Dr Debbie Clayton

Programme Director

• Programme Director Psychology - BSc (Hons)

Module Leader

• UG: Social Psychology
• UG: Contemporary Issues in Psychology
• MSc: Research Skills

• BSc (Hons) Psychology: Environmental and Health Psychology

• MSc Health Psychology
• MRes: Outdoor activities and health
• MRes: Well-being in older adults
• MRes: Role of leisure for health ageing

• 2015 Amie-Louise Prior, Investigation of the Optimum Requirements and Practical Possibilities for a Telephone Helpline for Service Users with Anorexia Nervosa, PhD.
• 2012, Jemma Hawkins, Gardening Activity for Stress Reduction and Healthy Ageing in the Welsh Population, PhD

Published Articles

• Whiteman, J., Hawkins, J. & Clayton, D. (2016). The role of social capital and community belongingness for exercise adherence: An exploratory study of the CrossFit gym model. Journal of Health Psychology. (Online first, August 2016)
• Webb, R., Thompson, J.E.S., Ruffino, J-S., Davies, N.A., Watkeys L., Hooper, S., Jones, P.M., Walters, G., Clayton, D. Thomas A.W., Morris K., Llewellyn D.H, Ward M., Wyatt-Williams J. & McDonnell B.J. (2016) An Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk-Lowering Health Benefits Accruing from Laboratory-based, Community-based and Exercise-Referral Exercise Programmes. British Medical Journal Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 2, 1- 8.
• Hawkins, J.L., Smith, A., Backx, K. & Clayton, D.A. (2015) Exercise intensities of gardening tasks within older adult allotment gardeners in Wales. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 23, 161-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/japa.2013-0171
• Mercer, J. Gibson, K. & Clayton, D. (2015) The therapeutic potential of a prison–based animal programme in the UK. Journal of Forensic Practice, 17(1) pp.43-54.
• Hawkins, J.L., Mercer, J., Thirlaway, K.J. & Clayton, D.A. (2013) ‘Doing’ Gardening and ‘Being’ at the Allotment Site: Exploring the benefits of allotment gardening for stress reduction and healthy ageing. Ecopsychology, 5,110-125.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Backx, K. & Clayton, D. (2011) Allotment gardening and other leisure activities for stress reduction and healthy aging. HortTechnology, 21: 577-585
• Fielding, L., Ellis, L., Clayton, D., Peters, A. (2011) An Evaluation of Process Specific Information Resources, aimed at Hazard Analysis, in Small and Medium Enterprises in Food Manufacturing, Food Control, 22(8), pp.1171-1177, doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2011.01.011.
• Griffith C. J., Livesey, K.M. & Clayton, D.A. (2010) The assessment of food safety culture. British Food Journal, 112 (4) pp. 439-456. DOI 10.1108/00070701011034448
• Griffith C. J., Livesey, K.M. & Clayton, D.A. (2010) Food safety culture: the evolution of an emerging risk factor? British Food Journal, 112 (4) pp. 426-438. DOI 10.1108/00070701011034439
• Clayton, D.A. and Griffith C. J. (2008) Efficacy of an extended theory of planned behaviour model for predicting caterers’ hand hygiene practices. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 18(2) pp. 83-98. DOI:10.1080/09603120701358424
• Clayton, D.A. and Griffith C. J. (2004) Observation of food safety practices in catering using notational analysis. British Food Journal, Vol. 106, No.3, pp.211-227.
• Clayton, D.A. Griffith C. J. & Price, P. (2003) An investigation of the factors underlying consumers’ implementation of specific food safety practices. British Food Journal, Vol. 105, No. 7, pp.434-453.
• Clayton, D. A., Griffith, C. J., Price, P. E. & Peters, A. C. (2002) Food handlers' beliefs and self-reported practices. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp.25-39.

• Mercer, J. & Clayton, D. (2012) Social Psychology Revision Guide. British Psychological Society Series. London: Pearson Education. [Book]
• Griffith, C.J. & Clayton, D.A. (2005) Food safety, knowledge, attitudes and practices of caterers in the UK. In Maunsell, B. and Bolton, D. J. (Eds.) Restaurant and Catering Food Safety: Putting HACCP on the Menu. European Union Risk Analysis Information Network.

• Hawkins, J., Mercer, J. & Clayton, D. (2013) Growing a Healthy Older Population in Wales. Project Summary and Key Findings.
• Fielding, L., Peters, A., Clayton, D., Ellis, L. & Morris, K. (2005) Hazard Analysis for SMEs, Project No. H01007, A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London.
• Griffith, C. J., Hayburn, G. & Clayton, D. A. (2003), An Evaluation of the Butchers' Licensing Initiative in England, CSA Reference ZB00036, A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London.
• Clayton, D.A., Griffith, C.J., Peters A.C. & Price, P (2001) An Evaluation of Food Handlers’ Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes about Food Safety and its Interpretation using Social Cognition Models, CSA Report No. 4569. A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London.
• Clayton, D.A., Lewis, A. & Brown, R. (1998) An evaluation of the advantages and barriers to employing graduates in small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses in Wales. Report for the Welsh Development Agency.

