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Psychology of Education Section

The purpose of this section is to promote psychology in education and the interests of psychologists engaged in schools, further and higher education, child guidance and the wider community.

About

Our aims are:

  • To offer advice to the Society on matters related to psychological aspects of education and the training of teachers.
  • To promote the study and discussion of psychology in education. 
  • To provide a forum for the discussion and exchange of ideas among those interested in the psychological aspects of education. 
  • To stimulate research into matters related to the psychological aspects of education. 

We achieve these in three ways:

  • Communication of research findings.
  • Development of policy on key issues affecting psychology and psychologists in education.
  • Lively discussion of contemporary issues both scientific and professional. 

 

A representation of Psyche, taken from the BPS logo
Psychology of Education

The Psychology of Education Review

Psychology of Education Section

News

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Psychology of Education Section

Events

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Psychology of Education Section

Guidelines

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Publications

Psychology of Education Review

As well as publishing the work of established researchers and providing invited articles by experts in their field, Psychology of Education Review also aims to encourage the work of early researchers, providing a forum in which to publish first or early pieces of work.

Find out more about the Psychology of Education Review

Vernon Wall

This periodical comprises the papers accompanying talks given at the Vernon Wall event. From 2025, the Vernon Wall Lecture will be published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology, subject to peer review. For back copies before 2001, please contact [email protected]. BPS members are entitled to free online access to all BPS Journals as a member benefit.

Find out more about the Vernon Wall Lecture Series

Latest articles - Psychology of Education Review

  • Periodicals

Beyond awareness: Championing disability-related justice and inclusion in education and research – A response to Dr Jones - Psychology of Education Review

Volume: 48 Issue: 1

Author(s): Michelle Jayman, Maria Gudbrandsen

Psychology of Education Section
  • Periodicals

Queering the form: Exploring the use of zines to create LGBTQIA+ positive higher education experiences - Psychology of Education Review

Volume: 48 Issue: 2

Author(s): Claire L. Fox, Melanie Riley, Jayne Mugglestone, Georgia Williams, Lily Skourides, Quen Took, Hal Shoaib, Heather Knowles, Nina Dickinson, Kate Pahl

Psychology of Education Section
  • Periodicals

Some reflections prompted by Dr Jones’ paper - Psychology of Education Review

Volume: 48 Issue: 1

Author(s): John Raven

Psychology of Education Section
  • Periodicals

Examining the influence of motivation and engagement on psychological distress: A one-year follow-up study - Psychology of Education Review

Volume: 48 Issue: 1

Author(s): Xinrong Cheng, Andrew Holliman, Daniel Waldeck

Psychology of Education Section

Psychology of Education Section Research Grants 2023

The BPS Psychology of Education Section aims to provide an exceptional award to help academics and/or postgraduate research students who are finding it difficult to conduct school-based research since the event of Covid-19.

The maximum value of awards is £400 per applicant.

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2023. 

Purpose:

This grant is intended to help academics and/or postgraduate research students in Psychology and/or Education who wish to conduct school-based research but are finding access to research sites more difficult post-Covid.

We anticipate that each grant will cover the costs associated with conducting a particular aspect of a project. For example, providing vouchers as an incentive for allowing researchers into schools or encouraging participation.

It is expected that the grant will cover the full costs of the specific activity required. If the sum requested will not cover the full cost of the proposed activity, applicants will need to specify any other source of funding involved, or how the remaining costs of the activity will be covered.

Although the maximum award is £400, applicants should only apply for the amount needed. This will allow us to support as many projects as possible. Awardees will be required to submit expense claim forms (provided by the BPS) along with receipts in order to claim the award.

Eligibility:

This Grant is open to:

  • Members of permanent academic staff (on any contract type) employed at a UK institution; and,
  • Postgraduate students registered for research degrees at any UK institution.

Applicants must be members of the BPS Psychology of Education Section conducting research within a relevant area.

They must also provide a supporting letter from their Head of School.

Assessment Criteria:

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • contribution of the project to the field of psychology of education;
  • research design;
  • how the research has been impacted by Covid-19;
  • significance of this funding on the completion of the research;
  • plans for dissemination.

Priority will be given to applicants who do not have access to funding from their own department or external funding agency. This should be addressed in the application below when justifying costs. 

Please note a condition of the Grant is that all successful applicants will write a 3000-word report for the Psychology of Education Review. 

How to apply

Submit an application online here

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2023.

Committee

Chair: Andrew Holliman ([email protected])

Deputy Chair: Richard Remedios

Committee members:

  • Louise Taylor Bunce 
  • Hannah Wilkinson 
  • Claire Wilson 
  • Rachel Maunder 
  • Matthew Somerville 
  • Alison Kington 
  • Sian E. Jones 
  • Carol Brown 
  • Gayle Brewer 
  • Charlotte Bagnall 
  • Katy Smart 
  • Lucy James 
  • Donna Smith 

Editors of The Psychology of Education Review:

  • Sian E. Jones
  • Andrew Holliman
  • Alison Kington

Join

Membership of the Psychology of Education Section is only open to members of the British Psychological Society.

If you are not already a member, you can join the Section at the same time as applying for membership of the society.

Apply to join the society

Benefits of belonging

Benefits of Psychology of Education Section Membership

  • A copy of the Psychology Education Review, twice a year
  • A copy of the Vernon Wall
  • Books - 30% off books from BPS Blackwell and 20% off selected books from Oxford University Press. 
  • Continuing Professional Development - CPD opportunities via workshops, short courses and e-learning from our Professional Development Centre at preferential rates for members. 
  • Networking - Networking opportunities through Member Networks and over 100 events each year including the annual conference, plus access to international links with other psychological groups around the world.

Member Announcement Email List

The Psychology of Education Section uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues. 

By becoming a member of the Section you are automatically added to the announcement list.

To receive these emails you will need to:

  1. become a member of the Psychology of Education Section
  2. opt into receiving email communication and provide a working email address

These preferences can be updated by logging into your member portal.

If you have any queries, please contact Member Network Services.

To assist us in responding to your query please make sure to include your membership number and quote 'Psychology of Education Section announcement email' in the subject line.

Getting involved with the Psychology of Education Section Committee

The Psychology of Education Section relies on a wide range of people getting involved, and the work of the Section is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, or full members or students members, and together form an open and inclusive community.