(She/her) 2023 | MSc Earth Futures Research, University of Glasgow

Hi! My name is Rhiannon and I am currently undertaking an MSc in Earth Futures Research at the University of Glasgow. My main research area focuses on the impact of climate change on mental health and well-being. I have been working in this area over the past three years with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) being involved in various podcasts, conferences and webinars. I also work for the RCPsych in helping to rewrite the training framework for higher clinical trainees in England who want to become psychiatrists specialising in working with Autistic people. I have also published two academic journal articles surrounding these topics for the Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH).

I am highly passionate about researching the impacts of climate change on mental health and well-being as climate change is increasingly posing a direct threat to both human and non-human welfare. Thus, mitigation and adaptation strategies must be developed to protect all communities globally against these threats. Furthermore, I undertake the work of rewriting the autism training programme because as an autistic person, I want to ensure that our community is better understood by medical professionals to attempt to dismantle harmful stereotypes placed upon our bodies. In terms of the future, I have been awarded a fully funded PhD by the UKRI to research to understand the impacts of flooding and drought on community mental health in Scotland. The research findings would be used to develop risk management plans which could be adopted by the Scottish Government. After this, I would like to pursue a career in policymaking to ensure all voices, particularly disabled voices, are heard when developing climate mitigation policies to end the perpetuation of eco-ableism.