Understanding why we connect, how we belong and what makes us transform.
I’m Dr Martha Newson, a psychologist and cognitive anthropologist studying loyalty, social dynamics, transformation and wellbeing. My research has taken me from football crowds and prisons to festivals, saunas and communities around the world, exploring how powerful social bonds shape our identities, behaviour and health. I’m an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich and a Research Affiliate at the University of Oxford. Alongside my academic work, I bring behavioural science into practice through research and consultancy, keynote talks and executive coaching.
Join readers of The Belonging to read free articles on the science behind loyalty, connection, and transformation.
ACADEMIA
Research on super loyalty, social dynamics, transformation, wellbeing and WILD science
MARTHA NEWSON STUDIO
Research design, interpretation, expert insight, qual and quant, talks, and workshops
COACHING
One-to-one coaching around identity, transition, leadership, belonging, and change
Featured In
Recent News
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Selected for BBC Radio 4's PM Highlights
PM Highlight - World Cup: Is your office sweepstake legal?
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BBC2 Titanic series
Contributions to 4 episodes on the psychology of disaster.
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Interview for BBC News
Feeling gutted? Five ways to cope with England's World Cup defeat
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New academic article
Sports‐Based Interventions Fostering Positive Identity Formation in Prison
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Interview for BBC Future
‘Finland's obsession with saunas is going global, but are they any good for you?’
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Interview for The Times
‘Is Maximising Your Life Making You Miserable’ published by the Times.
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BBC Radio 4 interview
PM Programme: is there such a thing as a perfect day.
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New academic article
A soccer-based intervention improves incarcerated individuals’ behaviour & public acceptance through group bonding
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S2E2: Why Do I Get Upset When My Team Loses?
Martha recently featured on the BBC R4’s hit podcast ‘Why Do We Do That?’
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New academic article
Social identity processes for therapeutic success in psychedelic treatment
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New academic article
Sauna culture improves physical and mental wellbeing in the UK through social connection and ritual
“We love putting Martha on the PM programme - not only is she always informative, but she makes great radio as well, as she is invariably clear and engaging. She has the unusual knack of demonstrating intellectual dexterity with the ability to entertain.”
— EVAN DAVIS, BBC RADIO 4 AND DRAGON’S DEN PRESENTER
“Martha is a fantastic addition to any panel discussion. She explains complex ideas clearly and concisely and adds a fresh take to a well-debated topic.”
— ALYS BOWEN, SKY NEWS
“I was delighted when Dr Martha Newson approached the Twinning Project regarding the potential to undertake an academic evaluation of our work. The evaluation is fundamental to measuring the impact of our foundations work and crucially demonstrates to partners and potential partners the value of football’s role in contributing to the reduction of reoffending. Martha is professional, experienced and adds significant value to our initiative.”
— HILTON FREUND, THE TWINNING PROJECT
