Dr Mark Hoelterhoff (PhD)
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Address
- Street
-
School of Health in Social Science
Medical School, Doorway 6
Teviot Place - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH8 9AG
Availability
Please contact via email
Background
My clinical, teaching and research focus is on positive psychology and transformative learning in higher education. I have been promoting wellbeing for more than 26 years. As a counselling psychologist, I have delivered psychoeducation and positive psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families in private practice and with third-sector organisations in the USA, UK, Netherlands and Lithuania. In addition to healthcare settings, I have worked at several higher education institutions before joining the University of Edinburgh.
Qualifications
PhD Psychology at University of Plymouth
MA Psychology at Alliant University
MA Counselling Psychology at Trinity International University
BA Psychology at University of Dayton
Responsibilities & affiliations
British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist
Health and Care Professioal Council Registered Practitioner Psychologist (Counselling Psychology)
Higher Education Academy Senior Fellow
Undergraduate teaching
- Board of Examiners, Edinburgh Futures Institute
Postgraduate teaching
- Course Organiser for Learning and Resilience, Edinburgh Futures Institute
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Course Organiser for Research 1, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
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Academic Cohort Lead Year 1, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Areas of interest for supervision
I can accept new PhD students. There is information and application guidance here https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=397
Research summary
My research focuses on positive psychology, resilience, and transformative learning in higher education. I lead the Pioneering Analytics for Transformative Higher Education (PATH) research cluster at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. My work fosters transdisciplinary collaboration to develop data-informed, asset-based strategies that strengthen wellbeing in the curriculum, support student resilience, and contribute to positive institutional and societal change.
Current research interests
I am interested in how higher education can integrate intrapersonal strengths with real-world challenges to create transformative learning experiences. This includes developing and evaluating challenge-based and resilience-focused curricula, and exploring the role of sociomaterial pedagogy, hybrid teaching, and adaptive learning design. Through PATH, I collaborate with the Wellbeing in Higher Education Network (WHEN) and other partners to identify, evaluate, and share best practice. My methodological interests include creative, post-qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, with a focus on generating actionable insights that inform policy and practice.Knowledge exchange
I work with academic and professional staff, students, and sector partners to share evidence-based strategies for embedding wellbeing in higher education. This includes hosting workshops, contributing to the Wellbeing in Higher Education Network (WHEN), and developing practical resources to support curriculum transformation.
Affiliated research centres
Project activity
I lead The Edinburgh Lead Well Project, which began in 2021 and was funded through a secondment by the University’s Curriculum Transformation Project to integrate wellbeing into teaching and learning across the University of Edinburgh. It aims to empower students and staff to lead societal transformation from a foundation of positive wellbeing. The project established the Lead Well Pathway, a whole-person and whole-university approach linking embedded curricular elements with optional credit-bearing and co-curricular opportunities, and the Pathway Innovators community of practice, which continues under the PATH research cluster. Its legacy includes a wellbeing best-practice database, international collaborations through the Wellbeing in Higher Education Network (WHEN), and continuing research and practice in curriculum innovation.
Current project grants
2025–2026 – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Challenge Investment Fund (£4,883.02) – Co-Investigator
Scottish Student Physical Activity and Student Wellbeing
Past project grants
2020–2021 – Principal’s Teaching Award Scheme (£14,931) – Regular Grant Award (Principal Investigator)
Personal Values in Postgraduate University Student Engagement: a Creative Participatory Action Research Project
2020 – Cara Syria Programme Larger Grant (£15,000) – Principal Investigator
The effect of electricity shortage on social wellbeing in people living in northern Syria
2018–2020 – Erasmus+ KA2 – Strategic Partnership for Innovation in the Adult Field (Consultant)
Support wellbeing among potential entrepreneurs with a migrant/refugee background to start and develop business initiatives in the Blue Growth economy – on behalf of the Scottish Islands Federation
2019 – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences SFC Official Development Assistance Global Challenges Internal Fund (£80,500) – Co-Investigator
Leadership in Ethics, Integrity and Research Conduct in Complex LMIC–UK partnership projects
2019 – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences SFC Official Development Assistance Global Challenges Internal Fund (£50,000) – Co-Investigator
Strong minds, strong lives: Building enduring partnerships through co-design of a rural mental health service and research strategy in Malawi
2018 – The Global Academies and Edinburgh Global Research and Partnership Fund (LMIC) (£14,981) – Co-Investigator
Growing strong kids in Malawi: A collaborative needs analysis between a Scottish research team and MamaLita School in Namwera, Malawi
2018 – The College of Radiographers (£9,123) – Co-Investigator
Studying resilience among newly qualified radiographers
2016 – University of Cumbria Research and Development Funding (£5,000) – Co-Investigator
Exploring the role of social capital in the Storm Desmond flood
2012 – University of Cumbria Research and Development Funding (£1,200) – Principal Investigator
The impact of sustainable development activities on health and wellbeing in a Senegalese population
2005–2010 – University of Plymouth PhD Scholarship (£21,075)
2006 – Lions Club International Start-Up Grant ($25,000) – Co-Investigator
Lions Quest wellbeing pilot programme for Lithuanian primary school children
Invited speaker
I work with colleagues to support the evaluation and development of activities that promote staff wellbeing across the University, including scoping good practice and informing the Committee’s ongoing improvement agenda. https://www.committees.ed.ac.uk/health-wellbeing-committee