I completed my PhD in Psychology in 2011 at the University of Central Lancashire on the topic of “Motivations, experiences and outcomes of playing videogames”.  I have worked at Edge Hill University since October 2011 with my most recent promotion to Associate Head of the Department of Psychology (Knowledge Exchange and Marketing) in August 2022. 

My expertise is in the exciting area of cyberpsychology which largely refers to the psychology of online behaviour. I have an extensive publication record and engage in a range of external engagement activities to promote the field of cyberpsychology to the general public, the media and businesses.

My research interests broadly explore how online worlds affect our everyday experiences and behaviour, and the extent to which we can understand human psychology from studying people’s online behaviour.

A cross-cutting theme of all my research is to explore how online settings might promote social inclusion and well-being. Some general questions which motivate me are:

• What are the factors which influence the effectiveness of online messages when communicated to specific audiences?
• What is the nature of online interactions (what does "social" look like online)?
• How are emoji processed socially and/or emotionally?
• How can social or collective identity be fostered through online connection/connectivity?

I really enjoy supporting the learning of others, and I am nominated for awards for teaching, student support and/or supervision, largely on an annual basis. Most recently, I was shortlisted in the national Find A Masters Supervisor of the Year Award out of more than 200 nominations. 

These are modules I currently work on:

PSY3131: Psychology in the Virtual World

EDP2004: The Psychology of Teaching, Learning and Instruction

PSY3135: Psychology Dissertation

THE7001: Exploring Practice in Teaching and Learning

THE7002: Curriculum Design for Learning

THE7003: Developing Practice through Pedagogic Research

Supervision: MRes Psychology

Supervision: PhD Psychology

I engage in university and private consultancy. I own a business called “The CyberDoctor”. This is a research consultancy business which uses cyberpsychology to help businesses understand their online customers and behaviour: https://lindakkaye.wixsite.com/dr-linda-kaye/consultancy

Here, I can support businesses through CPD and training as well as contract research services. Areas of training include: "individual differences in online behaviour", "online persuasive communication" and "online identities and communities" all of which draw in my expertise from (cyber)psychology to help businesses understand how to better understand their online consumers, and optimise their online communications and marketing. 

I am regularly invited by media and major broadcasting companies to provide expert comment and psychological insights on issues relating to technology and internet use. I have also worked with national broadcasters (e.g., BBC, Sky News) and communicational agencies to help inform media campaigns and educational provision for the general public.  

I also enjoy taking part in public engagement activities such as doing science talks for the general public. I have regularly been invited to schemes such as the British Psychological Society's "Psychology in the Pub" series and other schemes such as "SciBar". Here I share my insights about issues such as "the science of social media" and "the science of emoji" to outline the scientific evidence base of societally-concerning issues.