Dr Claire Howlin

Claire predominantly works at the intersection between health psychology and the performing arts, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, lab experiments, longitudinal studies, interviews and focus groups.

She completed her PhD at University College Dublin, where she identified the importance of agency and absorption in music listening interventions for wellbeing, following which, she completed postdoctoral positions in Trinity College Dublin, and Queen Mary University of London. Her Masters in Music Mind and Brain from Goldsmiths, University of London, focussed on physiological responses to contemporary dance. Claire has two undergraduate-level degrees, a BSc in Therapeutic Radiography from Trinity College Dublin, and a HDip in Psychology from University College Dublin.

Currently, Claire is a Junior Research Fellow in Wolfson College, and a Research Associate in the Autism Research Centre in the University of Cambridge. She also holds a Creative Health Research Fellowship from the department of Arts and Sciences in University College London where she works collaboratively to identify the educational needs of clinical health professionals in relation to the scientific basis of visual arts and music interventions and engages with the National Centre of Creative Health and Royal College of Public health to build awareness about creative health approaches, and to translate these research findings into public policy. She is also an elected member of the American Psychology Association, division of arts, aesthetics, and creativity.