Profile

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Aífe Hopkins-Doyle

    • About Me:

      I am originally from Dublin, Ireland. I now live with my partner in London. I am a social psychologist and gender researcher. I love swimming in the sea, cycling, and chinese food!

    • Read more

      I grew up in Dublin, Ireland very close to the city centre but also the sea. I think this is why I love being near the sea and swimming. When I moved to London I really missed the sea, so I try to go to coast to swim when I can. I love living in London because it is so busy and exciting – there are lots of things to do, places to visit, and different foods to try.

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      I research how gender influences how we think about ourselves and others. For example, I research gender identity (how we know what gender we are), gender stereotypes (beliefs about how similar or different women and men are), and inequality (sexist beliefs about women/girls and what effect this can have on them). Importantly, I also research how we can reduce inequality based on gender. For example, how can we challenge negative and harmful beliefs about some gender groups.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake and have a coffee before starting work around 8am.  In the morning, I run experiments online and in the lab. After lunch, I have meetings with my students and help them with their research. In the evening, I write up my results. I go home at 6pm.

    • Read more

      I wake and have a coffee before starting work around 8am.  In the morning, I reply to emails and update my team members on how our research in going. Then I run experiments online and in the lab. We ask children, young people, and adults to take part in our research. Sometimes people can use their phones or laptops to complete our research. Other times, especially if they are a child or a young person they might come into the lab to take part. Usually our research, asks participants to answer questions about their own attitudes and beliefs, or other people’s attitudes and beliefs. We often compare these between participants using statistics. After lunch, I have meetings with my students and help them with their research. I love working with students to help them research their own ideas. In the evening, I write up my results. I go home at 6pm.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would love to hold a workshop with students about gender stereotypes and sexism. We would think about different types of beliefs about women and men, and their relationships, and we would run our own research experiment in the workshop!

    My CV

    • Education:

      St Matthews National School, Dublin (Primary)

      Pembroke Girls School, Dublin (GCSE)

      St Kilians, Dublin (A-level)

      National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland (BSc, undergraduate degree)

      University of Kent, Canterbury, UK (MSc & PhD)

    • Qualifications:

      At 15, I completed my Junior Certificate in Ireland (this is like GSCE). At 18, I completed my Leaving Certificate (this is like A-levels). I went to university to study for a degree in Psychology, where I also took classes in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Computer Science. I moved to the UK to complete a Masters degree and a PhD in Social Psychology (the psychology of people, groups, and relationships).

    • Work History:

      I have worked many jobs that were not related to my career now, but these have been very valuable in helping me develop the skills I need in my job now. I always had a part time job in school and university, which helped me organise my timetable better, make new friends, and gave me my own money.

      During school, around 16/18 years old: Shop assistant in House of Fraser

      During university, around 18-22: Waitress/bartender/supervisor in different pubs and restaurants in Ireland

      After university, around 22-24: Customer account assistant, commericial loans, Bank of Scotland Ireland.

      During my masters, around 24-25: Supervisor, cocktail bar, Canterbury, Kent.

      During my PhD, around 26-29: teaching assistant and student tutor, psychology, University of Kent & Cantebury Christchurch University.

       

       

    • Current Job:

      Lecturer in Social Psychology

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        chatty gender researcher

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        no idea! (its okay not to know)

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Sometimes (for chatting too much)

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        that's too hard a question!

        What's your favourite food?

        Chinese food

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        to get a retired greyhound and visit Japan

        Tell us a joke.

        knock knock...

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