About
I am a dedicated academic with a strong commitment to student support, teaching, and research. As Deputy Programme Director for the MSc in Health Psychology (Campus), I play a key role in shaping the student experience and curriculum delivery. I lead the Health Promotion and Behaviour Change and Empirical Research Project (L7) modules.
With a passion for student development, I have supervised over 20 students, including 7 undergraduate and 13 MSc students, guiding them through their research projects. My collaborative approach to research has led to several student co-authored publications in high-impact journals, reflecting my commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. In the past year alone, I have published six academic papers in collaboration with students, further demonstrating my dedication to fostering student involvement in research.
My dedication to student welfare and academic support was recognised with the Personal Academic Tutor of the Year Award in 2024, and Postgraduate Supervisor of The Year in 2025. My teaching philosophy centres on empowering students to develop their skills, confidence, and critical thinking in a supportive learning environment. I believe that learning is a two-way process, where I can learn as much from students as they can learn from me.
Teaching responsibilities
Teaching Responsibilities
I am currently responsible for leading the following modules:
- Health Promotion and Behaviour Change (L7 – MSc Health Psychology, on-campus & online)
- Empirical Research Project (L7 - MSc Health Psychology, on-campus)
Additionally, I supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate research projects in the fields of health psychology/behavioural science/public health and cognitive psychology. I have published using both Quantitative and Qualitative (Thematic Analysis or Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) methods.
Supervisor - Empirical Research Project (L7 – MSc Health Psychology)
In this role, I guide students through the process of conducting original research, from project design and data collection to analysis and dissemination of findings. This module provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical, research-focused context. I have a clear track record of supporting students under my supervision to publish their work in high-impact journal articles, establish external collaborations and ultimately conduct research that has impact.
PAT+ An Enhanced Personal Academic Tutoring Programme (L7 - MSc Health Psychology)
To enhance academic and personal development, I designed and have delivered for over two years, an enhanced Personal Academic Tutor Programme (known as PAT+) for MSc Health Psychology students. This initiative offers tailored support, guidance on academic progression, and helps students navigate their personal and professional growth throughout their studies. This includes CV writing, interview preparation and career development.
Professional interests
My professional interests are centred around health psychology, behavioural science, and public health, with a focus on health promotion and behaviour change. I am particularly passionate about understanding the psychological factors that influence health behaviour. You can view my completed and current projects on the Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group website: https://gaffieroresearch.co.uk/
In my teaching, I am committed to integrating innovative pedagogical approaches that encourage active student engagement and foster critical thinking. I strive to create a student-centred learning environment that encourages the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. This includes the use of case studies, role-playing, and interactive learning techniques that allow students to apply their learning in a practical context. I am also dedicated to providing personalised support through initiatives such as the PAT+ Programme for MSc Health Psychology students, which offers tailored guidance to foster academic and personal development.
Additionally, I have a strong interest in mentoring and supervising students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I supervise research projects in health psychology, behavioural science, and public health, with a focus on fostering independent research skills and helping students explore relevant topics within these fields.
I am deeply committed to bridging the gap between academia and policy. This includes working on research that addresses health disparities, health promotion, and policy development to influence both individual and public health outcomes. Through ongoing collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and participation in professional networks and conferences, I aim to stay at the forefront of health psychology research and contribute to the advancement of public health policies that promote greater equity and well-being.
Research interests
As an early career researcher, my research to date has focused on the role of cognitive biases - such as attention, interpretation, and memory - in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. I have experience employing various psychophysiological methods (e.g., eye-tracking technology) and experimental paradigms (e.g., emotional Stroop, visual probe, free-viewing) to investigate cognitive biases in both acute and chronic pain populations.
In addition to chronic pain, I am actively involved in research exploring the role of cognitive biases in other populations, such as individuals with mathematics anxiety and those with tendencies toward disordered eating.
I also have significant interest in several other research areas within Health Psychology, specifically:
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Women’s health: Investigating the psychological impact of living with chronic conditions like endometriosis, focusing on coping strategies, stigma, and the barriers to accessing healthcare and support.
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Pain: Exploring how cognitive biases contribute to the experience and management of chronic pain conditions in a range of populations (e.g., musculoskeletal pain, endometriosis, fibromyalgia). Moreover, investigating how pain stigma affects individuals' help-seeking behaviours, healthcare experiences, and overall well-being.
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Breast cancer screening uptake: Exploring the barriers and facilitators of breast cancer screening uptake, particularly focusing on psychological factors such as fear, stigma, and perceived health risks that impact individuals’ willingness to participate in screening programmes. I am actively involved in research which spans a number of countries including England, Malta and Greece.
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Prostate cancer: Understanding the psychological aspects of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the role of stigma, awareness, and the psychosocial impact of living with and beyond prostate cancer.
