I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, a discipline area that sits within the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care. I am the Employability Lead for Psychology and I teach on a range of BSc Psychology modules, MSc programmes and I am module leader for several modules.
I am an active researcher and have interests in a number of different areas including nature connection; compassion in education; and individual differences. I supervise PhD students researching these areas.
I am the Deputy Chair for the Compassion, Contemplation and Emotion Regulation Research Group, and Deputy Chair for the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care Research Ethics Committee.
Research interests
My current research interests are focused on i) nature and wellbeing; ii) compassion in education, iii) aspects of individual differences.
My research explores the relationship between nature connectedness and wellbeing for children and adults. I am particularly interested in understanding more about the impact of Nature Connection on wellbeing and identifying interventions that may help to improve individuals' connection to nature. As part of this work, I am also involved in evaluating initiatives aimed at improving nature connection and increasing access to nature for individuals who may not always find it easy to access nature.
I have worked with a range of organisations to evaluate various projects and initiatives, having worked with several of the Royal Wildlife Trusts including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust; Suffolk Wildlife Trust; Birmingham and the Black Country Wildlife Trust; Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust; and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. Previously I have worked on projects with the RSPB, and more recently I have worked on evaluation projects for St Ann's Allotments and with the Outward Bound Trust supported by Generation Green funding as part of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
Working as part of a collaborative team, we recently produced a nature activity resource pack designed for people with babies and young children. This first phase of the pack has 12 activities, and has been funded as part of a partnership with Derby City Council Family Hubs. We hope to expand this pack in the future (subject to funding) to help support nature connectedness across the lifespan. The resource is freely available by clicking on the link below.
I am currently researching the impact of embedding compassionate approaches within education where I am leading a research project which aims to embed the micro-skills of compassionate communication into the Higher Education curriculum by introducing a new pedagogic approach. It is hoped that this approach will improve students' experience of group work.
I supervise a number of PhD students with Dr Louise Katz successfully completing her PhD "The Dark Side of Humanity Scale: A Reconstruction of the Dark Tetrad Constructs".
My current PhD students include:
Rhys Furlong, Research Area: The Experience of Allotment Gardening for Individuals from Low-Income Areas: A Multimodal Ethnographic Study.
Julie Hurst, Research Area: Compassion in the Classroom - development of curricula for younger children.
Jenny Gravestock: Compassionate leadership styles, culture, and staff burnout.
Hannah Dunn: Compassion-based interventions in further education settings.
Katie Alberici: Assessing Problematic Social Media Use in Young People: Development of a New Scale.
Recent publications
Peer-reviewed journal publications
Furlong, R., Harvey, C., Holland, F. G., & Hallam, J. (2025). “I came here and it flows”. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of low-income residents’ experiences with allotment gardening. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 104, 128646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128646
Harvey, C., Sheffield, D., Richardson., & Wells, R. (2023).Three Good Things in Nature: The impact on Nature connectedness, pro-nature conservation behaviour, life satisfaction and mindfulness in children. Ecopsychology, 15, 1, 26-36. http://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0014
Greaves, S., Harvey, C., & Kotera, Y. (2023). Exposure to Climate Change Information on Affect and Pro-Environmental Behavioural Intentions: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Earth. 4(4):845-858. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth4040045
Katz, L., Harvey, C., Baker, I. S. & Howard, C. (2022). The dark side of humanity scale: A reconstruction of the Dark Tetrad constructs, Acta Psychologica, 222, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103461
Harvey, C., Sheffield, D., Richardson., & Wells, R. (2023). Three Good Things in Nature: The impact on Nature connectedness, pro-nature conservation behaviour, life satisfaction and mindfulness in children. Ecopsychology, 15, 1, 26-36.http://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0014
Katz, L., Harvey, C., Baker, I. S. & Howard, C. (2022). The dark side of humanity scale: A reconstruction of the Dark Tetrad constructs, Acta Psychologica, 222, 103461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103461
Maratos, F. A., Hurst, J., Harvey, C. & Gilbert, P. (2022). Embedding Compassion in Schools: The What’s, the Why’s and the How’s. In Applied Positive School Psychology: Practical Guide for Educators (Eds Giraldez-Hayes, A. & Burke, J.). London/New York: Routledge
Maratos, F & Harvey, C. (2024). New Directions in Compassion Curricula and the Science of the Pedagogy. In K. Waddington & B. Bonaparte (Eds.) Developing pedagogies of compassion in higher education: A practice first approach. (pp 115-134)Springer.
