Dr Ellen M. Henderson is a lecturer in health psychology interested in the psychology of pain and symptoms in adults and children; wellbeing of parental caregivers of children with medical complexity; children’s oncology and palliative care. Ellen’s research has used a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods including interviews, focus groups, participant observation, ethnography, feasibility studies, online interviews and focus groups and online and paper based surveys.

Ellen graduated in 2013 with a PhD from the University of Bath in the Psychology of Child Pain before working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of the West of England (from 2013-2014) and a senior research fellow at the Louis Dundas Centre for Children’s Palliative Care at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (from 2014-2021).

Ellen joined Ulster University in 2021.  

• The psychology of pain and symptoms
• Wellbeing of parental caregivers
• Children’s oncology and palliative care

Awarded and underway:

• Taylor RI, Gallagher S, Kennedy N, Henderson EM. Development of a holistic tool to measure the impact of pain in adults with cerebral palsy across the lifespan. ESRC NINE DTP, 2024-2028 (£126,641.42)
• Lorimer S (PI), Henderson EM. Getting Through Aversive Episodes: Cognitive Predictors of Pain Perception. BA Leverhume, 2024-2026. (£9,950)
• Henderson EM (PI), More DJ, Gallagher S, Simms V. Development of a programme of research to explore a developmental trajectory of pain in young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism and Learning Disability of No Known Aetiology. Baily Thomas, 2024-2025 (£4,986.21)

Awarded and completed since joining Ulster University:

• Henderson EM (PI), Bluebond-Langner M, Wakeling S. A collaborative workshop to discuss pathways to intervention to improve sleep of parents of children with life-limiting conditions: A pilot study of guidance and engagement plan development. Parent support, Alice’s Arc, 2021-2023. (£7,750)
• Kennedy N (PI), Henderson EM. Evaluation of acute brain injury choices. Cedar Foundation, 2022-2022 (£9,959.12)

Course Director for the MSc Health Psychology

Module co-ordinator and lecturer:

• Health Psychology MSc Module PSY738: Social, Cultural and Family Perspectives in Health Psychology 

 Lecturer on: 

• 1st year BSc Psychology module PSY105: Introduction to Research Methods 
• 1st year BSc Nutrition module NUT105: Fundamental of Nutrition Science