Psychology in the Classroom
by Lucinda Powell
Psychology in the Classroom: bridging the gap between educational science and daily teaching practice. Hosted by Lucinda Powell, the show provides expert insights in education by translating complex educational psychology into actionable, science for educators.Through high-level education expert interviews, listeners gain access to the latest findings in the science of learning, including evidence-based revision strategies and methods for creating an effective classroom environment. If you are looking for psychological education tools to improve student outcomes, this podcast delivers a mix of theory deep-dives and educational myth busting.Supported by the British Psychological Society's Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology as part of the BPS Teacher Toolkit.
Episodes
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Children aren't springs: what resilience really means
...with Dr Steph Cahill Resilience isn't a trait a child either has or lacks, and positive childhood experiences don't cancel out adversity. In this episode, Dr Steph Cahill explains why those distinctions matter, drawing on #BeeWell project research tracking nearly 19,000 pupils from ages 12 to…
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"You matter here": What helps teachers feel valued at work.
...with Dr Ben Looker Teachers can spend all day surrounded by people and still feel professionally isolated. In this episode Dr Ben Looker, from the University of Worcester, explains why informal peer relationships matter—and how his study of 334 teachers led to a new theory: the "Relational...
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Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Schools: Challenges, Solutions, and the Road Ahead
…With Amy Sayer Amy Sayer is a mental health and neurodiversity consultant and former secondary school senior leader. This episode discusses the growing mental health crisis among young people, highlighting challenges in accessing CAMHS support, with only 36% of referrals receiving help. Amy...
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Exploring the Complex Role of Emotions in Student Motivation, Performance, and Well-Being
…with Professor Reinhard Pekrun In this episode, Professor Reinhard Pekrun discusses the critical role emotions play in academic settings. Drawing on his Control-Value Theory, he explains how emotions influence students' learning, motivation, and well-being. Pekrun challenges the oversimplified...
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What Is Test Anxiety and How Can We Help Students Overcome It?
...with Professor David Putwain In this episode, Professor David Putwain, from Liverpool John Moores University, shares his expertise and insights into test anxiety. Drawing on over 23 years of research, David explains the distinction between stress and anxiety, debunks the myth that moderate...
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Why school exams don't prepare you for University (and that's Okay!)
...with Dr Jonathan Firth In this episode Jonathon Firth, a Principal Teaching Fellow at the University of Strathclyde and former secondary psychology teacher, discusses the major academic transition students face when moving from secondary school to higher education. Jonathon shares critical...
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The Power of Professional Dialogue: Turning Lesson Observations into Meaningful Conversations for Growth
...with Angela Myers In this episode, Angela, an educator with 60 years of experience spanning primary, secondary, further and community education shares her thoughts on classroom observations. Having held roles from classroom teacher through to Deputy Principal at Solihull College, Angela brings…
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Gender Identity Decoded: How Biology and Society Shape Who We Are
...with Dr Diana Sorrentino In this episode, Dr. D, an expert on gender diversity and transgender identities with over 40 years of experience, explores gender identity's neurobiological foundations, social influences, and evolving terminology. Dr. D shares her personal journey, explains foetal...
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Changing the Narrative Around Neurodivergence in Schools
With Prof Edmund Sonuga Barke and Dr. Susie Chandler. This episode marks the end of the series of podcasts on the RE-STAR project. In this final episode we discuss the four-and-a-half-year research initiative supporting neurodivergent adolescents with ADHD and autism. The discussion covers how…
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How Do Habits Shape Students' Use of Effective Learning Strategies?
...with Ann-Kathrin Krause In this episode, Ann-Katrin Krause, a PhD student in educational psychology at the Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education in Frankfurt, discusses her research on the role of habits in students' learning strategy use, exploring why students often...
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How Can Positive Psychology Transform Wellbeing in Secondary Schools?
