Professor of Environmental Psychology

Kayleigh is a world-leading environmental psychologist. Her research focuses on how people engage with the natural world (in particular the aquatic world) and the impacts these have on both the individual (e.g impacting human health and wellbeing, and their connection to nature) and on the environment (e.g. through individual behaviour). 

IAPS (International Association People Environment Studies)
IAAP (International Association of Applied Psychology)
HEA (Higher Education Academy) - Level: Fellow

Invited roles on external bodies

• Natural England Science Advisory Committee (2024-)
• Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (2023-)
• Science Advice for Policy by European Academics (SAPEA; 2018–2019)
• GESAMP (United Nations advisory body), Working Group 40 microplastics (2013–2015)

Reviewer of research grants 

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK
• Economic and Social Research Council, UK
• Natural Environment Research Council, UK 
• Horizon 2020, EU

Reviewer of research publications for 

• Environment & Behavior
• Environmental Communication
• Frontiers in Marine Science
• Health & Place
• International J of Environmental Research & Public Health
• Journal of Environmental Psychology
• Marine Policy
• Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Ocean & Coastal Management
• People & Nature
• PlosOne
• Sustainability

Completed

1. Mark Newman (P/T Psychology Dept. at the University of Surrey): The use of virtual reality in human-environment interaction research. Self-funded. Self-funded. October 2017-2025 (2nd Supervisor).
2. Christopher Wiles (P/T Psychology Dept. at the University of Surrey): Virtual reality nature for mental health: Acceptability, usability, efficacy, and development of a VR nature intervention. School-funded PhD Studentship, University of Surrey. 2017-2024 (DoS).
3. Sohvi Nuojua (P/T Marine Sciences): Does Connectivity with Nature Alter Consumer Behaviour? Linking Ocean Connectedness and Consumer Views on Single-Use Packaging. Private sponsor. 2017-2023 (2nd supervisor as of Jan 2021).
4. Christy E. Hehir (P/T Tourism Dept.): Beyond Good Intentions: Wildlife Tourism as a Driver of Emotion and Philanthropic Behaviour Change. ESRC PhD Studentship. 2016-2021 (3rd Supervisor).
5. Pablo Pereira-Doel (F/T Tourism Dept.): Persuasive communication: an experiment on hotel guests’ values, inconvenience and smart water-saving technology. 2017-2021 (2nd Supervisor). 
6. Emma White (P/T Psychology Dept): Perceptions of Naturalness. 2012-2019 (2nd Supervisor as of Nov 2018).

In progress

1. Alex Smith (F/T School of Psychology): Virtually painless: An investigation into the therapeutic potential of virtual natural environments for chronic low back pain [working title]. Faculty of Health PhD studentship. Jan 2023- (DoS).
2. Carya Maharja (F/T School of Psychology): I do like to be beside the seaside: Understanding how environmental assets influence who and how people engage with the coast and its wellbeing benefits. NERC funded PhD studentship through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources. October 2024- (1st supervisor)
3. Natalie Smith (F/T Plymouth Marine Laboratory): Butt Out: A transdisciplinary approach in understanding and addressing the risks of littered cigarette butts [working title]. NERC funded PhD studentship through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources. October 2022- (2nd supervisor).
4. Lorna Smith (F/T Peninsula Medical School) "Nature is not a place to visit, it is home": The value of nature on the quality of life of people with dementia. Faculty of Health PhD studentship. Oct 2024- (3rd supervisor)
5. Becky Thomas (F/T School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey): Introduction and evaluation of a workplace simulator (‘AMRSim’) to improve the understanding and implementation of infection control by staff working in small animal veterinary practices [working title]. Zoetis funded PhD studentship. April 2022- (3rd supervisor).
6. Tim Sykes (P/T Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton): Investigating the cultural contributions from chalk streams and their winterbournes and aquifers [working title]. Environment Agency & Wildlife Trust funded PhD Studentship. October 2019- (3rd external supervisor).

