How are BPS Journals influencing global policy?

Roles of socioeconomic status, ethnicity and teacher beliefs in academic grading, Lewis Doyle, Matthew J. Easterbrook, Peter R. Harris  

Open Access 

Research findings from this 2023 BPS article found that unconscious teacher biases and beliefs may be contributing to the relative underperformance of students from poorer backgrounds.  

It was cited by The Publications Office of the European Union in 'The Pandemic, Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Learning Outcomes. Cross-National Impact Analyses of Education Policy Reform', which outlined policy implications for future preparedness of national education systems.

Demographic and attitudinal determinants of protective behaviours during a pandemic: A review, Alison Bish, Susan Michie

The authors of this 2010 article explored health behaviour in a pandemic; published a year after H1N1 influenza (swine flu) hit over 100 countries in 2009, its findings remain relevant today.

Findings were cited by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in a report examining the health impact of the Covid pandemic on people living in disadvantaged areas in Ireland: COVID-19 infection rates and social disadvantage in Ireland: An area-level analysis. Several key policy recommendations were made for future pandemic planning.

COVID-19 in context: Why do people die in emergencies? It's probably not because of collective psychology, John Drury, Stephen Reicher, Clifford Stott

The authors argue that far from being the problem, collective behaviour in emergencies – including the solidarity and co-operation so commonly witnessed among survivors – is the solution and should be harnessed more effectively in policy and practice.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) cited this 2020 research in their report Trust: the foundation of health systems, recognising that as populations and their health needs evolve, so must the health care system that surrounds them. Measures were outlined to help improve trust in health policy-making and health system transformation, recognising that this is complex, and multifaceted.

Compliance without fear: Individual-level protective behaviour during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Frederik Jørgensen, Alexander Bor, Michael Bang Petersen

This 2021 journal article from British Journal of Health Psychology considered how health authorities could foster greater public compliance in future waves of the Covid pandemic.

WHO used the findings in their guidance on developing our policy proposals for incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness planning: A practical agenda for incorporating trust into pandemic preparedness and response.

A second independent audit of electroconvulsive therapy in England, 2019: Usage, demographics, consent, and adherence to guidelines and legislation, John Read, Christopher Harrop, Jim Geekie, Julia Renton, Sue Cunliffe 

Open Access 

This 2021 article sought to assess progress towards improving the administering of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in England. It found a failure in monitoring and accrediting of ECT clinics, recommending an urgent independent review.

WHO and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights referred to this research in their joint document, Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice. The guidance proposes new objectives for law, including setting a clear mandate for mental health systems to adopt a rights-based approach. It also highlights how laws can address stigma and discrimination, and provides key information on how to adopt a human rights-based approach when reviewing, adopting, implementing and evaluating mental health related laws. 

"My brain feels like a browser with 100 tabs open": A longitudinal study of teachers' mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa E. Kim, Laura Oxley, Kathryn Asbury

Open Access 

The authors of this 2021 article concluded that policymakers and practitioners could reinforce teachers' mental health and wellbeing, both during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, by engaging in more collaborative communication and ensuring greater accessibility to sources of social support, serving both teachers and the wider educational system.

The findings were picked up in a 2024 report commissioned by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Spain, entitled Artificial intelligence and education – a teacher-centred approach to safety and health. This called for a teacher-centred perspective to be added to the discussion around the use of digital technology use in education, with guidance and appropriate resources to support teachers' working conditions and increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession, ultimately improving the quality of education.

Content-dependent memory in two natural environments: on land and underwater, D.R Godden and A.D. Baddeley

This 1975 article studying how different environments might affect memory recall has stood the test of time. 

The CESifo International Research Network cited this article in their working paper, Interview Sequences and the Formation of Subjective Assessments, for Ludwigs-Maximilians University's Center for Economic Studies, which assesses potential changes in the design of interview processes to mitigate contrasting against the previous candidate.

Best friends and better coping: Facilitating psychological resilience through boys' and girls' closest friendships, Rebecca Graber, Rhiannon Turner, Anna Madill

This 2015 article considers whether, and how, a single close supportive friendship may facilitate psychological resilience in socio-economically vulnerable British adolescents, before discussing implications of the resulting Adolescent Friendship and Resilience Model for resilience theories and integration into practice.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AISF) used this research in their recent practice and policy paper on The influence of peer relationships in the middle years on mental health. AISF concluded with a number of suggestions for Australian service providers and child and family practitioners to help maintain positive peer relationships and promote positive mental health amongst young people.

Efficacy information influences intention to take COVID-19 vaccine, Colin J. Davis, Matt Golding, Ryan McKay

Open Access 

The authors look at means by which vaccination efficacy can be strengthened among populations. 

The research was cited by the World Bank in their policy research working paper, Behaviorally Informed Messages Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions, which highlights the importance of tailoring communication to address different drivers of vaccine hesitancy, and offers insights for handling future health crises with behavioural communication strategies.

Weight bias and grading among middle and high school teachers, Kristin E. Finn, Clancy M. Seymour, Anna E. Phillips

Published in 2023, this article investigates whether middle and high school teachers unfairly assess students who are overweight, perceiving them to be less competent. It provides new evidence of biased attitudes in school settings.

The findings were included in a study by The Publications Office of the European Union, Current challenges and opportunities for addressing obesity, which sought to identify effective policies to enhance obesity prevention and management efforts.