Alex Wilson, PhD, is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of West London with a dedicated interest in the exploration of consciousness, transpersonal psychology, psychoactive substances, psychedelics, human optimisation and neuroscience. With a PhD in Psychology from The University of Northampton, his research focused on the transformative nature of altered states of consciousness, laying the foundation for his diverse research interests.
Alex’s expertise extends to the realm of psychoactive substances, transpersonal psychology, investigating spiritual experiences and altered states of consciousness, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and techniques for cognitive and physical optimisation. Through a mixed methods approach of quantitative and clinical trial neuropsychological methodologies and qualitative idiographic study, he endeavours to bridge the gap between psychological theory, neural mechanisms and our subjective experience of the world.
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Qualifications
BSc Psychology (University of Northampton)
MSc Transpersonal Psychology and Consciousness Studies (University of Northampton)
PhD Psychology (University of Northampton)
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Awards
Richard Broughton Award (2017) -
Memberships
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Teaching
Alex’s teaching introduces students to topics such as Transpersonal Psychology and Altered States of Consciousness, Neurobiology of Psychedelics, Optimising Human Performance, Why We Sleep, Why We’re Hangry: Food and Mood and Wellbeing, while fostering critical thinking, qualitative and quantitative methods and practical applications.
Research
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Conferences
‘Pay as You Go Enlightenment’: Exploring Psychoactive Substance Induced Transformative Experiences as Self-Medication and Self Exploration'. Transpersonal Psychology Section Annual Conference, 2023
‘The Transformative Nature of Altered States of Consciousness: Exploring ASC’s in Urban British Subculture’. Transpersonal Section Annual Conference, 2019
‘Waking up Woke: The Transformative Nature of Altered States of Consciousness’. Transpersonal Section Annual Conference, 2017
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Research degree supervision
- Psychedelics
- Psychoactive substance use
- Altered states of consciousness
- Time perception
- Transpersonal and positive psychology
