The award is made each year by the BPS’ Research Board to recognise outstanding contributions to psychological knowledge made in the course of completing a doctorate in Psychology.
Her work explores the psychology of ‘performance excellence’, with a specific focus on creating an optimal performance environment where individuals can thrive.
This is achieved through recognising and measuring the stressors that performers encounter and then working with performers, coaches, performance directors and other relevant stakeholders to manage these demands and mitigate their potential negative effects.
Dr Arnold, who completed a PhD at Loughborough University, and Dr Lauren Marsh, who completed a PhD at the University of Nottingham, both shared this year’s Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research Contributions to Psychology.
Each of the winners will receive a £500 prize and be invited to deliver a lecture based on their research at the Society's Annual Conference next year.
Commenting, Dr Arnold said: “I am delighted to receive this award from The British Psychological Society for Outstanding Doctoral Research Contributions to Psychology. I would like to thank my PhD supervisors for their support during my doctorate and all those who have supported here at the University of Bath.”
Professor Dorothy Miell, President of the BPS, said: “We were delighted to make awards to two such strong candidates. In both cases their work not only evidences outstanding research skills but also has clear applications and value for groups in society.
“The Society is delighted to see such strong examples of excellent work being done by the next generation of researchers in Psychology. I wish them all the best for their future careers.”
Dr Arnold won her award for these two papers:
Health-related research from the University was recently judged fourth nationally for impact, according to Research Excellence Framework 2014.