Derbyshire, V. G., Fretwell, L. & Harvey, C. (2023). The Big Challenge: A case study presenting interdisciplinary development of employability skills. In S. L Hansen & K. Daniels (Eds).How to Enable the Employability of University Graduates. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing
Maratos, F. A., Hurst, J., Harvey, C. & Gilbert, P. (2022). Embedding Compassion in Schools: The What’s, the Why’s and the How’s. In A. Giraldez-Hayes & J. Burke, Applied Positive School Psychology: Practical Guide for Educators. London/New York: Routledge
Harvey, C. & Holland, F. (2023). Wild Tots and Wild Babies: An evaluation report for Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Derby UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C. & Stalker, C. (2023). New Roots: An evaluation report for St Ann’s Allotments. Derby, UK. University of Derby
Holland, F. & Harvey, C. & Furlong, R. (2023). Young Wardens’ Voices: An Evaluation Report for Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Holland, F., Harvey, C., Gibson, S. & Furlong, R. (2023). Evaluation Report for Generation Green. Assessing the Impact of Single Day Short Courses for Young People. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Holland, F., Harvey, C., Gibson, S. & Furlong, R. (2023). Evaluation Report for Generation Green. Assessing the Impact of Short Residential Courses for Young People. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C., Holland, F. & Furlong, R. (2022). A summary report of the four Wildlife Trust projects funded by Cadent. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C., Holland, F. & Furlong, R. (2022). Creating Nature Networks in North Manchester. An Evaluation Report for The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C., Holland, F. & Furlong, R. (2022). Natural Connections. An Evaluation Report for Birmingham and the Black Country Wildlife Trust. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C., Holland, F. & Furlong, R. (2022). Wild at Heart. An Evaluation Report for Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Harvey, C., Holland, F. & Furlong, R. (2022). Wild Wellbeing Hub. An Evaluation Report for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Holland, F. & Harvey, C. (2022). Evaluation Report: Impact of a two day ‘Introduction to Motivational Interviewing’ training. Derby UK; University of Derby
Harvey, C and Holland, F. (2017). Play Wild evaluation report. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Lumber, R., Hunt, A., Richardson, M. and Harvey, C. (2017). Nature Connections 2016. Conference Report: Implications for Research and Practice. Derby, UK: University of Derby
Richardson, M., Sheffield, D., Harvey, C. and Petronzi, D. (2015). The Impact of Children’s Connection to Nature. A Report for the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB). University of Derby and RSPB
Membership of professional bodies
Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (CPsychol)
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Professional interests
After graduating from the University of Derby with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Social Science in 1995, I went on to study for my PhD under the supervision of Dr Keith Clements. My PhD examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and smoking and how various factors such as social context, social interaction and individual differences might interact with this relationship.
Following the successful completion of my PhD, I then went on to work for the Police for four years, in various roles including Research Assistant, Head of Market Research and Acting Head of Performance Standards and Review. Following this, I worked for seven years as a Community Safety Manager for a local authority.
I returned to the University of Derby as Lecturer in Psychology in 2012 and now teach on modules across the BSc and MSc programmes. I am particularly interested in teaching about the relationship between nature and wellbeing, personality and individual differences and quantitative research methods. I undertake research and evaluation projects for external organisations and I also develop and run short courses such as Introduction to Evaluation; Wellbeing in the Workplace; and Compassionate Communication for Further and Higher Education.
Qualifications
Undergraduate qualifications
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Social Science, University of Derby
Research qualifications
PhD on the relationship between alcohol consumption and smoking, University of Derby
Postgraduate qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
Recent conferences
Keynotes
Evaluating the impact of nature based interventions for children and young people. Nature Connections Conference 2024.
