Dr Vanessa Fortune BA Hons, MA, PhD

Lecturer in Psychology

Vanessa Fortune joined the School of Human Sciences as a lecturer in August 2024. She received her PhD in Psychology from the University of Greenwich in 2021. After which she was a research fellow with the Institute of Lifcourse Development. She has a background in Sociology and Social Psychology. Her PhD research was preceded by an MA in Post-war Recovery Studies, from the University of York in 2012. Between her master's and PhD research Vanessa worked in the third sector for 10 years with various national and local charities as well as grassroots non-governmental organisations. Her roles included monitoring and evaluation, programme development, and grant writing, all contributing broadly to issues of equality and inclusion.

Vanessa’s research interests remain deeply rooted in applied issues of equality and inclusion often related to aspects of identity, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.

She has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with her current teaching portfolio including, career development, health psychology, and applied psychology. Vanessa also supervises undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

Posts held previously

  • 2021 - 2023 Research Fellow at the University of Greenwich
  • 2021 Equality Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
  • 2021 Research Assistant at the University of Greenwich
  • 2021 Module Leader and Lecturer at the University of Greenwich
  • 2019 - 2021 Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Greenwich
  • 2017 - 2020 Quality Assurance and Impact Analysis Officer at Charlton Athletic Community Trust
  • 2016 - 2017 Trust and Statutory Fundraising Officer at Charlton Athletic Community Trust
  • 2015 - 2016 Research and Development Officer at Charlton Athletic Community Trust
  • 2014 - 2015 Programme and Development Officer at Charlton Athletic Community Trust
  • 2013 - 2014 Support Worker at Look Ahead.

Psychology Sociology

Responsibilities within the university
  • Module leader for Future Paths
  • Module leader for Psychology and Graduate Career Development.

Research / Scholarly interests

Vanessa’s research interests focus on applied issues of equality and inclusion. Where possible her research studies are based in a community setting drawing from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Her work often explores issues related to gender, sexuality, and youth inclusion frequently as it relates to sport through qualitative and mixed method approaches.

Key funded projects

  • 2022 - 2028 Doctoral Scholarship Funding, the University of Greenwich and Russell Martin Foundation: ‘An investigation into the effectiveness of new models of alternative provision in the English education system’
  • 2022 Institute for Lifecourse Development: ‘Attitudes towards sexual diversity amongst football fans’, £2,000
  • 2017 - 2020 Doctoral Scholarship, University of Greenwich, Premier League Community Foundation & Charlton Athletic Community Trust: ‘Young Women and Charities associated with English professional football: An Inter-Disciplianary Analysis'.

Recent publications

Presentations
  • Stathi, S., & Fortune, V. (2023, June 30 - July 04) Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter? The role of intergroup contact and threat in support of collective action. European Association of Social Psychology, Krakow, Poland
  • Fortune, V. (2023, May 24) Young Women and Community Engagement: Opportunities and Benefits for Football in the Community. English League and Charlton Athletic Football Club EDI Seminar Series
  • Fortune, V., Essex, R., Rossato, C., & Miller, D. (2022, December) Pilot: Alternative Engagement Strategies to Reduce School Exclusions. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Research Conference, University of Greenwich, UK
  • Stathi, S. & Fortune, V. (2022, September) Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter? The tole of positive and negative intergroup contact, and intergroup threat in supporting the two movements. British Psychological Society Psychological Society Social Psychology Section Annual Conference 2022, University of Greenwich, UK
  • Fortune, V. (2022, July 07) Symposium: EDI from theory to practice and back again – Young Women’s Experience of Football in the Community, Psychology of Women and Equalities Conference, British Psychology Society, Cumberland Lodge, UK
  • Fortune, V. (2019, November 12) How charities affiliated with professional football clubs impact young women, Equality and Diversity Conference, University of Greenwich, UK
  • Fortune, V. (2019, June 17) Exploring the impact of charities affiliated with professional football clubs on young women, Postgraduate Conference, University of East Anglia, UK.