Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group

The Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group (PSRG) seeks to explore the relationship between psychosocial stress, well-being and health and determine the physiological pathways that mediate such associations. The group examines the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a mediator of these links and has particular expertise in measurement of salivary cortisol secretion, particularly in the post-awakening period.

The PSRG was founded in 1989 by Professors Angela Clow, Frank Hucklebridge and Phil Evans, who came from very different backgrounds in terms of expertise and discipline: psychopharmacology, neuroendocrinology and health psychology. This was the first UK research group systematically to undertake research in the nascent area of Psychoneuroimmunology. Together they have published many peer-reviewed journal articles, books and book chapters, and supervised numerous PhD students. Nina Smyth, Robin Law and Lisa Thorn, previous PhD students of the group, are current members of the PSRG. Angela and Phil continue to make significant contributions as Emeritus Professors, along with Maria Flynn, Research Fellow in psychology and Doctoral student Natasha Ramachandran.

Individual members of the group and the group have received funding from the Welcome Trust, Nuffield Foundation, National Institute for Health Research, the Bial Foundation, British Academy, the Sir Halley Stewart Trust and the Department of Work and Pensions/Department of Health and Social work (Unit’s Challenge Fund).