...with Hannah Brownhill To kick off the summer term, Hannah Brownhill, a positive psychology practitioner and former secondary teacher shares her insights into embedding wellbeing in to schools through positive psychology. Following her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Hannah shares…
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Spring Takeover: Exploring the Multi-Store Model of Memory and the Rise of AI in Psychotherapy
Kicking off the summer term, this episode features two brilliant sixth-form students sharing their passion for psychology. Estelle, a year 13 student unpacks the multi-store model of memory, offering teachers genuinely practical strategies around attention, rehearsal, and retrieval practice to...
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Dilemmas in the Classroom: How to Balance Inclusion and Individual Needs
...with Dr Tracy Edwards In this episode, Tracy Edwards, senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and author of Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties in Schools, explores the ethical and practical dilemmas teachers face when supporting learners with complex needs. Drawing on…
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Mental Health Research: Practical Tips for Teachers and Practitioners to Navigate the Evidence
...with Andre Tomlin In this episode, Andre from The Mental Elf discusses how we can make mental health research accessible and useful for teachers and practitioners. The conversation tackles the challenges of jargon, paywalls, and misleading headlines, sharing practical tips for spotting…
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The Power of Voice in the Classroom
...With Professor Silke Paulmann In this episode I am joined by Professor Silke Paulmann to discuss why how we sound matters just as much as what we say - the irony, as you will hear, being that my voice this week is far from fine! We often focus on the words we use to support student...
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How Can We Combat Cyber Aggression in Schools Today
...With Protyasha Bhattacharyya Kicking off 2026 this episode dives into the latest research on cyber aggression and its effects on young people. We explore new findings about how different parenting styles can influence online behaviour, and why fostering psychological safety in schools is more...
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How Teacher Emotions and Motivation Shape Student Success
With Prof. Rebecca Lazarides In this motivational end-of-term episode, Professor Rebecca Lazarides (Professor for Empirical Research on Instruction and Schools at the University of Potsdam, Germany) discusses what keeps teachers motivated - even when energy is running low. Rebecca shares insights...
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Speaking Up: How to Cultivate Confident Communicators in the Classroom
...With Prof. Neil Mercer Neil Mercer is Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge and a psychologist and in this episode we discuss the pivotal role of spoken language and oracy in education. We explored how classroom dialogue, reasoned discussion, and public speaking can be...
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Listening to Learners: How Meaningful Talk Fuels Motivation and Achievement
…with Dr. Marc Skelton. In this episode we bridge the gap between classroom practice and psychological theory to share actionable strategies for fostering student success. Drawing on years of teaching experience to research at the University of Warwick, Marc breaks down what truly drives student...
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SLOP: The Power of Repeated and Varied Practice in Education
...with Dr Mike Hobbiss Mike is an experienced psychology teacher and co-author of "How to Teach Psychology: An Evidence-Informed Approach." In this episode Mike explains how learning and disciplinary fundamentals shape classroom practice, and introduces the SLOP (Shed Loads of Practice)…
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Zines and Emotional Literacy: A Fun and Engaging Path to Better Mental Health
…with Julie Kane In today's educational landscape, supporting young people's mental health and emotional literacy is more important than ever. We know that many young people are struggling with managing their emotions and this impacts their education in a range of ways. Julie is a third-year PhD...
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Creating Safer Spaces: How Schools Can Foster Mental Wellbeing for All Students
With Jade Davies, Dr Ola Demkowicz, Dr Khathustshelo Muluvhu-Malanga and Dr Laura Oxley In this final episode from the BPS Psychology of Education Setion's conference we hear from four experts on different elements of mental health in schools. We explore how social media impacts teenagers'...
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Why Students Want AI Feedback but Crave Human Connection in Learning
...with Professor Louise Taylor and Professor Silke Paulmann In this episode of Psychology in the Classroom, Professor Louise Taylor discusses students' perceptions of using generative AI for assessment feedback, highlighting its benefits and the continued need for human connection in the marking...
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Evaluating Mental Health in Schools: Tools, Challenges, and Collaborative Solutions for Success
…with Dr Charlotte Bagnall and Annie O'Brien In this episode, Charlotte and Annie discuss the complexities of mental health and wellbeing interventions in schools with me. We explored the challenges of evaluating these programs in real-world settings, the development of child-centered measurement...
