Dr Sandy Belle Rosales Cadena

Dr Sandy Belle Rosales Cadena is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with extensive experience teaching psychology and research methods. Before joining PACE, Dr Belle studied for her PhD in Psychology at the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on applied positive psychology and health psychology, particularly body image, self-compassion, resilience, and women’s wellbeing among cancer survivors. Her doctoral work examined the protective role of self-compassion and gratitude in women’s body dissatisfaction, and she remains actively engaged in research dissemination and public engagement through talks, workshops, and interdisciplinary projects that bridge psychology, health, and creative practice.

Alongside her work with PACE, Dr Rosales Cadena holds several external academic appointments. She teaches with the University of Sheffield International College, where she delivers the in-person module in Social Science. In this role, she is responsible for module coordination, curriculum design, and the development of inclusive, high-quality learning experiences that support international and widening-participation students in their transition to postgraduate study.

She is also an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Liverpool and the University of Essex, teaching online across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules including data analysis for psychologists, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapeutic interventions, and evidence based coaching . She has also held associate lecturing roles at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sussex, and has previously taught social and health psychology at the University of Sheffield. Across these roles, she has supervised Master’s dissertations, moderated modules, and supported students in developing quantitative research and data-analysis skills using software such as SPSS and R.

Her teaching style is highly interactive and student-centred. She makes purposeful use of mixed media, discussion-based seminars, and collaborative activities to encourage critical thinking and active engagement. Her teaching frequently integrates practical and experiential elements, including applied exercises, data-analysis workshops, and real-world case studies that connect theory to professional and everyday contexts. Dr Rosales Cadena particularly values teaching adult learners and international students, and she is committed to creating supportive learning environments that recognise students’ diverse experiences, promote confidence, and foster independent, reflective learning.