Marie Johnston - Biography#

After PhD completion, I worked in correctional and clinical settings aiming to use best science for successful applications to improve socially valued outcomes, especially in health. My work uses best behavioural theory, develops and evaluates sound measurement of behaviour, develops interventions to enhance health outcomes and, more recently develops ontological tools for reporting and synthesising evidence of behaviour change interventions.

I developed the first clinical psychology practice in primary care in the UK, while conducting research in Oxford University before becoming a lecturer in a London University medical school, teaching behavioural science to medical students. I returned to Scotland to teach medical and psychology students (St Andrews University) before being appointed in the University of Aberdeen to conduct research.

I was the leader in the development, and first Chair, of the British Psychological Society’s Health Psychology section. At the same time, I co-developed the European Health Psychology Society and became its second President.

My early research focussed on surgical patients, understanding the sources of their anxiety, developing methods of tracking their recovery and developing interventions to reduce anxiety and promote recovery. My work on disability developed methods of measurement and theories combining medical and behavioural perspectives: I led the development and evaluation of an intervention to improve outcomes for stroke patients which was implemented in the Scottish Health Service by Scottish Government.

Since 2000, I have worked closely with Susan Michie, developing tools such as the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy and subsequent Ontology, to ensure that behaviour change interventions could be reported and understood reliably.

During COVID-19, I worked with Chantal de Daas applying psychological theory to understanding how people adhered to protective behaviours.

Throughout my career I have had wonderful collaborators and excellent PhD students. I was honoured to receive several awards, including the first mentoring award of the BPS Division of Health Psychology (2021) and the first ‘Distinguished Scientist Award’ of the UK Society of Behavioural Medicine (2024).