Department Harassment Advisors

Sarah Bauermeister

I am an Associate Professor specialising in cognitive neuropsychology. I co-lead The BrainWaves adolescent mental health and wellbeing cohort study and i am also senior scientist for Dementias Platform UK (DPUK). I am PI for the Blossom Early Adversity and Brain Health Programme and also the Life Course Cognitive Health Programme. I have an amazing team of researchers and DPhil students and I really enjoy supervision and having an excuse to keep ‘doing science’. 

I became a harassment advisor because I know firsthand what it is like not to have someone to go to when you have a challenging experience. I like to think I have an open door and understand the challenges that comes with an academic career but also with being a woman in science.

You can reach me on sarah.bauermeister@psych.ox.ac.uk and I am always happy to meet out of office for a tea or coffee.

Michael Colwell

I am a postdoctoral researcher interested in human behaviour, mental health, and computational modelling. During my DPhil, I served as the department’s student representative, advocating for student wellbeing and psychiatric research at the divisional level.

I became a harassment advisor because I recognise that it can be difficult for people to raise concerns in academic environments, particularly where there are differences in seniority. Having previously served as a student representative during my DPhil, I value the importance of having approachable and trusted points of contact. I hope to provide a supportive and confidential space for colleagues and students who may want to talk through concerns or explore their options.’

Feel free to find me in the Neurosciences Building (upper offices), or to contact me via email (michael.colwell@psych.ox.ac.uk) or teams for a meeting.

Louise Dalton

I am a clinical psychologist working across a number of different projects that aim to improve parent and child outcomes. I spent most of my career working in the NHS, trying to juggle research interests with a clinical role and being a parent. 

I became a Harassment Advisor because I believe that positive working relationships and feeling valued—both personally and professionally—are fundamental to wellbeing and professional fulfilment. When situations begin to feel conflictual, uncomfortable, or demoralising, they can also feel isolating and lonely. I want to offer a supportive space where colleagues can reflect on their current situation and think through  practical steps forward.

Contact me via email (louise.dalton@psych.ox.ac.uk) or Teams to arrange a time to meet.

Marieke Martens

Interested in: all welfare issues, specifically the welfare of students and early career researchers.

Rebecca Murphy

I am a Clinical Psychologist and Principal Investigator in the Department of Psychiatry. I have a broad interest in staff and student wellbeing. I am committed to fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive working environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

I became a Harassment Advisor because I care deeply about the wellbeing of our department community. Difficult experiences at work—whether related to bullying, harassment, or other welfare concerns—can feel overwhelming. I want to offer a confidential and supportive space where colleagues and students can reflect on what they are experiencing, explore their options, and feel empowered to take the next steps that are right for them.

Please reach me by email (rebecca.murphy@psych.ox.ac.uk) for a meeting.

Erdem Pulcu

I am a senior researcher and a computational neuroscientist. I have been in the Department for almost 10 years now. I completed my PhD at the University of Manchester and spent 2 years in Japan as a postdoctoral researcher. My primary research interest is understanding decision-making impairments in patients with depression.

I became a harassment advisor because I came to realise that the typical structure of an academic pathway can easily give way to power relationships which can be difficult for junior researchers to navigate without fearing to compromise their career progression. Sometimes, due to lack of experience, junior researchers may not necessarily be aware of what constitutes undesirable behaviours in academic work relationships. I became a harassment advisor thinking that I can help people who experience difficulties in their academic relationships.

The best way to contact me is via email (erdem.pulcu@psych.ox.ac.uk) or Teams message.

Andrea Reinecke

I am leading the Oxford Improving Treatments for Emotional Disorders group at the department. Our international team works towards the development of novel, more effective treatments for anxiety and depression, combining neuroscience, clinical psychology and pharmacology approaches. We are dedicated to a mutually supportive, collaborative research environment that is respectful of people having additional priorities outside of work (mine are my two young daughters and puppy Oppi).

I volunteered to become a harassment advisor having experienced first-hand that navigating an academic career in a culture different to your own can be challenging. I am hoping to improve the chances of everyone performing at their best (and happiest), by providing a mediating perspective that stimulates personal growth and confidence.’ 

You can reach out to me via email (andrea.reinecke@psych.ox.ac.uk) or Teams any time during office hours, or you can set up a time to meet in person.

Emma Soneson

I am a postdoc in the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry team and work across a broad range of projects related to child and adolescent mental health. At work, I am passionate about creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive research culture. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening and country walks with my dog, Maple

I became a harassment advisor because I have seen how the power imbalances in academia can make it difficult for people to seek support in challenging situations. In taking this role, I’m hoping to help facilitate reporting and response pathways that are accessible, transparent, and trustworthy so that people can feel more confident in reaching out for support.

Drop in any time (Wellcome Building, Office 8) or contact me via email (emma.soneson@psych.ox.ac.uk) or Teams to arrange a meeting.

Lalitha Iyadurai

I am a Senior Researcher and Clinical Psychologist working in the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society team. My work focuses on nature-based programmes for mental health and wellbeing. I value working in a fun, diverse and interdisciplinary environment. I also work part-time as a conservation volunteer in local woodlands, and try to get my children enthused about nature!

Experiencing difficult relationships at work can have a huge impact on your happiness and productivity. As a harassment advisor, I hope to provide a supportive and non-judgmental sounding board to help colleagues navigate these issues, and promote a work culture that values happiness and respect for others.

You can email me any time at lalitha.iyadurai@psych.ox.ac.uk, or knock on my door on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Wellcome Building, Office 53).

Paul Semple

I am an Information Governance and Systems Officer in the Department of Psychiatry. My work focuses on supporting complex research projects to handle sensitive data safely and responsibly, ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place while enabling important work to go ahead. I have a background in IT and systems administration, and I work closely with researchers to navigate data protection, governance, and technical challenges. I value a supportive and respectful working environment where people feel able to raise concerns and balance work with other priorities.

I volunteered to become a harassment advisor because I want to support colleagues, particularly those in professional services roles, in feeling heard and respected. I hope to offer a calm, impartial perspective that helps people move forward with confidence.

You can reach out to me via email or Teams during office hours, or arrange a time to meet in person.