Dr. Ria Vaportzis

Biography

I hold an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in Psychology from Monash University. My doctoral research examined dual-tasking in healthy ageing and Huntington’s disease.

During my PhD, I worked as a Teaching Associate at Monash University. After finishing my PhD, I remained at Monash and contributed to three multinational clinical studies in Huntington’s disease.

Later, I joined Heriot-Watt University as a postdoctoral researcher, where I worked on the Tablet for Healthy Ageing project. This work investigated the potential of tablet-based technologies to enhance health, wellbeing, and digital engagement in older adults. Following this project, I was a Research Co-Investigator on the Velux Stiftung-funded project The Intervention Factory, which explored community-based activities (e.g., digital engagement, physical activity, handicrafts, language learning) as scalable interventions to support cognitive ageing.

I subsequently joined the Psychology team at the University of Bradford, where I led the UKRI HEIF-funded Back Onside project. This initiative aimed to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations through structured physical activity interventions, with a strong community partnership focus.

I am currently involved in two funded projects examining service user and clinician perspectives on electronic mental health records, including one as Principal Investigator (funded by UKRI Brad-ATTAIN and NIHR). This work explores digital inclusion, trust, accessibility, and the impact of record access on mental health care experiences and clinical practice.

My current programme of research centres on mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life in long-term conditions, including Raynaud’s phenomenon, and in retired police officers, with a focus on identity transition, resilience, and service-related stress exposure. I also investigate community- and activity-based interventions to support mental and cognitive health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. 

In addition to my psychology qualifications, I hold formal qualifications in languages, sports journalism, personal training, and dance. These diverse areas inform my applied, creative, and community-engaged approach to research and wellbeing.

I welcome prospective PhD students to get in touch if their interests align with my areas of research.

Research

My main research interests lie within the broad field of cognitive psychology. I am particularly interested in interventions that may improve cognition, mental health, quality of life and wellbeing of older adults to help them live independently for longer.

Research projects

Teaching

I am the module leader for Conceptual Issues in Psychology and Mental Health (PSY4012), Cognitive Psychology and Psychobiology (PSY5018), Cognitive Psychology (PSY5008/PSY7010) and Sandwich Year - Study Abroad Experience (PSY5000-Z)

PhD students

2024. Rosemary Awele Ebigwei Omeda. Rumination, worry and self-esteem as factors in depression and anxiety among hypertensive patients in Nigeria. Principal supervisor.

2023. Ammarah Ikram. Perspectives of minority ethnic groups on OpenNotes for mental health. Principal supervisor.

Modules

• Sandwich Year - Study Abroad Experience - PSY5000-Z
• Conceptual Issues in Psychology and Mental Health - PSY4012-B

Professional activities

Publications