- Centre for Psychological Sciences
About me
I am a health psychologist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a Chartered Psychologist on the register of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of Leeds and undertook my PhD at Oxford Brookes University. I lectured at the University of Bath before joining Psychology at the University of Westminster.
Much of my research has investigated the management of long-term conditions and understanding patient and caregiver experiences. An overarching theme of my research is to support and enhance wellbeing, with a focus on the design and evaluation of mind-body interventions.
I am Director of the Westminster Centre for Psychological Sciences and lead the Applied Yoga Research Group. I am also Course Leader for the MSc Health Psychology.
Teaching
My main teaching relates to Health Psychology and research methods. I lead modules on the undergraduate (Health Psychology) and postgraduate programmes (Theories & Perspectives in Health Psychology). I also contribute to various other teaching, primarily in research methods with a particular focus on qualitative approaches. I supervise both quantitative and qualitative projects, primarily at postgraduate level.
Research
My research focuses on understanding people’s experiences of living with long-term physical and mental health conditions, and designing interventions to support health and wellbeing. A core area of my research explores the impact of yoga-based practices on health in diverse populations, including evaluating the effectiveness of the first yoga social prescribing programme, supporting its wider roll-out in the UK and beyond. I founded and lead the Applied Yoga Research Group.
Other research streams examine experiences and support needs of caregivers and the factors that shape support during the menopause transition. I have particular expertise in qualitative and mixed methods approaches.
I am open to supervising PhD students in these areas.
Recent Funding:
Portraits of Care: Developing resources for organisations supporting caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s in Brazil. Cartwright, T. UKRI, £17,893. 2023.
Portraits of Care: Experiences of carers of people with Alzheimer’s during Covid-19. Roche/ Studio Health, 183k. Cartwright, T. (PI), Loveday, C. & Ridge, D. 2021-2023.
Impact of the podcast series 'Menopause: Unmuted' on how women learn and talk about menopause. Pfizer, £42k. Cartwright, T. (PI) 2020.
Understanding the needs of those supporting students who self-harm: What can we do to help? Smyth, Mackenzie, and Cartwright. Sir Halley Stewart Trust. £69,180.
Yoga on social prescription in West London: a mixed methods evaluation. West London CCG, £73,400,Cartwright (PI) and Cheshire. Oct 2017-Nov 2019.
The impact of GP burnout and resilience on patient care. Quinton Hogg Trust, £75,000. Ridge, Peters, & Cartwright, 2017-2020.
Evaluating the impact of an immersive disease simulation programme (‘In Their Shoes’) on pharmaceutical employees’ empathy and engagement. Halton and Cartwright (PI). Takeda Pharmaceuticals. £45,425.00. 2017-2018.
Service Evaluation of Individualised Yoga Intervention (IYI). Colacao, Sodhi, Cartwright. London North West Healthcare Charitable Fund, 2017-2018. £5,000.
University students who self-harm: what can we do to help? Mackenzie, Cartwright & Borrill, British Academy £9,000. 2017-2018.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.