• World events - The role of psychology in environmental issues (PSYC002) 
• Environmental Psychology - the impact the physical world has on us (PSYC423)
• Psychology and the Natural World (PSYC604 / 609 / 706)
• Dissertation supervision (PSYC605 / 707 / 781 / 783)

• Kotze, S. & Wyles, K.J, et al. (2025-26). Spores and Chores: Consumer perceptions of biotic textiles. NERC NetworkPlus: Flexi-fund, £30,000. Post doc: Shelley Kotze
• Kelly, M et al., (2024-2025). Increasing textile circularity: understanding barriers to recycled fibre quality and perception.  NERC NetworkPlus: Future Fibres Network Plus Flexible Fund, £88,842. Post-doc: Shelley Kotze; Placement student: E. Oakden
• Major-Smith, K. & Wyles, K.J, et al., (2024-2025). Enhancing circularity in the surfing and diving industry: Examining the scope for neoprene recycling in the UK. NERC NetworkPlus: Future Fibres Network Plus Flexible Fund, £45,757 Post-doc: Katie Major-Smith / Shelley Kotze; Research Assistant: Greg Gorman; Placement student: E. Oakden
• Gallaway, T., et al (2023-26). Future Fibres Network+. UKRI Circular fashion and textiles network plus, ≈ £2m (Co-PI). Post doc: Katie Major-Smith.
• Jobling, S., et al., (2021-25 42 months). A Systems Analysis Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste in Indonesian Societies (PISCES). UKRI-GCRF: Plastics, £4,041,006.52 (WP4 co-lead). Post doc: Anastasia Voronkova.
• Iwan, J., et al., (2019-2023). Preventing Plastic Pollution. EU's Interreg, £14m (WP lead for UoP since 2021). Post docs: Klara Lucznik; Deborah Cracknell
• Hepper, E., et al., (2020-2022). Don’t Judge Me, Greta: Narcissism and Environmental Defensiveness. British Academy / Leverhulme Small Research Grant, £9,978.20 (Co-PI)
• Wyles, K.J. & Gatersleben, B. (2020). Marine Litter Citizen Science Research Agenda - An Expert Perspective on Advancing the Citizen and the Science in Citizen Science. BBSRC Citizen Sci Exp Grant, £19,805 (PI). Post-doc: Matthew Peacock
• Wyles, K.J. et al., (2019-20). Ocean LitterAcy (OLA) - Empowering society to combat marine litter through citizen science. Global Challenges Research Fund, £138,998 (PI). RAs: Larissa Kawabe, Thais Rech
• Macdonald, A., et a., (2017-2019) AMRSim: A Microbial Reality Simulator. AHRC/AMR Indoor and Built Environment Pump Priming, £200,804 (Co-PI). Post-doc: Tom Kupfer; RA: Naomi Klepacz.
• Beaumont, N. et al., (2016-2019). MARine Plastic Pollution in the Arctic: origin, status, costs and incentives for Prevention. Forskerprosjekt –POLARPROG (Norwegian Fund), £89k (Co-PI)
• Wyles, K. (2019). Blue Charter Fellowships - Specialist Mentor. The Association of Commonwealth Universities, £3,927.
• Wyles, K. (2018). Travel Grant. Galapagos Conservation Trust, £800
• Austen, M. et al., (2016-2017). New Plastics Economy. People’s Postcode Lottery Dreamfund, £100k (Co-PI).
• Wyles, K. (2017). Examining the Psychological Benefits of Computer-Based and Coastal-Based Citizen Science Schemes. Faculty Research Support Fund, University of Surrey, £5.5k (PI)
• Anderson, A. et al., (2015). Beating the micro-bead: Engaging people about microplastics in the marine environment. Institute for Sustainability Solutions Research Small Collaborative Awards, Plymouth University, £2.5k. (Co-PI)

• Gatersleben et al., (2020-2022). Counting birds and bees: promoting wellbeing of older people through engagement with nature-based conservation activities. Dunhill Medical Trust, £127,819.08 (Co-PI).
• Gatersleben, B. et al., (2020-2021). Nature Engagement and Wellbeing Pre-, During and Post Covid-19: Supporting the UK (Green) Recovery. UKRI (ESRC) COVID-19, £201,482 (Co-PI). Post-doc: Emma White, Sarah Golding
• Beaumont, N. et al., (2016-2019). CoastWEB: Valuing the contribution which coastal habitats make to human health and well-being, with a focus on the alleviation of coastal natural hazards and extreme events. NERC-ESRC-AHRC Valuing Nature Programme, £252k (Co-PI).
• Wyles, K.J. (2017-18). The Value of Bathing Waters and the Influence of Bathing Water Quality. Scottish Government Tender via Collingwood Environmental Planning Limited, £1,675.56 (consultancy).
• Attrill, M. et al., (2013). The benefits of engaging with the Marine Centre at Wembury Beach. University of Plymouth Community Research Award, £9k. (Co-PI)