- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group
- Centre for Psychological Sciences
- Homelands
About me
Dr Natasha Ramachandran is a Chartered Psychologist, Lecturer in Psychology and Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Completing her PhD in 2023, Natasha has an extensive understanding of both complex statistical analyses and qualitative research methods, specialising in cortisol research methodologies.
Dr Ramachandran is a dedicated advocate for students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. She currently serves as Chair of the Sanctuary at Westminster Working Group, leading strategic efforts to enhance university-wide support, embracing a culture of welcome. This role builds upon her previous impact, including her moderation of the April 2025 roundtable discussion on refugee support, and aligns with her broader mission of promoting institutional inclusivity and student wellbeing.
Her current research actively investigates inclusive research methodologies, prioritising practices that are equitable and accessible to diverse populations. This approach allows for richer and more nuanced understandings of lived experiences, as exemplified by her exhibition during International Women's Day 2024 and Beyond Borders for Refugee week in June 2025 which showcased personal journeys through art and discussion.
Dr Ramachandran has a specific research interest in the wellbeing of first-generation migrants and employs a co-creative research approach. Her pilot study, funded by the University of Westminster’s Health Innovation and Wellbeing community scheme, worked directly with members of the first-generation migrant community to investigate the methodology of the saliva sampling protocol for cortisol research in this specific population.
Teaching
As a part-time doctoral researcher Natasha taught at the University of Westminster and found her love for teaching. An Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Natasha currently teaches across the Department of Psychology - specifically Psychology BSc (Honours), Psychology and Criminology BSc (Honours) and Cognitive Clinical Neuroscience BSc (Honours), running the Physiological Systems module.
Research
Dr Ramachandran’s research focuses on the intersection of stress, biology, and marginalised lived experiences. Her current interests include:
Biomarkers of Health & Wellbeing: Investigating physiological indicators of stress and health specifically within first-generation UK migrant populations.
Women’s Health & Stress: Exploring the unique psychobiological stressors affecting women and their long-term impact on health outcomes.
Co-Creative Methodologies: Utilising participatory research designs to ensure that marginalized communities are active partners in the scientific process.
Natasha was recently awarded funding from the Health Innovation and Wellbeing community scheme (Communities | University of Westminster, London). This grant supports a pilot study working directly with first-generation UK migrants to investigate and refine saliva sampling protocols for cortisol research, ensuring these methodologies are culturally and practically appropriate for the community.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.