Dr Lee Shepherd

Assistant Professor

School: Psychology

I completed my BSc in Applied Psychology and my MSc in Social Science Research methods at Cardiff University. In 2011, I completed an ESRC funded PhD at Cardiff University, assessing the role of (anticipated) emotions in promoting prosocial intergroup behaviour. I subsequently worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Stirling, before coming to Northumbria University.

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Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

My research focuses on the role of emotions on human behaviour. I have looked at the role of emotions on group-processes (e.g., discrimination and colleactive action) and health-related behaviours (e.g., organ donation, human milk donation, breastfeeding, sexual health screening, cervical screening). In addition, I look at people's emotional response to experiencing discrimination. I also undertake research looking at how emotions and group processes influence psychological well-being.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Fake Content, Harmful Emotions: The Influence of Being a Victim-Survivor of Sexualised Deepfakes on Women’s Aversive Emotions and Desire for Legal Action, Shepherd, L., Sopina, D., Dawson, J., Brown, G., Paterson, J. 1 Aug 2026, In: Sex Roles
Human or not? An Experimental Investigation of Xenotransplantation Acceptability Across Donation Contexts, Pal, M., Adegbaju, O., McLaughlin, L., Mills, R., Noyes, J., Okubanjo, A., Richardson, J., Shepherd, L., Ferguson, E. May 2026, In: Xenotransplantation
Why vaccine misinformation sticks: the emotional roots of vaccine hesitancy, Jolley, D., Shepherd, L., Maughan, A. May 2026, In: Biochemist
It’s not Fine Online: Assessing the Emotional Consequences of Online Sexual Objectification and its Effect on Behaviour, Shepherd, L., Dewing, V. 1 Oct 2025, In: Sex Roles
The Fear Factor: Examining the Impact of Fear on Vaccine Hesitancy and Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs, Jolley, D., Shepherd, L., Maughan, A. 2 Dec 2025, In: Psychology & Health
The Role of Moral-Outrage, Shame-Based Emotions, Fear and Pride in Predicting Self-Objectification, Personal Safety Concerns, and Loneliness following Sexual Objectification, Shepherd, L., Coakley, M., Edge, C. 1 Jul 2025, In: Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Assessing the Influence of Affective Attitudes, Demography and Blood Donor Status on Organ Donor Registration Active Decisions in Opt-Out Systems, Shepherd, L., O'Carroll, R., Ferguson, E. 1 Jul 2024, In: Journal of Health Psychology
Consequences of arbitrary binning the midpoint category in survey data: an illustration with student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, Pollet, T., Bilalic, M., Shepherd, L. 1 Nov 2024, In: Studies in Higher Education
Determinants of Routine Cervical Screening Participation in Underserved Women: A Qualitative Systematic Review, Wearn, A., Shepherd, L. 1 Feb 2024, In: Psychology & Health
Assessing the Factors that Influence the Donation of a Deceased Family Member’s Organs in an Opt-Out System for Organ Donation, Shepherd, L., O’Carroll, R., Ferguson, E. 1 Jan 2023, In: Social Science & Medicine

PGR Supervision

Anna Maughan Emotion-based processes and medical conspiracy theories: Investigating the association between emotions, medical conspiracy beliefs and health-intentions. Start Date: 31/01/2022 End Date: 09/10/2025
Kevin Stoodley An investigation into the impact of a UK school-based social norms intervention to address young peoples’ (aged 13-15 years) risk taking behaviours associated with alcohol and sexual activity. Start Date: 01/10/2013 End Date: 19/05/2026
Amy Sorrell Keen on Green: Working with residents to develop interventions for promoting biodiversity in urban green space Start Date: 01/10/2024

Qualifications