Katharine Fryer

(she/her)

BSc (Hons)

Overview

I am a first-year PhD student at the School of Psychology, primarily investigating the mental health, wellbeing, and relationships of adopted young people. My research charts the mental health trajectories of adoptees as they transition into secondary school, characterising their relationships and support needs. I am aiming to understand the psychological and interpersonal processes which can make school particularly challenging for adoptees.

My research is primarily qualitative - interviewing young people and their families gives me the opportunity to learn about their experiences directly. I am also utilising longitudinal data and a mixed methodological approach to create a larger contextual picture which can inform how professional support can be used in adoption. I am also focused on amplifying the voices of adoptees, as their views and opinions have often gone unheard in research.