• Clayton, D. (2015) Working in the field: The value of connections. Health Psychology Networking Meeting, Cardiff Metropolitan University, 22nd April 2015.
• Clayton D. (2015) Physical activity in green spaces. Translating Exercise-linked Health Benefits from the Laboratory into the Community. Improving health through Education and Research Seminar Series, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Llandaff Rotary Club, 25th March 2015.
• Clayton D. and Mercer, M. (2014) Growing a Healthy Older Population. National Parks and Wildlife Natural Health Service Providers. Maentrog, North Wales, 8th – 10th April 2014.
• Clayton, D. (2013) Health enhancing physical activity in later life: The case of allotment and community gardening. 9th Annual Meeting of HEPA (Health Enhancing Physical Activity) Europe Helsiniki, Finland October 2013.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P & Clayton, D.A. (2012) Evaluating the impact of allotment and community gardening for older people's health and well-being. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 20, S101.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P & Clayton, D.A. (2012) Gardening as a leisure activity for healthy ageing. 12th World Leisure Congress: 30, September 2012.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P & Clayton, D.A. (2012) Green exercise: Gardening and healthy ageing. Getting to the Grassroots, 8th Annual Symposium of HEPA Europe: 26, September 2012.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P & Clayton, D.A. (2012) The benefits of allotment and community gardening for healthy ageing. International People Plant Symposium: 6, September 2012.
• Clayton, D., Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P (2011) Growing a Healthy Older Population in Wales, 1st International Well-being Conference, Birmingham 18-19 July 2011.
• Hawkins, J.L., Thirlaway, K.J., Mercer, J., Backx, K., Milbourne, P & Clayton, D.A. (2011) Healthy ageing and outdoor lifestyle activities. OPENSpace Research Network Conference: Open Space, People Space: 3, June 2011.
• Clayton,D. & Mercer,J. (2011) Care Farms Work – but how do we know? The importance of evidence based research. 1st All Wales Care Farm Conference, Cardiff, 19th May, 2011
• Clayton, D. & Mercer, J. (2011) Collaborating with researchers and applying for funding. 1st All Wales Care Farm Conference, Cardiff, 19th May, 2011.
• Hawkins, J., Thirlaway, K., Backx, K. & Clayton, D. (2011) The benefits of outdoor activities for older people’s wellbeing. All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network Annual Conference: Maintaining Mental Health and Wellbeing in Adversity, February 2011.
• Prior, A-L., Limbert, C., Thirlaway, K., Clayton, D., Woodward, D., Hoefkens, T. (2011) An Investigation into Telephone Helplines for People with Anorexia Nervosa. 25th Annual Conference for the European Health Psychology Society, 2011.
• Hawkins, J., Thirlaway, K., Backx, K. & Clayton, D. (2010) Healthy Ageing: The benefits of outdoor activities for psychological and physical health. UKPHA 18th Annual Public Health Forum, Bournemouth, March 2010.
• Clayton, D.A., Sanders, L.S. & Powell, M. (2009) Relationship between readiness to change, health locus of control and perceived impact of health warning labels. ASH Wales Conference, Cardiff October 2009.
• Clayton, D.A., Sanders, L.S. & Powell, M. (2009) Relationship between readiness to change, health locus of control and perceived impact of health warning labels. ASH Wales Conference, Cardiff October 5-6th 2009.
• Clayton, D.A. Griffith C.J. & Price, P. (2003) Hand washing practices in catering establishments: Using the theory of planned behaviour in an organizational context. British Psychology Society: Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, Staffordshire, 3-5 September.
• Clayton, D.A., Griffith, C.J. & Price, P (2003) Consumers’ attitudes, knowledge, self-reported and actual hand washing behaviour: A challenge for designers of intervention materials. 1st Institute of Consumer Sciences incorporating Home Economics International Research Conference, Cardiff, 7-9 July.
• Clayton, D.A. (2002) Hand washing: What works and what doesn’t - A psychologist’s approach. International Association of Food Protection 89th Annual Meeting, San Diego, 30 June – 3 July. [Invited speaker]
• Clayton, D.A., Griffith, C.J., Peters A.C. & Price, P (2001) Food handlers' beliefs about food safety practices and risks in catering establishments. Third International Conference on Culinary Arts and Sciences: Global and National Perspectives, Cairo, Egypt, 18-20 April.
• Clayton, D.A., Griffith C.J., Peters, A.C. & Price, P. (2001) Hand washing in UK Nursing Homes. International Association of Food Protection 88th Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 5-8 August.

