Olivia Goncalves BSc, MSc, MBPsS, FHEA, PGCHE

Olivia Goncalves

Dubai Campus
Deputy Director of Foundation Psychology, Senior Tutor (Dubai), Lecturer in Psychology
Lecturer in Psychology

Contact details

Address
University of Birmingham Dubai
Dubai International Academic City
Block 2, PO Box 341799
Dubai, UAE

Olivia Goncalves is a Deputy Director for the Foundation programme, leads the Psychology foundation programme, and teaches on the undergraduate Psychology programmes in Dubai and in Edgbaston. She also provides leadership and support on issues related to personal academic tutoring at the Dubai campus in her role as Senior Tutor. 

Olivia is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Member of the British Psychological Society. 

Her substantive research interests include mental health, education, individual behaviours and social and cultural contexts. Olivia frequently contributes to both the local and national media writing and speaking on radio on mental health and well-being related topics.

Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • PGCHE (University of Birmingham)
  • MSc in Business Psychology (Heriot-Watt University)
  • BSc in Psychology with Management (Heriot-Watt University)

Biography

Olivia majored in Psychology for her BSc and MSc and is a currently a doctoral Researcher in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Using quantitative and qualitative design, her research aims to identify psychological factors in academic achievement and investigate the relationship between factors such as mental health and various individual differences with academic outcomes. Olivia’s research focuses on students at international branch campuses. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PGCHE from the University of Birmingham. 

Olivia joined the University of Birmingham in 2019, with significant experience in Higher Education in the Middle East. Prior to joining the University, Olivia established the foundation programme at another highly ranked University in the United Arab Emirates.

 Olivia leads and teaches introductory psychology modules for students on the 4-year BSc Psychology programme in Dubai and teaches modules in social psychology and developing skills on the undergraduate programmes

Teaching

Foundation Psychology Dubai

Undergraduate Psychology Dubai & Edgbaston

Research

Olivia uses mixed methods to study psychological factors that can predict academic achievement including:

Mental health in university students

Psychological capital resources such as efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience