School of Social Sciences and Professions staff profiles content store_hidden Monika Hunter Our staff

Dr Hunter is a specialist in cognitive health with a particular interest in ageing and neurodegenerative conditions. After completing her doctoral studies in Neuropsychology at the University of Edinburgh she became a university lecturer teaching and supervising doctoral trainees in clinical psychology. She has also previously worked for the National Health Service where she gained first-hand experience working with neurological patients and their families.

Memberships:

• Chartered Member of The British Psychological Society
• Member of The British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology

Dr Hunter primary research interests are related to the nature of emotional and cognitive skill deficits in old age. Her work in the area of neuropsychology involves assessment of healthy older adults, as well as patients with stroke or dementia. However, Dr Hunter expertise is not limited to these topics as in the past she supervised projects looking at the recreational drug use or therapeutic interventions in applied mental health settings.

Doctoral students supervised to completion:

• Issac Akande: Neuropsychology Akande, Isaac Oluwamayowa (2017). Assessment of theory of mind in stroke populations. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Monika Wieliczko: Clinical Psychology Wieliczko, Monika J. (2016). Psychological effects of MDMA. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Emma Hart: Neuropsychology Hart, E. (2018). An exploration of influences on recovery from acquired brain injuries. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Jessica Hooker: Neuropsychology Hooker, J. (2018). An exploration into response validity. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Jessica Harvey: Neuropsychology Harvey, J. (2018). Ageing and health literacy. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Matthew Wilkinson: Clinical Psychology Wilkinson, M. (2018) The experiences of therapists providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for dissociative seizures in the CODES randomized controlled trial,. D.Clin.Psychol. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.

NHS England: Review and supervision of Quality Improvement Project (+50)

Dr Hunter is a lecturer/research supervisor for the following undergraduate and postgraduate courses:

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Developmental Psychology and Cognition
• Counselling and Coaching Across the Lifespan
• Advanced Research Design Being a Psychologist: Scientist & Practitioner
• Research Project and Critical Skills
• Dissertation Supervision
• Doctoral student supervision

• Wilkinson, M., Day. E., Purnell, J., Pilecka, I., Perdue, I., Murray, J., Hunter, E.M., and Goldstein, L.H. (2020). The experiences of therapists providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for dissociative seizures in the CODES randomized controlled trial: A qualitative study. Epilepsy and Behaviour, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106943
• Charlesworth, J.E.G, Petkovic, G, Kelley, JM, Hunter, E.M. et al.(2017). Effects of placebos without deception compared with no treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Evidence Based Medicine, 10: 97-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/jebm.1225
• Cavallo, M., Hunter, E.M., van der Hiele, K. & Angilleta, C. (2016). Computerised structured cognitive training in patients affected by early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease is feasible and effective: A Randomised Controlled Study. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 31 (8), 868-876. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acw072
• Hunter, E.M., Phillips, H. & MacPherson, S.E. (2016). Where is my key? Where is his key? Perspective-taking and social sensitivity of the Key Search task. Cortex, 76, 131-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2015.11.008
• Hunter, E.M., Phillips, L.H., & MacPherson, S.E. (2010). Effects of age on cross-modal emotion perception. Psychology and Aging, 25(4), 779–787. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020528

Grants:

• Does health information presented in video benefit older adults’ comprehension more than health information in a written form? Grant funded by CCCU, (£2,868), January 2014
• "How do you know what others feel? A psychophysiological study of social cognition and ageing". Two-year grant funded by Bial Foundation, (£36,000), 2009-2011
• University of Edinburgh, Department of Psychology Small Research Grants (up to £5,000): April 2008, December 2008, December 2009, December 2010

Other small grants (up to £5,000):

• Canterbury Christ Church University: QR Small Grants Fund
• Canterbury Christ Church University: Research & Enterprise Development Centre
• BPS Cognitive Section Bursary
• British Neuropsychological Society Grants
• Experimental Psychological Society Grants
• Guarantors of Brain Bursary

Awards:

• University of Edinburgh Teaching Award 2012
• Award for Best Thesis
• Award for Excellence in Project Work

Dr Hunter's mission is to help people to better understand their cognitive health and detect early signs of cognitive decline. She is collaborating with various charities, clinics and institutions both in the UK and Europe in order to promote cognitive health and well-being of older adults.

Dr Hunter established and ran a successful clinical practice. She successfully delivered neuropsychological training to health care professionals and enabled effective assessments to identify early signs of dementia.