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From words to action: how teacher language shapes student success
...with Prof David Putwain, Dr Laura Nicholson and Mahdi Moazzen This episode is a lively discussion with educational researchers Prof. David Putwain, Dr. Laura Nicholson, and Mahdi Moazzen. We explored how teachers' language and message framing influence student motivation, engagement, and...
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The Benefits of Reading for Pleasure: Unlocking a World of Opportunities
...with Prof. Teresa Cremin. In this episode, Professor Teresa Cremin from the Open University, an expert on reading for pleasure, talks about why encouraging children to read voluntarily is so important. We explored the academic, social, and emotional benefits of reading, discussed the…
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Unpacking the Complexities of Bullying: From Counter Connecting to Whole-School Solutions
...with Dr Julia Badger In this episode of #Psychologyintheclassroom bullying expert Dr Julia Badger, from Oxford University discusses her conference talk, "Peer Power: Understanding and Changing Bullying Dynamics in Mainstream and Specialist Special Schools." Bullying is a public health…
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Beyond Social Media and Smartphones: Factors Affecting Youth Mental Health
...with Prof. Neil Humphrey In this episode Professor Neil Humphrey from the University of Manchester, discusses trends in youth mental health, the rise in internalising issues like anxiety, and the impact of societal changes such as sleep hygiene and service cuts. He critiques current research...
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Navigating Friendships: The Hidden Struggles of School Transitions
In this episode Lucy Keller, a PhD researcher in psychology, discusses her work on improving friendship and social connectedness among young people during the critical transition from primary to secondary school. Lucy shares insights on the impact of social connectedness on mental health, In...
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Navigating Mental Health Issues in Schools: Strategies for Teachers and Students with Prof. Jess Deighton
In this episode, Professor Jess Deighton, a leading children's mental health expert, discusses the growing mental health challenges facing young people today and what this means for educators and schools. We dive into how student mental health impacts learning outcomes, the unique challenges...
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Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Education: Insights for Teachers
In this episode, Dr Andrew Holliman, Associate Professor at UCL's Institute of Education and chair of the BPS's Psychology of Education Section discusses the upcoming annual conference focused on psychological well-being in education, highlighting its inclusive, supportive atmosphere for…
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Emotionally Based School Avoidance: A Personal Story
In this deeply personal episode, I'm joined by Harriet Ennis, a psychology teacher from York and this year's winner of the British Psychological Society's Pre-Tertiary Education Psychology Teacher of the Year (PEPTOTY). Harriet reached out to share her personal experience of Emotionally Based...
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Learning from Failure: The Biological Case for Embracing Mistakes
In this episode of Psychology in the Classroom, Dr. Lauren Margulieux helps explore why failure isn't just a learning opportunity—but a biologically powerful one. Drawing on neuroscience, Lauren explains how our brains react to failure, the role of neurotransmitters like epinephrine and...
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The Perils of Perfectionism: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health in Education
In this episode we explores the impact of perfectionism on exam anxiety, particularly among neurodivergent individuals. Dr. Tracey Donachie, a lecturer in sports and exercise psychology, discusses the components and prevalence of perfectionism, highlighting its psychological and behavioral…
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First do no harm: Universal Mental Health Interventions in Schools
Summary In this episode Dr. Carolina Guzman Holst is a NIHR Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, discusses her recent paper titled Scoping review: potential harm from school-based group mental health interventions. Where the authors 'examine three areas: the types of potential harms and...
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The Process of Learning is Uncomfortable
This month Dr Katy Burgess, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Cardiff University, talks about her research into students' learning - what they do and how effective they think this is - this is useful for us, as teachers, to understand how, what we are teaching them in school about learning and...
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Peer Support for Neurodivergent pupils
The NEurodivergent peer Support Toolkit (NEST) is a set of free resources for staff in mainstream secondary schools who wish to facilitate peer support for neurodivergent young people. The toolkit was co-created by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, neurodivergent young people and a...