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Vaccination: Understanding the psychological factors that influence vaccination uptake, particularly regarding childhood vaccinations, and addressing barriers and facilitators in specific populations (e.g., parents of young children). I am Director of Studies (DoS) for a PhD programme of research led by Stephanie Davey who is exploring influenza vaccination uptake in children.
Membership of professional bodies
Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (present)
As a contributor to the Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (APDP), I engage in multidisciplinary research focused on understanding the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms of chronic pain. My aim is to facilitate the integration of psychological science into translational pain research, contributing to innovative approaches for pain assessment, intervention, and policy development.
Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society (present)
As a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), I uphold the highest standards of professional psychological practice. This status reflects my advanced training, experience, and ethical commitment to applying psychological principles to benefit individuals and communities. It also enables me to contribute to the ongoing development of the profession through research, supervision, and applied work.
See: https://portal.bps.org.uk/Psychologist-Search/Chartered-Member-List/Member-Details?entityid=91d4352a-fdfb-ed11-8f6d-6045bd11f4fc
Deputy Chair, Midlands Health Psychology Network (present)
As Deputy Chair of the Midlands Health Psychology Network, I play an active role in fostering collaboration and promoting the professional development of health psychologists across the region. This role allows me to engage with colleagues in advancing health psychology practice and research.
See: https://midshealthpsych.com/
Fellow, Higher Education Academy (HEA, present)
I am a Fellow of the HEA, reflecting my commitment to high-quality teaching and learning practices in higher education. This recognition highlights my dedication to enhancing student engagement and supporting academic development.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Psychology (First Class) - University of Derby - 2013 to 2017.
Dissertation title – Examining Attentional Bias in Mathematics Anxiety: a visual-probe approach
MSc Health Psychology (Distinction) - University of Derby - 2017 to 2018.
Thesis title: Exploring Attentional Bias in Acute Experimental Pain: a visual-probe and eye-tracking approach
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Pass) - University of Derby - 2018 to 2022.
Thesis title: Exploring Cognitive Biases in Pain: Investigating Attention, Interpretation and Memory Bias. External examiners: Professor Christopher Eccleston and Professor Tamar Pincus.
Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship, APA (Pass) - University of Derby - 2024 to 2025.
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Leadership, FHEA (Pass) - University of Derby - 2024 to 2025.
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (Pass) - University of Derby - 2024 to 2025.
Recent conferences
British Psychological Society. (2019). Cognitive Psychology Section & Developmental Psychology Section Joint Conference. Poster Presentation: "Exploring Attentional Biases in Acute Experimental Pain: a Visual-Probe and Eye-tracking Study".
East Midlands Doctoral Network. (2021). 3MT. Oral Presentation: "Exploring Cognitive Biases in Pain: The role of Attention, Interpretation and Memory Biases".
British Pain Society. (2023). 56th Annual Scientific Meeting. Poster presentation: "Do individuals with chronic pain display interpretation and memory (recall and recognition) biases for pain-related information?".
University of Derby (2024). Early career research conference. Poster presentation: " Investigating the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine decision-making among parents of children aged 5–11 in the UK".
Midlands Health Psychology Network. (2024). 19th Annual Conference - "Health psychology: Optimal health for all". Role: co-organiser.
Midlands Health Psychology Network. (2025). 20th Annual Conference - "Building the future of health psychology". Role: co-organiser.
International experience
As Head of the 'Gaffiero Health Behaviour Research Group' I collaborate with experts internationally. I am supervising students on a number of projects, including breast screening uptake in Greece and Malta, respectively.
Recent publications
*Roberts, M., & Gaffiero, D. (2025). Exploring barriers and facilitators to effective self-management in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2517870
*Maher, C., & Gaffiero, D. (2025). Exploring the lived experiences of patients with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom: a study of patient-general practitioner communication. Psychology & Health, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2025.2474013
*Fenech, B., & Gaffiero, D. (2025). Investigating Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement With the National Breast Screening Programme Among Women in Malta: A Systematic Review. Advances in Public Health, 2025(1), 1301714.
*Davey, S. A., Elander, J., Woodward, A., Head, M. G., & Gaffiero, D. (2025). Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 21(1), 2457198.
*Davey, S. A., Hampson, C., Christodoulaki, M. E., & Gaffiero, D. (2024). Investigating the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine decision-making among parents of children aged 5–11 in the UK. Vaccine, 42(22), 126021.
*Davey, S. A., & Gaffiero, D. (2024). COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5–11: a systematic review of parental barriers and facilitators in Western countries. Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy, 12, 25151355241288115.
Gaffiero, D., Staples, P., Staples, V., & Maratos, F. A. (2022). Interpretation biases in pain: Validation of two new stimulus sets. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 784887.
NB: Bold font indicates role as first or corresponding author. * indicates student-supported publications.