Dr Kaili Rimfeld joined the department as a lecturer a few months ago. We finally had a chance to catch up with her to find out about her research on behavioural genetics and what she gets up to in her free time.
What made you choose Psychology at Royal Holloway? Royal Holloway, University of London, Department of Psychology is one of the leading research institutions in the UK, so I am very excited to join the department. I believe that Royal Holloway presents an excellent opportunity for me to develop my academic career, combining teaching and cutting-edge research. The campus is lively and absolutely stunning, and my new colleagues are very friendly and have been so welcoming. I really look forward to getting to know the students here.
Can you tell us a little about the research you will carry out at RHUL? I study the causes and correlates of individual differences in academic achievement, well-being and mental health by combining genetic methods with psychometrics and innovative assessment methods. I use genetic methodologies, including the twin design and DNA-based methods, to increase the understanding of individual differences in educational achievement at the end of compulsory education and beyond.
My current work aims to get to the heart of the association between early educational experiences and adverse life outcomes using advanced statistical genetic methods that aid in the identification of specific risk factors (school environment, school type) that predict outcomes during childhood and later in life. I aim to clarify the developmental trajectories of wellbeing and mental health, as well as the aetiology of their associations with school-related stress and anxiety. These analyses will greatly increase understanding of the development of mental health problems in the context of academic achievement.
What do you think is the best part about teaching? I enjoy teaching and mentoring and am committed to supporting students and junior team members of all abilities and backgrounds. I see learning as a dialogue between a student and a teacher and strongly believe that it is a learning process for both the teacher and a student. I strive for research-led teaching by bringing in the most recent research evidence to my lectures and combining this with small group exercises to stimulate critical thinking. I also really enjoy informal chats with students and love seeing how students develop their own interests and passions.
What do you do outside of work? I love travelling and discovering new places. I also love hiking and reading. I like to stay active by doing yoga and cycling. My favourite time is the time spent with family and friends.
