University launches new research centre for children, schools and families
A new research centre that draws upon psychological research to help reduce social and educational exclusion, raise youth aspirations and enhance family, community and social well-being will be launched on Friday, June 18.
The University of Greenwich Research Centre for Children, Schools & Families is directed by Pam Maras, Professor of Social and Educational Psychology, and will provide research advice and consultancy in partnership with external organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The new centre reflects the university’s commitment to investing strategically in the application of areas of research excellence.
Professor Maras says: “The centre draws together well-established work at the university on adolescent anti-social behaviour, bullying and raising social and educational aspirations, along with other work on issues affecting individuals across the lifespan, families and communities.
“This is a very exciting development and reflects a commitment by the university to public engagement, linking basic research to social issues and working in partnership with external local and national partners, schools and the community.”
Current and planned work includes projects on learning and development; family and community links and relations; bullying and antisocial behaviour in schools; children as agents of environmental change; inter-agency working; social justice; raising aspirations; and reducing social and educational exclusion and disaffection.
The centre will be launched at the university’s Greenwich Campus at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9LS. A conference will showcase examples of the wide spectrum of research in the university’s Schools of Education and Health & Social Care. Professor Tom Barnes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research & Enterprise, will open the event.
A main focus of the centre is the inter-relationship between families, communities and schools. Professor Maras will present research on reducing adolescents’ disaffection and raising aspirations. Dr Claire Monks will describe her work on bullying and Carl Parsons will talk about his work on educational inclusion, interventions and social justice.
Professor Roslyn Corney will present research in the impact of breast cancer on the family while Dr Oliver Robinson will focus on the effect of retirement on family well-being.
Other university staff will address different topics at the launch. Jan Webb will talk about safeguarding children, Karen Cleave will speak about self-harm and Dr Jane Reeves will give her views on the importance of interventions with fragile families.
In keeping with the theme of engaging young people in schools, Christopher Philpott, Head of the School of Education & Training will be discussing his work on the use of pupil observation and feedback to teachers to improve learning in the classroom and Anna Kilderry and Jill Harrison will discuss the children’s workforce reform and the new role of the Early Years Professional.
Dr Jane Evans from Barnardo’s will talk about research by Barnardo’s on preventing school exclusions while another external speaker, Dorothy Coomb, will provide examples of how teaching psychology to school students can equip them with skills for later life.
The conference will run from 10am to 4.30pm, followed by the launch of the new centre and a reception in the university’s Queen Anne Court from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. This will include a musical performance by students from the John Roan Secondary School in Maze Hill, Greenwich, London.
The new centre which is located in the Department of Psychology & Counselling in the University of Greenwich’s School of Health & Social Care will briefly describe some of the work linked to the centre.
For further information, contact Professor Pam Maras on 020 8331 9627 or e-mail:
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Lee Armitt
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
020 8331 9420
Notes to editors
Picture: Professor Pam Maras, Professor of Social and Educational Psychology.