I am a Chartered Psychologist and practitioner Health Psychologist with 25 years of experience of conducting research into the psychological impact of allergies.  I graduated from Birmingham University with a PhD in 1999 and more recently completed an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  I am a University Reader in Psychology at Aston University, Birmingham, UK, and Programme Director for the online MSc Health Psychology programme.

• BSc (hons), Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, 1993
• MA Criminology, University of Keele, 1994
• PhD in Psychology, University of Birmingham, 1999
• MSc with Distinction in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, University of Derby, 2012
• British Psychological Society Level A and B certificates in psychometric testing

• 2017 - present: Reader in Psychology, Aston University
• 2013 – 2017: Senior Lecturer, Psychology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University.
• 2002 – 2013: Reader in Health Psychology, Psychology, Derby University.
• 2000 – 2002: Lecturer in Behavioural Science, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham.
• 1998-2000: Research Fellow, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham
• 1995-1998: Research Associate, Psychology Department, University of Birmingham

I am programme director for MSc Health Psychology (online)

I am module leader for:

• Illness Processes and Behaviour (MSc in Health Psychology campus and online)
• Research Project in Health Psychology (online)

• Psychology of Asthma and Allergy (final year optional module for BSc Psychology)

My research interests lie in the psychosocial impact of food allergy and intolerance on children and adult sufferers and the immediate family.  This has included the effects of food allergy on quality of life, stress, anxiety and coping strategies. I work closely with allergy clinics in the West and East Midlands and in Southampton and with local schools.

I am also interested in mental health and behaviour change using cognitive behavioural therapy and compassion focused techniques.

Recent PhD supervision topics include:

• Quality of life in patients with Niemann-Pick C
  
• Risk taking and coping in children and adolescents with food allergy
  
• Adolescent beliefs in food allergy
• Quality of life in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

• Available to supervise PhD students in health or allergy related areas

• Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
• Full member of the BPS Division of Health Psychology
• Registered Health Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
• Member of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Member of the European Academy for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Room: SW507a
E-mail: r.knibb@aston.ac.uk
Telephone: 0121 204 3402