Today we introduce you to Dr Clare Kirtley. Clare is the Coordinator for the Level 1 Theory and Concepts course and also leads the Psychology Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) system. Get to know Clare a little more here:
What is your favourite way to relax after a long day?
Make dinner and either play computer games, or, if I’m feeling creative enough, do some kind of drawing or sewing.
What is your favourite book?
I am legitimately unable to pick a favourite book because I do read quite a lot. Currently, I’m reading Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series and enjoying those quite a bit.
Do you have any pets?
I am hoping to get a cat in the next few weeks! Otherwise, I just have various plants.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Probably working with Level 4 students during their thesis process: it’svery exciting to see a project take shape from a student’sinitial idea, into a fleshed-out experimental procedure, and finally (maybe!) some new answers- or at least some ideas about where to go next. The specific part of this that I really look forward to is when we have the data collected and can finally start exploring what we’ve found in more detail. At this point you get to find out whether your hypotheses are supported- or if there’s something else going on – and either option means there’s still more to do!
Are there any projects you’re currently working on that you’re excited about?
Yes- I’m really interested in art, and what affects how people view it, and the opinions they form of it. There’s quite a bit of work showing that the information that accompanies a piece of art has an effect on how we judge it, for example, a picture described as having taken 5 hours to make is judged more positively than if the same picture was described as taking an hour to make. Recently, we’ve all become very aware of the new capabilities of AI in many areas, including the creation of art, and so I want to explore this in more detail- changing the kind of information accompanying the AI artworks, to see if it will have similar effects.
How do you stay organised and manage your time effectively?
I make a lot of lists, with tick boxes, so I can track what I’ve been doing through the day, and get a tiny dopamine rush when I can tick one off.
Early bird or night owl?
Neither, I manage to be very bad at both getting up in the morning AND going to bed on time in the evening.
Book or movie?
Depends on the movie, but usually a book.
While walking: Podcast or music?
Podcasts- ranging from ‘You’re Wrong About’, ‘Speaking of Psychology’, ‘Criminal’ and ‘Go! My Favourite Sports Team’.
Ninjas or pirates?
Cowboys.
Dr Clare Kirtley
School of Psychology
