Dr Vaithehy Shanmuganathan-Felton (Shanmugam) completed her PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University in 2011. Her doctorial thesis was entitled "The Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Eating Psychopathology in British Athletes". Since graduating, she worked as a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at University of Central Lancashire, convening the BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology programme (2011-2016) and as Deputy Head of Academics at UCFB -Wembley (2016-2017).  Vaithehy joined University of Roehampton in 2017 as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and the Programme Convenor for MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise. In 2021, Vaithehy joined the School of Psychology as the Head of Education and Student Engagement and is now the Deputy Dean. 

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 

Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society 

BPS Chartered Psychologist 

PhD Sport and Exercise Psychology, Loughborough University 

MSc Sport and Exercise Science (Sport Psychology pathway), Brunel University

BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of Portsmouth 

Vaithehy has two main research streams – examining the multi-faceted risk factors, underpinning mechanisms,outcomes and treatment of mental health in athletes and using physical activity programmes to improve mental health in the general population.  She has published 10+ peer reviewed papers and presented at over 20 national and international conferences - several as invited speaker. She has generated +£28,000 in research and consultancy funding.

Her current research involves an interdisciplinary approach to examine the impact of physical activity on the physical health, mental health and immunology in young people and adults.  

Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

BPS chartered Psychologist 

Full Divisional Memmber of BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology