Member Bios

Student Member Profiles

Glen Carrigan

Chair / President

Course: Masters by Research in Neuropsychology

Hi everyone, we founded the society in 2014 after a successful event called ‘An Evening of Science and Reason‘ to cater to everyone on campus who is interested in all matters skeptical! I’m a neuropsychology research student, senior research assistant in clinical practice, and senior demonstrator/associate lecturer in the Psychology Department at UCLan, as well as a regular speaker at skeptical events up and down the country. I’m passionate about engagement in science, equality, free expression, education and ethical decision making in order to promote a more enlightened society. Before coming to UCLan I was a serving soldier and communications liaison in the Middle East, and I’m now active in many areas of social and political activism. It’s my job to enable and facilitate your ideas so that we can build an inclusive, cohesive, engaging and interesting society for all!

 

Mel Barker

2014-2015 Secretary

Course: Bsc (Hons)  Neuropsychology

I am a first year Neuropsychology student at the University of Central Lancashire and have been passionate about science for as long as I can remember. After spending several of my teenage years actively involved in a Pentecostal church, I eventually left (after being heavily encouraged to leave) because I refused to deny evolution. Ever since I have been obsessed with the power that religion has in society, the factors which contribute to the formation of religious belief and the idea we are evolutionarily adapted to become both leaders and followers. I’ve also had a fascination with alternative medicine and pseudoscience ever since I realised the Berlin Wall could be purchased as a homeopathic remedy (or Murus Berlinensis if you’d like its more official sounding name). It was a great privilege to be able to volunteer for Project Science and Reason and I’m looking forward to being able to work with people so passionate and dedicated to science.

Hamza Naseer

2014-2015 Treasurer

Course: PhD Psychology

Thesis: ‘Honour’-Based Violence (HBV) perpetration and victimisation in the UK: The development of a dynamic risk assessment approach. The United Nations (2000) estimates that nearly 5000 women are murdered by their own families in the name of honour every year. ‘Honour’ killings, however, are only a part of the greater problem of ‘honour’ based violence (HBV). In Britain there were over 2,800 cases of HBV reported to the 39 police forces in 2010 alone, and the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation estimates that a further 500 incidents may have been reported to the 13 forces who did not participate in data collection (IKWRO, 2011). My PhD research aims to develop a dynamic approach towards the risk assessment of HBV victimisation and perpetration thus empowering social workers, clinicians, and law enforcement who deal with this type of violence.

Ben Rumford

Treasurer

Course: Bsc (Hons) Physics

Hey my names Ben, I am studying physics at UClan and I am passionate about science and as a result I like to defend it from religious beliefs and due to this I set up Legendary League Of Logic where atheists, humanists, secularists, and skeptics can communicate and also for the opportunity for those who follow religion to come and debate and ask questions about science /evolution etc.

 

Jessica Catherine Crawford

Course: Bsc (Hons) Forensic Psychology

I am a BSc Forensic Psychology student, graduating in Summer 2014. I will be continuing on with the forensic specialism into an MSc heading for full chartership as a Forensic Psychologist, with the possibility of a PhD.

My journey through UCLan and involvement with research has been a hugely fulfilling experience. I feel psychology is a vital subject in such a wide variety of areas. In terms of Forensic psychology it is hugely important in attempting to reduce recidivism by adapting a range of therapeutic interventions that are sculpted to the different types of offenders and individuals. Eyewitness research also has an important place, in influencing the legal system and how a variety of authorities operate, from police to juries, lawyers and judges. Research into Forensic psychology is helping to better understand criminals, crime actions, eyewitness malleability and victimology, to name but a few, and aiming to make our society a safer place to be. I think this is a brilliant opportunity for the public to get engaged with science and realise all it has to offer!