• 2015-2017 A qualitative study of public and clinicians’ views of, and participation in, Prudent Healthcare. Dr Fiona Wood (PI) (Cardiff University), Prof Adrian Edwards (Cardiff University), Prof Helen Snooks (Swansea Uni), Prof Richard Neal (Bangor Uni), Prof Joyce Kenkre (USW), Dr Debbie Clayton (Cardiff Met) & Prof Donna Mead (Cwm Taf Health Board). Health and Care Research Wales: Health Award (Prudent Healthcare Theme), £244,987.00.
• 2014- 2015: Evaluation of GreengAge Older Persons Befriending and Wellbeing Service. Big Lottery Fund £20, 174 Mercer, J. & Clayton, D .
• 2012-2013 The functions and benefits of volunteering in a care farm setting. The Waterloo Foundation £18,900. Co-investigators Dr. Jenny Mercer (UWIC).
• 2011-2013 Growing a Healthy Older Population in Wales. National Institute for Health and Social Care (Social Care Award), £150,424, Co-Investigators: Dr. Jenny Mercer, Dr Kathryn Thirlaway, Dr Karianne Backx, Jemma Hawkins (UWIC), Prof. Paul Milbourne (Cardiff University).

• 2012-2013 The functions and benefits of volunteering in a care farm setting. The Waterloo Foundation £18,900. Co-investigators Dr. Jenny Mercer (UWIC).
• 2011-2013 Growing a Healthy Older Population in Wales. National Institute for Health and Social Care (Social Care Award), £150,424, Co-Investigators: Dr. Jenny Mercer, Dr Kathryn Thirlaway, Dr Karianne Backx, Jemma Hawkins (UWIC), Prof. Paul Milbourne (Cardiff University).
• 2010-2012 Amelia Trust Farm: Young people’s place in the future. Beacon for Wales – Public Engagement Funding, £7000, Co-Investigators: Nicola Bowes & Dr J Mercer (UWIC).
• 2010-11 Ageing Well initiatives: Putting theory into practice: Strategic Insight Programme: Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, £3156.
• 2008-2011 Impact of lifestyle and nutrition on molecular and cellular markers of ageing: A mentoring approach to develop new researchers and foster an interdisciplinary approach, UWIC Academic Development Fund. £270,902, Co-Investigators Prof. J Erusalimsky, Prof A. Peters, Dr N Rushmere, Dr P. Hewlett (UWIC).
• Fielding, L., Peters, A., Clayton, D., Ellis, L. & Morris, K. (2005) Hazard Analysis for SMEs, Project No. H01007, A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London. The Food Standards Agency, UK £57286.
• Griffith, C. J., Hayburn, G. & Clayton, D. A. (2003), An Evaluation of the Butchers' Licensing Initiative in England, CSA Reference ZB00036, A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London.
• Clayton, D.A., Griffith, C.J., Peters A.C. & Price, P. (2001) An Evaluation of Food Handlers’ Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes about Food Safety and its Interpretation using Social Cognition Models, CSA Report No. 4569. A Report for the Food Standards Agency, London.
• Clayton, D.A., Lewis, A. & Brown, R. (1998) An evaluation of the advantages and barriers to employing graduates in small to medium-sized manufacturing businesses in Wales. Report for the Welsh Development Agency.

Dr Debbie Clayton is a Principal Lecturer within the Department of Applied Psychology and Programme Director for the BSc (Hons) Psychology Programme. At undergraduate level her main teaching responsibilities are in areas related to health, environmental and social psychology. At masters level she is the module leader for Research Skills, delivered to PhD and Masters students.

Debbie’s research interests lie in the areas of lifestyle psychology, healthy ageing and the role of socially engaging leisure activities. She is particularly interested in activities that are conducted outdoors or involve interaction with nature, such as walking, gardening or care farming. Evidence suggests that engaging in activities outdoors may offer positive benefits for our cognitive functioning, physical health and psychological well-being. The outdoor environment could be the key to explaining these observations, providing a sense of escape, space and relaxation. Or the explanation could lie elsewhere, for example, in the increased levels of social support, physical activity, creativity or self-esteem. Debbie led the NISCHR funded project “Growing a healthy older population in Wales”, investigating the benefits of community and allotment gardening for older people. Building on a public engagement project exploring care farming for excluded young people, Debbie is also working with Jenny Mercer to investigate the benefits of volunteering on Care Farms.

Debbie is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is both a teaching advisor and a staff representative on the PGC(HE) Programme. As such she is actively involved in supervising staff studying for a teaching qualification in Higher Education as well as contributing to course development and examining portfolios of evidence. Debbie is co-author of a revision textbook in Social Psychology, part of the BPS Psychology Express Series This text has been written to help students to revise effectively and to support students in developing evaluative skills.