Profile
Keri Wong
My CV
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Education:
Hong Kong – Primary and seconday school
USA, Philadelphia – University of Pennsylvania
UK, Cambridgeshire – University of Cambridge
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Qualifications:
GCSEs
A-Levels
Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons.)
Masters of Arts (MA)
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Work History:
UK, London – University College London (current job)
UK, Cambridgeshire – University of Cambridge – Research Fellow
Hong Kong, DDB Advertising Company, Intern
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Summer Intern
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Summer Intern
Hong Kong, Barrister Chambers, Summer Intern
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Summer Research Assistant
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About Me:
I’m a child psychologist and criminologist born in New Zealand and grew up in Hong Kong. I currently live in London but have worked in the US and the UK. If I did not become a psychologist, I would’ve opted to become an artist! I host two UCL podcasts (Research for the Real World & Academia et al.) and am arty and sporty – I love pottery and oil painting and a side of tennis and netball in between. My favourite go-to comfort food is sushi! I love my job.
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Read more
As a teenager growing up in Hong Kong, I knew I wanted to pursue a career either in Fine Arts or Psychology because those were the GCSE/A-Level subjects I loved. I applied to major in psychology at university and on the side, also minored in fine arts (US university). I cycled through various occupations – including, consultant, clinical psychologist, architect, marketing specialist – but it wasn’t until I took several classes in the criminology and psychology that I realised my passion was in the intersection of psychology and criminology.
I was, and have ever since been, interested in the following questions:
- What causes crime and mental ill-health?
- Why are psychopaths so successful?
- What can we do to prevent crime and severe mental health disorders like schizophrenia?
These have become running themes throughout all of my work. This is what I’m excited about when I wake up each morning – so work doesn’t even feel like work!
To sum up, I am a research psychologist, lecturer, and podcast host at UCL. I look forward to meeting and learning from you!
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My Typical Day:
I wake up, put the kettle on for my strong coffee/tea at around 8am. I usually have a quick small breakfast before I set off for work or sit down at my desk to go through emails (when working from home). Most days I will have meetings with small groups of students – sometimes brainstorming new research ideas or following-up on their progress – or with colleagues – about teaching, research, how things are running. Other days I would get to campus and perhaps go directly to the classroom to set up my lecture with students. I tend to arrive at least 10-15minutes before class so that I can set up my slides for the lecture. I go home around 6pm.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d create a short animation video summarising my journey as an academic, my research interests and why it is important, and perhaps some infographics to go along with sharing my journey as a researcher, woman of colour, who is living abroad yet conducting research that brings all cultures together. I may even be tempted into creating a TikTok account to share my day-to-day as a researcher.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Smiley, American-sounding, psychologist/criminologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
Clinical psychologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not really
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Spice Girls
What's your favourite food?
Sushi
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish I can: 1) teach someone one thing they didn't know, 2) remind someone that they matter, 3) heal someone of their worries/anxieties through my smile!
Tell us a joke.
A match stick is walking along the road and his head gets itchy so he scratches it. What happens next? Answer: He ends up in hospital and comes out as a cu-tip!
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