I have a long-standing interest in human strengths and work as a Research Fellow at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham. I undertook my doctorate, a critical interdisciplinary evaluation of positive psychological approaches to strengths and virtues, at Queens’ College, Cambridge (2011). 

The current focus of my interest is the conceptual and empirical relationships between the virtues of gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, humility and compassion. For my empirical research, I designed two five-week interventions to promote compassion and gratitude in UK secondary schools. Since joining the Jubilee Centre in 2012, my conceptual and empirical work has been published in a range of journals across academic disciplines. 

I have given a number of invited presentations internationally to both academic and lay audiences. I am passionate about communicating research in an accessible and engaging way to a wide and popular audience. 

Caroline Murphy is Head of Strategic Direction and Development Education at the International Development Organisation, Children in Crossfire. Caroline completed her PhD research degree at the University of Ulster (2009), focusing on exploring pedagogy and drama-education methods for cultivating strength in students to take ‘authentic action’ for addressing sectarianism in Northern Ireland. With Children in Crossfire, Caroline is currently researching and developing an approach to Development Education which merges critical and emotional literacy through an ethics rooted in Compassion. Other researches have focused on; exploring the underpinning values and frames driving International Non- Government Organisation (NGO) communications with the public, and exploring an African perspective in Development Education practice across Ireland.