Profile
Victoria Simms
My CV
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Education:
1994-2001: Victoria College Belfast; 2002-2008: Queen’s University Belfast
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Qualifications:
BSc Psychology; PhD Psychology
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Work History:
Heriot Watt University, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Leicester, University of Ulster
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Current Job:
Lecturer in Psychology
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Most people think that a psychologist is someone who talks to people about their problems. Of course, some of us do that but there are lots of other things psychologists do. One very important thing is research. My research involves creating interesting and fun games for children to play that help us understand how they think about things and learn. I am really interesting in how young children learn about maths, how children’s memory gets better with age and also following up children who were born very early (preterm) to see how they do in school. My work is very varied! I get to work with other scientists in different universities and also work with research students. I love my job!
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My Typical Day
Having meetings with other scientists, talking to students about their work, doing maths, playing games and teaching classes.
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A typical day doesn’t really exist in my job! Some days I will be out at lots of meetings talking to other scientists about our projects. Some days I teach classes on psychology to university students. Some days I am out in nursery schools or primary schools working with children, mainly playing games that I have made for the computer. Most days I meet with students to talk about the work they are doing. I also spend a lot of time doing maths on some of the information that I have from children to work out how they think. Once this is done I write it up and it is published in a journal (a sort of book).
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What I'd do with the prize money
Use it to host a mega Psychology day!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Enthusiastic, energetic and honest!
What did you want to be after you left school?
A psychologist, but one that talks to people about their problems not a scientist!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not often, but if I was it was because I talked too much.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I really love First Aid Kit, they are my favourite band (at the minute!).
What's your favourite food?
A spicy Thai curry.
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Going camping in the Outer Hebrides (Scottish Islands)- it was VERY windy, but VERY beautiful.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To keep doing good science, to be a fun and engaging teacher and to travel to Asia!
Tell us a joke.
Q: Why was the mathematician late for his meeting? A: Because he took the Rhom-bus! (Get it??)
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