Profile
Fiona Ling
My CV
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Education:
First part of my education I was in Hong Kong where I was born and raised, then I came to the UK to study A-levels and my undergraduate degree. Coming to the UK was an eye-opener to me, coz the education here encouraged students to think and so students here were good at solving problems. I then went on to do my Masters degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology in Australia – I had a great time studying this degree coz I could work with athletes, getting them to be more confident and succeed in their sports. Then I completed my PhD in Hong Kong, and since then, I have been doing research trying to understand why changing our habits is so challenging and to look at young people’s mental health.
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Qualifications:
I had gained GCSEs, A-levels, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master in Sport & Exercise in Psychology, and a PhD in Exercise Psychology.
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Work History:
After my Master degree, I worked as a teacher of English mostly to children in Hong Kong. I then moved on to be a programme manager at a national sport organization – I had a ball in this job as I got to meet many top athletes who I admired close-up! Then I took up the job as a research assistant at the University of Hong Kong where I also completed my PhD. Now the even more fun part…. After I left Hong Kong, I took up a job in Australia, Ireland and then the UK where I continue with my research.
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Current Job:
I’m now an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria University.
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Employer:
Northumbria University
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About Me:
I live and work in Newcastle, but originally I’m from Hong Kong. I’m a researcher interested in psychology, physical activity and mental health in youth. I love cooking (and eating!) and travelling, and I’ve travelled to 48 countries so far – lucky me!
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Read more
I have studied and worked in Hong Kong, Australia, Ireland and the UK. I find different cultures and their people absolutely fascinating. Also, every person has a story to tell – that’s one of the reasons why I try to travel to different countries as much as I can, and why I get into Psychology! You might be interested to know – the first time I visited Egypt, I fell absolutely in love with the country, so when I returned home, I decided to learn belly dancing which had led me to become a professional belly dancer- I still miss dancing and performing coz I find dancing liberating! Other than my job, I also volunteer to be a waitress at a charity that aims to fight food waste – I really enjoy this volunteering experience too as I can meet many people who I wouldn’t have otherwise met. I love to be active, and so I try to do some exercise every day. Because of this, I sometimes think of myself as bouncy Tigger (I’m a tiger in the Chinese star signs)!
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I teach Sport and Exercise Psychology at my university. As part of my job, I also do research, and my interests are in young people’s mental health and what makes them physically active. At the moment, I am planning on a project that teaches teenagers life skills in PE lessons. My work also tries to understand why we can’t change our bad habits easily.
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Read more
Why is it so difficult to change our bad habits? Well, think about if you are on a diet, having to stop yourself from having a piece of chocolate could be stressful. Or, if you love to sit and play computer games, making you leave the computer and go for a run could be stressful too! In other words, changing our bad habits is likely to get you stressed. If that’s the case, in order to change our bad habits, we should first help you manage the stress from stopping you do the things that you enjoy.
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My Typical Day:
On weekdays, I get up at 8am. If I can work from home, I’ll start working while having a cup of tea. I usually have brunch at about 10-11am. Now don’t be shocked, I like to have noodles in soup as it warms me up – this is very typical breakfast for Chinese people! After work, I usually do some exercise, like jogging, spin class, lifting weights in the gym, before I go home. At weekends, if I don’t have work catch up on, I might go to the movies, do some shopping or eat out.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’ll use the prize money to organise family fun days in schools that encourage parents and children to move more and eat healthy. The money will be spent on PE equipment, a nutritionist to give a talk and transportation to schools.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Bouncy Tigger Psychologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
Psychologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Oh yes coz I talked too much in class!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Interior designer or journalist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Ed Sheeran
What's your favourite food?
It's a long long list!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To travel everyday; To be with my dad again; To repair my relationship with my brother
Tell us a joke.
(This actually happened) In one of my driving lessons during my undergraduate years as a Psychology student, my driving instructor said to me, "Fiona, mind the cycle path in front". I put my foot on the brake immediately and asked anxiously, "Where's the psycho-path?" My instructor said, "There, just right in front of you." I didn't see anyone in front of me, then I got it - it's the 'cycle path', not 'psychopath'!!!
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