 

David Romero

Course: Bsc (Hons) Neuroscience

I am David Romero Perez. As an international student I came from Spain to study Neuroscience at UCLan. The university and my teachers made me feel welcome and supported my enthusiasm. In the future I would like to develop my career by doing PhD on an area related to brain biology. I feel volunteering for events like PSR adds much needed experience to supplement my degree and helps to engage the public in science.

 

 

Ben Constable

Course: BA (Fd) Sports Development with Sports Injuries

Ben is a UCLan graduate and owner of Forward Sports Fitness with a range of experience in medical care from fitness instruction to first aid which has led to many qualifications including: Diploma in Personal Training, Diploma in GP Referral, Masters in Personal Training, St John Ambulance Event First Aid Qualified and NHS Responder. Ben has provided medical cover for many internal and external events and has been the medic at 53 Degrees UcLan Student union for 10 yrs. He believes that understanding and researching science is an absolute must for the human species. If humans are to cure disease, reach into the cosmos and develop our consciousness then we must develop our understanding of the worlds around us.

 

Emma Lowrie

Course: PhD Research Psychology

Thesis: Is Paranormal Belief a Unique Form of Coping

I began my career by completing my BSC Hons Psychology degree at UCLan. Since then I have progressed to studying for my PhD through completing a research internship and helping to collect data and contributing to literature reviews for a number of publications that are currently in preparation. I enjoy all aspects of my university life at UCLan, one of these is Project Science and Reason which I am honoured to be a part of as it allows me to help engage the public in subjects that I find truly fascinating

 

James Cheal

Course: Bsc (Hons) Psychology Graduate

I am a BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate of the University of Central Lancashire and currently working in the NHS. I’m lifelong philosopher, a keen scientist and a professional musician. James future aims to continue researching neuropsychology. My personal view is that the more we move away from religion, the closer we get to a more utopian style society built on the foundation of human reason and a capacity for critical thinking.

 

Niall Rowe (A.K.A. Irish)

Social Secretary

Course: Bsc (Hons) Policing and criminal investigation

Hey there guys! For those who don’t know me my name is Niall but over here I go by Irish and I have a particular interest in secular politics that’s been fuelled by my born and bred in Northern Ireland. I believe very strongly that in the separation of religion and politics especially after seeing the open discrimination coming from the leaders of the Northern Irish state against other communities especially LGBTQ members in society seen in their hateful public rhetoric as well as discrimination in the areas of blood donation and marriage. Too many people have died in the past for religion instead of being able to see our human commonality with each other and one of my goals in life is to do whatever I can to make some sort of a change to that. I am currently studying Policing and Criminal investigation and hope to be involved in the investigation of serious crimes in the USA after I complete the course.

If anybody has any event ideas please feel free to approach me and we can toss around some ideas!

Honorary Members

 

Chris Malburn

Liverpool Humanists, Atheist, Humanist, and Secularist Student Societies 

Course: Bsc (Hons) Architecture

I’m a student at the University of Liverpool, and have studied Engineering Foundation and part of an Architecture degree. I was one of the founding members of the University of Liverpool Humanists, and spent two largely successful years (I like to think!) as President following its reboot in 2012. I also joined the AHS’s volunteer team in 2012 as the Regional Development Officer for the North West region, with the job of giving a helping hand and advice to up-and-coming atheist, humanist and secular student societies and I’m now part of the team organising the AHS AGM, which will be held in Liverpool in July 2014. It shouldn’t be any surprise to find out that, while I don’t have a science background, I recognise the importance of the Humanist and Skeptic movements in spreading a message of rationalism, fairness and critical thinking, and I’m willing to my own little bit to help out!

 

 Jack Marcham

President of Lancaster University Atheists, Non-believers and Agnostics Society

Course: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

I am a 2nd year student at Lancaster University and one of the founders of the society. I am a huge fan of the scientific method and became primarily interested in biology after reading ‘The Selfish Gene’ by Richard Dawkins. This led me to his other great work ‘The God Delusion’. I also enjoy debating philosophy in the pub or discussing physics with my flatmate. Looking forward to seeing you all there.