Delia Ciobotaru

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in Flourishing Nature Connections, where my work focuses on understanding and enhancing the ways nature-based interventions can support both human and non-human flourishing. My research examines how emotion and cognition interact to shape wellbeing in personal and professional contexts, with particular focus on depressive rumination and work-related rumination. Through this lens, I aim to uncover mechanisms that can optimise wellbeing interventions and promote sustainable, flourishing relationships between people and the natural world.

My previous research spans cognitive, affective, and educational neuroscience approaches to improving wellbeing. This has included evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive training for reducing emotional vulnerability in high worriers, and developing personalised neurostimulation interventions to improve sustained attention. I have also designed and tested personalised neurostimulation protocols to reduce work-related rumination and enhance sleep quality among school teachers.

In addition, I contributed to the development and impact evaluation of the digital Whole School and College Approach (WSCA) Measurement Toolkit using mixed‑methods approaches, supporting evidence‑based evaluation of wellbeing initiatives in schools and colleges across England.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from UCL and an MSc in Educational Neuroscience from UCL & Birkbeck. At the University of Surrey, I completed a PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, leading to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and earned my PhD in Psychology. Since completing my doctorate, I have held postdoctoral research positions at both the University of Surrey and the University of Sussex.