Embedding Compassion in Higher Education. Standing Conference of UK Drama Departments (SCUDD) 2022
Conference presentations
Harvey, C. (2024). Evaluating nature based interventions. Nature Connections Conference 2024. (Workshop)
Harvey, C. (2023). Developing compassionate communication skills with HE students. British Education Studies Association, 2023
Harvey, C. (2023). Embedding compassion in education: compassionate communication skills training for undergraduate students. 12th International Compassion Focussed Therapy Conference 2023. (Poster presentation)
Harvey, C., Holland, F., Gibson, S, Furlong, R. and Ferris, E. (2022). The impact of short residential courses on nature connectedness, pro-conservation behaviour and wellbeing in children and young adults. 9th International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Ambleside
Moore, S., Holland, F., Baraniak, A & Harvey, C. (2022). Seekers & Sharers. 8thCBC Conference: Behaviour Change for Health and Sustainability, University College London, London, (online)
Moore, S., Holland, F., Baraniak, A & Harvey, C. (2022). Seekers & Sharers: A mixed methods exploration of sexual health information behaviour among young Zambian men. International Workshop on HIV & Adolescence. Cape Town
Harvey, C., Hallam, J., Richardson, M. and Wells, R. (2021). Good things children notice in nature: A framework for reconnecting children with nature. Singapore Conference of Applied Psychology December 2021
Harvey, C. Maratos, F., Montague, J., Gale, M., Gilbert, T. and Clarke, K. (2021). Developing Compassionate Micro Skills of Communication: Facilitating group work with undergraduate psychology students. Singapore Conference of Applied Psychology December 2021
Harvey, C. & Maratos, F. (2021). Embedding Compassionate Communication Skills with Undergraduate Psychology Students. Masterclass presented to the British Psychological Society Annual Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology conference 24 June 2021
Harvey, C. Maratos, F., Montague, J., Gale, M., Gilbert, T. and Clarke, K. (2021). Developing Compassionate Micro Skills of Communication to facilitate group work with undergraduate psychology students. International Perspectives in Education, University of the Agean, Greece, 2020
Harvey, C. Maratos, F., Montague, J., Gale, M., Gilbert, T. and Clarke, K. (2020). Embedding compassion in the curriculum. Presented at the Advance HE Student Retention and Success Symposium: Examining the role of mental wellbeing in the curriculum and university, 19 September 2020
Harvey, C., Hallam, J., Richardson, M. and Wells, R. (2019). Reconnecting children with nature: an extended framework for practitioners. Presented at Nature Connections 2019, University of Derby
Harvey, C. Maratos, F., Montague, J., Gale, M., Gilbert, T. and Clarke, K. (2019). Embedding the Compassionate Micro-Skills of Communication in Higher Education. Presented at the University of Derby, Festival of Learning, July 2019
Harvey, C. Maratos, F., Montague, J., Gale, M., Gilbert, T. and Clarke, K. (2019). Developing compassionate micro skills of communication to facilitate group work with undergraduate psychology students. Presented at the British Psychological Society Education Section Conference, 2019, Manchester
Harvey, C., Holland, F. and Gould, D. (2018). Play Wild works! An evaluation of nature-based taster sessions for low-income families. Presented at Nature Connections 2018, University of Derby
Holland, F and Harvey, C. (2017). Successfully evaluating your project: A workshop for practitioners. Presented at Nature Connections 2017, University of Derby
Huggins, T. and Harvey, C. (2017). The influence of gender, environmental concern and general ecological behaviour on green buying in developing countries; Implications for behaviour change. Poster presented at Nature Connections 2017, University of Derby
Birdsall, K. and Harvey, C. (2016). The impact of walking environment and connectedness to Nature, Mindfulness and Empathy: A comparison of natural and urban locations. Presented to Nature Connections 2016, University of Derby
Harvey, C. (2016). The impact of a “3 good things” in nature writing intervention on nature connection in children. Presented at Nature Connections 2016, University of Derby
Experience in industry
During my time working in the public sector for the police and local authority, I gained considerable experience in project management and partnership working.
I worked on "Play Wild" a Heritage Lottery-funded project with a range of partner organisations. The aim of the project was to encourage families with young children, who live in relatively deprived areas, to spend more time playing outdoors in nature. Working with Dr Fiona Holland, from the University of Derby, our role was to ensure the project was effectively evaluated.
More recently I have worked on a number of evaluation and research projects including with:
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
The Outward Bound Trust
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
St Ann's Allotments
I am currently working on a new DEFRA funded initiative as part of the Generation Green 2 programme which aims to help disadvantaged young people forge lifelong connections to nature by taking them on multi-day residentials, farm visits, day trips and nights under the stars, all based in National Parks, National Landscapes and SSSIs. The evaluation will enable comparison of the impact of different types of nature-based visits and will also assess the longer term impact these initiatives might have.
I'm also working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to evaluate the Rewilding Project at Allestree Park, Derby.
In the media
Paths for all aims to encourage people to get involved in walking across Scotland. In the podcast "Recognising the beauty of connecting with Nature" I talk about the how noticing the nature around you can help boost your connection with nature.
I'm currently working on a collaborative project with colleagues at Hong Kong University to embed compassionate pedagogic practice with their students.
Teaching responsibilities
I teach campus-based students at undergraduate and masters levels. I am the Employability Lead for Psychology. I am also the Module Leader for Psychology Nature and Wellbeing 5PS524, Skills and Careers in Psychology 5PS542 and Quantitative Research, Evaluation and Behaviour Change Application 7PS578.
I teach on the following undergraduate modules:
Psychology of Wellbeing
Quantitative Methods and Individual Differences
Psychology Nature and Wellbeing
Skills and Careers in Psychology (2)
Psychology Research Project
I also teach on the following postgraduate modules, supporting the MSc Behaviour Change and Masters of Research programmes and supervise MSc research projects.
Research and Evaluation
Independent Research
Negotiated Module in Science
In addition, I also deliver short courses relating to evaluation, quantitative research methods and statistics and Wellbeing in the Workplace and Compassion in Education.
