is also interested in such topics as 2d:4d digit ratio, 'Mental Toughness', and how personality and environment can affect pain tolerance - specifically though use of the Cold Pressor Task.

During his postgraduate years, James was an editor for the Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group (psyPAG) Quarterly Journal, and he is currently a reviewer for the International Journal of Audiology, Mindfulness, Frontiers in Psychology and Trends in Hearing. He is the Honorary Treasurer for the Psychobiology Section of the British Psychology Society After lecturing at the University of Hull for two years, James joined Leeds Trinity University in February 2008.

Current Teaching

Level Five: psy5012 – Psychological Research Methods 2

Level Six: psy6422 – Biopsychology of Stress and Health (co-ordinator)

Level Seven: psy7055 Biological Psychology (co-ordinator)

Level Seven: psy7073 Psychological Research methods (co-ordinator)

Level Seven: PSY7086: MSc Thesis (journal format) (co-ordinator)

Roles

James is Programme Lead for the LTU MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme.

The key aspect informing my teaching and my research is the concept of individual appraisal; why do some individuals cope with a given situation while others do not? I believe in the relevance of the Biopsychosocial Model, and in the interaction between body, mind and environment. Different people - with different personalities, different backgrounds and different skills - can and do respond differently in given situations. If we can gain further understanding as to why some people cope better than others, we can begin to consider whether others can be taught or trained to cope better with a stressful situation or a challenging condition.