Mona (Zahra) Jamshidi Nasab

Biography

I am a PhD student in Psychoanalytic Studies within the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at Essex University. I embarked on my full-time PhD journey in October 2023. My fascination with psychoanalysis dates back to my junior years in clinical psychology. Over the past decade, I have been actively engaged as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. The intersection of my clinical experiences and the evolving social landscape in my homeland, Iran, has kindled a profound curiosity about immigration, emerging as a pivotal and urgent concern within Iranian society. Consequently, I am driven to explore the role of tangible and intangible cultural elements in the integration process of Iranian immigrants into new cultural contexts. In my research, I employ a relational theoretical framework, drawing inspiration from the works of Klein and Winnicott. This approach enables a nuanced examination of the psychoanalytic dimensions inherent in the immigrant integration process, shedding light on the intricate interplay between individuals and their cultural surroundings. My scholarly pursuits aim to contribute valuable insights to the discourse on immigration, cultural adaptation, and psychoanalytic theory. Following my interests, I work voluntarily with the Iranian Association in London and run workshops related to cultural identity. Also, I'm honoured that I've become a Rep for PhD students in the PPS department. During the first year of my study, I presented my work at the PPS Student Conference at Essex University and a joint conference of APS and APCS in London. I was lucky also to facilitate a group discussion about "home and cultural objects" at the Refugee Care Conference. As a part of being a researcher, I have expanded my knowledge of qualitative interviewing methods by attending Essex Summer School in my first year in 2024, and it provides me with more confidence to hold a workshop for Iranian students about qualitative methodology and psychoanalytic paradigm in research. Regarding interviewing for my project and gaining experiences as a researcher, I also present my reflection on using innovative methods in the WOW (workshop on Wednesday) 2025, a collaboration of Tavistock and Portman Trust and the University of Essex's Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies. It is a fortune that I have been awarded the APA (Div39) International Relations Committee award and scholarship for 2025-2026. It will give me an excellent opportunity to expand my network and meet new scholars. I'm keen on collaborating with fellow researchers to exchange ideas and broaden our perspectives. If you have similar interests, let's connect for potential collaborations.

Qualifications

• BA in Clinical Psychology Shahid Beheshti University (Iran) (2010)

• MA in Clinical Psychology University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciencs (Iran) (2014)

Thesis