Our People – Dr Valentina Canessa-Pollard

Dr Valentina Canessa-Pollard is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Programme Lead for BSc Counselling Psychology and MSc Coaching Psychology. 

Tell us about your role at the university. 

I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Criminology. My role combines teaching, supervision, research, and leadership of several initiatives.  

I also lead on sustainability-focused projects within the department and I direct The Human Factor, a psychology-informed initiative that supports businesses and organisations in transforming workplace culture through CPD, consultancy, and coaching.  

On the research front, I am Lab Lead for the Research in Practice Group and the Sexualised Abuse and Violence Lab, both of which bring together staff and PhD students to conduct research with meaningful social impact. I am also part of the Global Research on Gender, Sexuality and Identity network, which most recently has centred on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and well-being. 

When did you join and what brought you here? 

I joined the University of Chichester in 2021 after working in both academic and applied settings, most notably the charity sector. What really attracted me was the university’s values-driven approach and its supportive, community feel. I was also drawn to the opportunity to build innovative research and teaching programmes that connect psychology to real-world challenges. 

What’s an average day at work like for you? 

There’s no such thing as a completely ‘average’ day! My time is usually a mix of teaching, supervising undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, developing research projects,  supporting staff through line management, and connecting with colleagues across the university and beyond.  

Some days I might be working closely with students on their dissertations, other days I’m leading a research meeting, or delivering a workshop with businesses through The Human Factor.  

The days are often full and busy, but what makes a huge difference is the strong team spirit among colleagues. I enjoy the variety, as it keeps me engaged and learning all the time. 

What do you love most about working at the University of Chichester? 

The people. I feel very lucky to work with such supportive and inspiring colleagues and students. There’s a strong sense of community here, and the university really encourages innovation and collaboration. I also value the freedom to shape my teaching and research in ways that align with my passions, especially around coaching psychology, sustainability, and social impact. 

What is your greatest achievement in your job or research? 

One of my greatest achievements has been setting up the first UK BPS-accredited MSc in Coaching Psychology here at Chichester. It has been incredibly rewarding to shape a programme that not only builds the profession but also supports students to develop into reflective, skilled coaching psychologists. Alongside this, I’m proud of how we’ve built on the BSc Counselling Psychology to strengthen students’ person-centred skills, enabling them to go on into a variety of roles in wellbeing, health, coaching, counselling, and beyond. For me, the real achievement lies in helping to prepare the psychologists of the future. 

In research, I’m especially proud of leading projects that connect psychology with real-world challenges, from developing coaching and eco-therapy approaches to support climate-related wellbeing, to co-producing interventions that address online harms and workplace culture. These strands of work share a common aim: to create meaningful impact for individuals, organisations, and communities. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

I’m passionate about making psychology meaningful and accessible beyond academia, whether that’s through coaching, public engagement, or collaborative research. At the heart of my work is a commitment to supporting people to thrive, while also contributing to a fairer and more sustainable world.