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RE-STAR - From Emotional Dysfunction to Emotional Burden
This is the 7th podcast from the RE-STAR team and Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke and Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou share the findings from work package one. This episode explores how the RE-STAR team has collected qualitative data through innovative methods that really allow the voices of young people…
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Improving Mental Fitness in Schools with Vi Gandhi
In this week's episode Purvi (Vi) Gandhi shares her knowledge about implementing effective and evidence based strategies to improve mental health or mental fitness in schools. Vi has recently published a book 'A little guide for teachers: Student Mental Health' with lots of ideas of how teachers...
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Reframing Mindfulness for Teachers
On World Mental Health day 2024 Psychology in the Classroom discusses Mindfulness. We eschew the 'Crystals and Muesli' version and reframe it to ask how to be more attentive, calmer, more grounded, more aware, more responsive, less anxious. Willem Kuyken and Maggie Farrar join me to discuss, how…
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What have we learned about failure?
In this final summary interview with Prof. Dr. Suzanne Narciss, we review all our learning about failure over the last few months. There is much we can do to encourage our students to learn from errors, including interactive formative assessment and feedback strategies, prompting reflection and...
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What do parents communicate about failure?
More than one in 10 children 'almost always' or 'often' fear failure. But where do they learn this from? This fear can often pass from parents to children. Parental communication about failures and setbacks plays a critical role in shaping a child's perception of mistakes. In her research Dr...
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The Impact of Teacher Failure Mindsets
Today's discussion focuses on our perceptions, as teachers, of failure. When as a teacher we watch our lessons back on film where do we see failure and how do we respond? Reflecting on our own relationship with failure could be important in informing our practice in the classroom. For example our...
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Teachers v Pupils: differing views of failure
How students and teachers navigate and prioritise different learning processes after encountering impasses during learning can be complex. Recognising that failure moments can be multifaceted, today's episode explores how classroom discourse reveals varied valued learning processes, such as...
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Errors and Alienation
How errors are handled in the classroom is an important aspect of teaching and has a variety of consequences for students' own dealing with errors, their learning and their performance. In classrooms with a negative error climate, students are more likely to experience fear of making mistakes and...
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Creating a Positive Error Learning Orientation
In order to learn from errors it is important that pupils regulate their emotions. The emotions that they feel when they make an error is underpinned by their Error Learning Orientation - whether they see errors as positive and an opportunity to learn or as a negative thing that brings shame. In...
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Motivating Students to Learn from Errors
This week find out how you can encourage students to persist with learning and engage with metacognitive strategies when they make mistakes. Dr Maria Tulis talks about her experiments that aimed to find a causal link between beliefs about errors, how these beliefs maintain motivation and how...
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Learning from Errors
This is the 3rd episode in the failure series of podcasts this term. We are staying with the theme of feedback to errors this week. Professor Janet Metcalfe discusses her paper on learning from errors and in particular how one teacher uses an interactive approach, encouraging students to work out...
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Using Smileys in Error Feedback
When students receive error feedback it usually causes a negative emotional response, this in turn can impact learning. If we could somehow elicit a positive emotional response to error feedback, research suggests that this will increase motivation, enhance the desire to continue on a learning…
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Introduction to failure
Failure - a word that is taboo in education and yet is part and parcel of the learning experience. As teachers, dealing with errors in the classroom can fundamentally change so much of the learning experience. The beliefs teachers and students hold about failure and errors changes behaviour and…
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About this show
Psychology in the Classroom: bridging the gap between educational science and daily teaching practice. Hosted by Lucinda Powell, the show provides expert insights in education by translating complex educational psychology into actionable, science for educators.Through high-level education expert interviews, listeners gain access to the latest findings in the science of learning, including evidence-based revision strategies and methods for creating an effective classroom environment. If you are looking for psychological education tools to improve student outcomes, this podcast delivers a mix of theory deep-dives and educational myth busting.Supported by the British Psychological Society's Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology as part of the BPS Teacher Toolkit.
Hosted by
Lucinda Powell