Dr Lilli Hvingtoft-Foster: (President)

Dr Richard Stevens: (Vice President)

Prof. Frederick Toates: (Vice President)

Professor of Biological Psychology at the Open University. An OUPS tutor of long experience in teaching introductory psychology and biological psychology, he has also taught undergraduate classes in Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, USA, Moldova and Romania. His research interests include the study of motivation, emotion and the control of behaviour. His most recent books are Biological Psychology (2^nd Edition), Pearson Education, 2007 and Burrhus F. Skinner: the shaping of behaviour, Palgrave Macmillan, 2009 (part of the Mind Shapers series).

Dr Alan Pechey: (Chair)

I studied psychology with the OU many years ago before going on to Cambridge to do my PhD, looking at modality effects in memory.  I have been an OUPS committee member since September 1995 and since 1999 I have served as either Chair or Vice-Chair.  A key task of mine has been finding speakers for our conferences. I have also been very involved at local level (for instance pub meets!).

I work as an independent consultant in the field of occupational psychology. My work covers a wide range of activities including change management in organisations, effective working of dispersed teams, and the identification of the (technological and human) support required in organisations to improve performance.  A particular focus of my consultancy work has been on how one can introduce new technology or new working practices into organisations.  My clients tend to be large organisations such as Scotland Yard, Barclaycard International and local government.

However, I try and limit my consultancy work to no more than half-time to allow time with my family and to pursue other interests.  I have been an associate lecturer with the Open University for more than 15 years, and I currently tutor on ED209 and DD303.  I also enjoy lecturing at OUPS weekends and regional Overview Days. I am currently taking a year off my consultancy; and trying to write a novel whilst enjoying the French lifestyle in our house in La Rochelle.

Vanessa Jones: (Treasurer)

Having initially taken a degree in Mathematics, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked in various Finance Directors roles in industry. My first connection with the Open University was in 1999 when she was undertaking post-graduate study in Technology Management as part of an MBA. A few years later and one very big career change I graduated with a degree in psychology (2005) and was working in various roles NOT including finance!

My freelance work within the NHS has included involvement in the commissioning of pilot projects for Personality Disorder Services in England, research and training with the ‘Thames Valley Initiative’ (Personality Services in the Thames Valley), research in the Berkshire Trauma service and ad-hoc training for mental health professionals, including the Berkshire Therapeutic Skills Courses at Foundation and Basic level. Last year I sat on a committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists involved in re-drafting their Ethical Guidelines and I am also a member of the Association of Therapeutic Communities research steering group. I recently published two articles on aspects of personality disorder research.

Continuing my involvement with the OU, I tutor E-Prime at OU Summer Schools on the cognitive course (it being the only way I could enjoy the life at Summer School once I was no longer a student!) and last year completed the  course in Biological Psychology (SD226).

I have also tutored E-Prime at Masters level at the University of Reading.

I completed my Masters degree in Psychological Research Methods at the University of Reading in 2007, and started my doctorate (now full time) in Ocotober 2008. I have also been involved in SOUPS for several years and this year became Treasurer of OUPS. I has no free time….

Denise Ward: (Secretary/ Summer Weekend Officer)

I have been on the OUPS Executive Committee for ten years, primarily in the role of Summer Weekend/Conference Officer, but also taking on the additional role of Secretary for a couple of years. I joined the committee soon after graduating as I felt OUPS events had been a great help to me and I wanted to stay involved with the Society. Following my OU degree I completed an MSc in Occupational Psychology and have also trained in psychometrics. Outside of OUPS I am working as a career counsellor, so I am putting my psychology to work!! In this role I have been particularly involved recently in helping women get back to work after taking a break, many of whom are considering making a career change. Alongside this, I am also an OU tutor in the London Region on DSE212. This year I have recently taken on the role of Chair of London OUPS (LOUPS), following the resignation of the previous committee. We have been delighted by the response of students to all our events in London and look forward to another active year! In my previous life, before psychology and the OU, I was a consultant in Marketing and Market Research.

Evelyn Slavid: (Revision weekend officer)

David Clarke – [May Weekend Officer]

Dave Clarke achieved his degree in psychology with the Open University in 2005. During his studies he was a frequent attendee at OUPS events finding the revision weekends a valuable experience and assisted in completing his degree. He joined OUPS Committee in 2009 and commenced in the role of May Weekend Officer for DSE212 Revision.

David has also studied with the University of Leicester in Archaeology and Ancient History, and the University of St. Andrews in Terrorism Studies. He has worked as a civil servant for the past twenty-eight years and presently carries out a number of roles the most recent being engaged on a Diversity and Equality Committee within his department for the North-East area.

Shani McCoy: (News letter editor)

Janet Simpson: (Special needs)

Peter Weeks: (Assistant Publication Officer)

Jane Barker: (Publications officer)

Pam Murhpy: (Social secretary)

Angie Johnson: (Publicity officer)

Well I’m still not one of the more ‘established’ members of the committee. I graduated from the OU in 2003 and then floundered. I was meant to go into education (with the idea of being an educational psychologist) but this idea just lost its appeal somehow.  Having just completed my MSc in 2005 I’m presently working as a researcher looking at the development of appropriate pedagogy for bridging the gaps  between industry and Higher Education and I also teach foundation course Psychology at a local HE College and DD303 for Region 9. So, I’ve ended up in education, just a discrete approach.

In addition to this I have been involved in research looking at the cognitive skills in driving and I also conduct independent research into Prospective Memory and Dyslexia (fame and fortune awaits me or maybe this is just wishful thinking!). 

I’ve now had three full years on the role as Publicity Officer so, hopefully, I’m settled into the routine of what needs to go where and when.  My resolution for 2008 (now I have my feet under the table) is to try and get electronic mailshots to OU students (in addition to the course flyers) as I missed out on the opportunities made available by OUPS as I was always so keen to read the text books that I used to bin everything else. If anyone has any other ideas then just email me personally & I’ll consider them.

Karen Foley (OUSA Rep)

Alan Schreiber (Website officer)

Irene Baumgartl: (Business Administrator)

I took up my position as Business Administrator in July 2001. My main responsibilities are to keep the Membership database up to date and to process all bookings for our National Events. I deal with all general enquiries, act as a point of contact and do general administrative duties. My previous career was in the Hotel Industry where I rose to General Manager.

In the early nineties I saw an advertisement from the Open University: since I worked shifts/weekends and long hours attending a conventional university was not an option and studying from home in my own time as and when I could fit it in seemed ideal. I had wanted to do a degree for some time, so I filled in the form and started with my studies. I joined OUPS and still remember going to my first Revision Weekend. These Weekends inspired me and helped me immensely in my exams. I finished with an Honours Degree in 1998 and went on to do a Masters in Legal and Forensic Psychology at Leicester University (Distance Learning). By now I had a family with 2 young children and working full time was not what I wanted to do. I had remained a member of OUPS and when I saw the advertisement for a Business Administrator I applied. I was thrilled to be appointed and have since worked part-time from home. The long-term plan is to eventually do a PhD, but I’ll leave that until the children are a bit older and I’ll have more time on my hands – hopefully!