PhD Project: The impact of urban policies for social inequalities in mental healthThe objective of the project is to gain in-depth understanding of factors that affect mental health of city residents. I am particularly interested in studying how socio-economic problems affect mental health and how population mental health could be improved by adressing systemic financial and socio-economic hardship. In my work, I use both qualitative and quantitative methods. With the… Show more PhD Project: The impact of urban policies for social inequalities in mental healthThe objective of the project is to gain in-depth understanding of factors that affect mental health of city residents. I am particularly interested in studying how socio-economic problems affect mental health and how population mental health could be improved by adressing systemic financial and socio-economic hardship. In my work, I use both qualitative and quantitative methods. With the qualitative approach I am interested in understanding the perspectives of local mental health experts in several cities around Europe. What I appreciate about qualitative methodology is that it allows me to embrace epistemic pluralism or different ways of knowing and understanding of mental health. Whereas the quantitative methodology that I am using is based in the counterfactual framework, and allows me to imagine "better cities" by setting counterfactual scenarios and hypothetical interventions on the socio-economic determinants of mental health to reduce inequalities.My project is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN - SURREAL. Show less

As a part of the JRC Programme, I am supervising a team of psychology students and recent graduates on a qualitative research project "Improving mental health through urban policy: How do European cities address the social determinants of mental health?"

As a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) I was working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties (low mood, anxiety, panic attacks) by applying principles of Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.Additionally, in response to the staff shortages due to the Covid-19 pandemic I was redeployed as a Healthcare Assistant at the Cambridge Rehabilitation Unit for 2 months (February - March 2021).

Assisted with the Behaviour Change by Design research projects to assess the effectiveness of interventions tackling excessive food, alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Collaborated with an international group of psychology students and recent graduates to work on a research project investigating the impact of passive social media use on wellbeing, supervised by Amy Orben (Oxford University).

My main responsibilities included: - Managing marketing activities for psychological board games and training programmes. - Organising personal development trainings, seminars, board-game-based training sessions. - Writing grant applications for European Regional Development Fund funding via Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). - Coordination of application and participation in exhibitions at the following conferences: *123rd American… Show more My main responsibilities included: - Managing marketing activities for psychological board games and training programmes. - Organising personal development trainings, seminars, board-game-based training sessions. - Writing grant applications for European Regional Development Fund funding via Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). - Coordination of application and participation in exhibitions at the following conferences: *123rd American Psychological Association Annual Convention 2015 in Toronto, Canada *Spielwarenmesse 2016, Nuremberg, Germany *124th American Psychological Association Annual Convention 2016 in Denver, USA *International Congress of Psychology 2016 in Yokohama, Japan *1st Middle East Psychological Association Conference & Expo 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. *125th American Psychological Association Annual Convention 2017 in Washington, DC, USA Show less

My main responsibilities included organising promotional events, presenting at info sessions and Master's Open days, supporting outreach activities and recruitment of potential candidates for the PREMIUM Programme which is an extracurricular honours programme for highly motivated master's students at Maastricht University that aims to bridge the gap between the academia and industry.

By applying choice architecture methods based on findings in social psychology and behavioral economics, I was testing how default healthy meals could be implemented in the university canteen to nudge healthier food choices.

PREMIUM is Maastricht University’s Honours programme for high-performing, motivated master’s students.During this project I was working for Marres, Centre for Contemporary Culture. Together with my interdisciplinary team we developed a digital platform that encourages people to discover the city of Maastricht through their senses. This project is a part of a broader framework of Marres that aims to help people to discover world and art through experiences within the sensorium.

During this internship I worked closely with clinical psychologists to administer psychological assessments using personality and cognitive skills tests for service users with various mental health difficulties. I was also leading psycho-educational group sessions for patients with depression, anxiety and alcohol addiction using CBT techniques.

My main duties were:- Psychological assessments for students with learning and mental health difficulties. I conducted family history interviews and administered personality and cognitive skills tests.- Planning and organising class team building events to promote cooperation, empathy and tolerance.- Career counselling for the senior year students. This internship taught me how to integrate information from multiple sources (i.e. test results, interviews with students… Show more My main duties were:- Psychological assessments for students with learning and mental health difficulties. I conducted family history interviews and administered personality and cognitive skills tests.- Planning and organising class team building events to promote cooperation, empathy and tolerance.- Career counselling for the senior year students. This internship taught me how to integrate information from multiple sources (i.e. test results, interviews with students, parents and teachers) to ensure appropriate psychological support is provided to the students. Show less