Simon Blackwell Biography
Brief biography
I am postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Göttingen. I have a broad interest in the process of developing and testing evidence-based psychological interventions, and how we can make this process more efficient. My research also has a particular focus on positive mental imagery and its potential use within psychological interventions.
I trained initially as a clinical psychologist, receiving a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Oxford (UK). I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford and then the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge (UK), before moving to Germany, where I completed a PhD at Ruhr-University Bochum alongside establishing my own programme of experimental and translational clinical research. I moved to the University of Göttingen in October 2023.
Scientific and Clinical Career
| since 2023 | Postdoctoral Researcher ('Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter'), Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Georg-Elias-Müller-Institute of Psychology, University of Göttingen |
| 2015 - 2023 | Postdoctoral Researcher ('Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter'), Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum |
| 2015 - 2017 | Visiting Scientist, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK |
| 2015 - 2016 | Junior Research Fellow, Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, UK |
| 2013 - 2016 | Research Clinical Psychologist (Honorary contract), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, UK |
| 2012 - 2015 | Investigator Scientist, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK |
| 2010 - 2014 | Research Clinical Psychologist (Honorary contract), Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK |
| 2010 - 2012 | Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK |
| 2008 - 2010 | Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Services, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK |
| 2005 - 2008 | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Oxford, UK |
| 2002 - 2004 | Healthcare Assistant, South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK |
Academic and Clinical Qualifications
| 2016 - 2017 | Doktor der Philosophie (Dr. phil.), Fakultät für Psychologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Grade: Summa cum laude) |
| 2005 - 2008 |
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psych),Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, UK (British professional training as Clinical Psychologist, equivalent to the German qualification as a Psychological Psychotherapist) |
| 2004 - 2005 | MSc Research in Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK |
| 1999 - 2002 | BA(Hons) Natural Sciences (Part II Psychology), University of Cambridge, UK (Note: First Class) |
Awards
| 2022 | European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT): Scientist-Practitioner Early Career Award |
| 2021 | Association for Psychological Science (APS): Rising Star |
| 2019 - 2021 | Mercator Research Center Ruhr: Selected as a member of Global Young Faculty VI (https://www.global-young-faculty.de/) |
| 2015 - 2016 | Wolfson College, University of Cambridge: Junior Research Fellowship |
| 2011/2012 | British Psychological Society: Postdoctoral Study Visit Scheme |
| 2001 | Queens’ College, University of Cambridge: Foundation Scholarship |
| 2000 | Queens’ College, University of Cambridge: College Exhibitioner & Mosseri Prize (Biological Sciences) |