Professor Oliver Robinson

Prior to joining Regent's University, Professor Oliver Robinson led the Psychology and Counselling portfolio at the University of Greenwich for six years. During this time, he oversaw a period of sustained growth and internationalisation. He was also President of the European Society for Research in Adult Development from 2017 to 2025, and in this role also led on sustained strategic growth and diversification.

Professor Robinson is an expert in the psychology of adult development and qualitative methods. He also researches the extended developmental effects of psychedelic use in adults. He has authored over 60 journal articles, and written the textbook Development through Adulthood, published by Bloomsbury, which is used by students around the world. 

• PhD Psychology
• PGCert Higher Education
• Senior Fellow of Advance HE
• MSc Organisational Psychology
• MA Psychology

• University of Greenwich - 2007 to 2025

Selected publications from 60+ journal articles:

Robinson, O.C. et al. (2025). Quarter-life crisis episodes in emerging adulthood: A mixed-methods
analysis of data from eight countries. Emerging Adulthood, 13(6), 1491-1506. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968251380890

Payne, J., Robinson, O., Arnaud, K. S., Aday, J. S., Warner, M., Ludlow, C., & Murray, G. (2025). The
relationship between psychedelic use and positive adult development in emerging adulthood: An integrative review. Brain and Behavior, 15(11), e71043. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.71043

Argyri, E. K., Evans, J., Luke, D., Michael, P., Michelle, K., Rohani-Shukla, C., Suseelan, S., Prideaux,
E., McAlpine, R., Murphy-Beiner, A., & Robinson, O.C. (2025). Navigating Groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences. PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322501

Evans, J., Aixalà, M., Anderson, B. T., Brennan, W., Bremler, R., Breeksema, J. J., Burback, L.,
Calder, A. E., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Cheung, K., Devenot, N., Gorman, I., Greń, J., Hendricks, P. S., Holoyda, B., Jacobs, E., Krecké, J., Kruger, D. J., Luke, D., Robinson, O.C.... Yaden, D. B. (2025). On minimizing risk and harm in the use of psychedelics. Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice, 7(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.prcp.20240128

Robinson, O.C. (2023). Probing in qualitative research interviews: Theory and practice. Qualitative
Research in Psychology, 20, 382-397. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2023.2238625

Robinson, O.C. & Fisher, A. (2023). Transitional experiences of moving an older parent into a care
home or nursing home in the UK: A qualitative study. Current Psychology, 24, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04538-9

Robinson, O.C. & Vasile, M-C. (2023). The perceived link between dreams and the spiritual life: An
exploratory qualitative survey investigation. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 13, 63-73.
https://doi.org/10.1080/20440243.2023.2189213

Petrov, N., Robinson, O.C. & Arnett, J. (2022). The Developmental Crisis Questionnaire (DCQ-12):
Psychometric Development and Validation. Journal of Adult Development, 29, 265–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-022-09403-w

Robinson, O.C. (2022). Thematic analysis for brief texts: The structured tabular approach.
Qualitative Psychology, 9, 2, 194–208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/qup0000189

Arnett, J. J., Robinson, O.C., & Lachman, M. E. (2020). Rethinking adult development:
Introduction to the special issue. American Psychologist, 75(4), 425-430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000633

Chandler, R. & Robinson, O.C. (2014). Wellbeing in retirement villages: Eudaimonic challenges and opportunities. Journal of Aging Studies, 31, 10-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2014.08.001

Robinson, O.C. (2014). Sampling in interview-based qualitative research: A theoretical and
practical guide. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 11, 25-41. DOI 10.1080/14780887.2013.801543

Robinson, O.C., Lopez, F.G. & Ramos, K. (2014). Parental antipathy and neglect:
Relations with Big Five personality traits, cross-context trait variability and authenticity. Personality and Individual Differences, 56, 180-185. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.09.004

Robinson, O.C. & Wright, G.R.T. (2013). The prevalence, types and perceived outcomes of
crisis episodes in early adulthood and midlife: A structured retrospective-autobiographical study. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 37, 407-416. DOI: 10.1177/0165025413492464

Prof. Robinson conducts research on how major life transitions and crises affect emotional and identity development, and also on how adult development is catalysed or disrupted by altered states of consciousness, including those initiated by psychedelics. He has also developed various widely used qualitative methodological techniques for sampling, interviews and analysis.

Dr Robinson has supervised six PhD students to completion and is currently external supervisor for three PhD students.

• Honorary President of the European Society for Research in Adult Development
• Senior Fellow of Advance HE
• Member of the British Psychological Society
• Member of the Scientific and Medical Network

Prof. Robinson has led on the development of new courses at BSc and MSc level.