Research Interests
Public Engagement
Apr/Aug 2017 - Replicated my published work – once for a segment which will be aired on the BBC’s The One Show, and another which will be included in a Channel 4 documentary on health in early 2018.
June 2016 - Allen, C. (2016, June 6). Why gendered deodorants work – particularly for some men. The Conversation.
Feb 2016 - Public lecture titled: ‘The science of attraction’, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Jul 2014 - Hosted an event exploring non-visual communication in humans at the Secret Garden Party, Abbot’s Ripon, UK, on behalf of Guerilla Science.
Feb2015/Apr2014/Aug 2013 - Presenting information on olfactory communication in humans for the ‘Meet the Scientist’ exhibit at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
I currently work as a lecturer in the school of Psychology at Newcastle University. I teach on a range of modules which have an evolutionary focus and my broad research interests lie in the application of evolutionary theory to understanding human behaviour.
I was awarded a Partnership Research Scholarship from the University of Stirling (Sept 2012). My PhD research focused on olfaction as a form of communication in humans; what information can we get about a person from their odour? And is this affected by the use of artificial fragrances?
Research Positions
Oct 2016 – July 2018
Research Associate, Newcastle University. I currently work in Professor Daniel Nettle’s COMSTAR lab investigating the impact of early life adversity on hunger and impulsivity in humans. I am responsible for experimental design, creating and piloting a variety of novel tasks, recruiting participants, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Additionally, I am responsible for a Psychology work placement student.
May-Aug 2016
Research Associate, Edinburgh Napier University. I was hired by Dr Alex McIntyre and Dr Faye Skelton to set up a new 3D/4D face imaging lab. I was in charge of calibrating new equipment, liaising with the software providers and creating a user manual for the equipment and software. I was also responsible for experimental design, participant recruitment, and I hired and was responsible for a junior research assistant.
Nov-April 2016
Research Assistant, University of Stirling – I worked on a project funded by Boots UK Ltd. investigating the psychological effects of wearing make-up with Professor S. Craig Roberts and Dr Anthony Little. I was in charge of experimental design, participant recruitment, data analysis and interpretation, and report writing.
Membership
European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association
International Society for Human Ethology
Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Newcastle University
Scottish Primate Research Group