Iveta Tsenkova

Iveta is a ESRC LISS DTP funded PhD student at the Centre for Society and Mental Health. Her PhD project aims to address knowledge gaps in the theoretical models of youth homeless substance use, the mechanisms of work of psychosocial substance use interventions, and the theoretical underpinnings of substance use service development. It examines how, for whom, and in which circumstances psychosocial substance use interventions targeting young homeless people work. The project is grounded in a review of relevant social theory underpinning psychosocial interventions for substance use and will provide insights into theory, mechanisms and contexts influencing interventions.

Iveta began her journey in King’s College London in 2014 with a BA in Mathematics and Philosophy. She later went on to work in the not-for-profit sector. Iveta worked as an Early interventions worker at a youth homeless charity in London. She developed and delivered workshops and talks on Homelessness awareness and Conflict Resolution, Anger Management and Communication to young people aged 16 to 25 years. Since then, Iveta has completed an MSc in Psychology from UEL (2019) and an MSc in Mental Health Studies from KCL (2021). Iveta has an interest in social inequality, health services and service development. She is passionate about addressing stigma towards young homeless adults through public engagement in creative and joyful events.

 

Research Interests

 

• Youth homelessness
• Addiction
• Mental health inequalities
• Service development
• Social exclusion

 

Public Engagement 

 

• Co-organised the first Kindness in Research Conference in 2022. The student-led Conference aimed at discussing meaningful engagement in research and researchers’ well-being.
• Organised and hosted a creative art expression workshop for people with lived experience of homelessness and substance use. The event addressed stigma around the topic and experiences of the population. It also promoted creativity as a source of self- care, promotion of feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem.