Working with schools

1. Working with schools Dr Jessie Ricketts @ricketts_lara

2. working with schools outreach research and impact

3. research and impact: what we do build networks of schools • schools database, collecting data • SERNS • annual practitioner event • am: dissemination • pm: discussion • research practice • translation: practice, curriculum, priorities • visits to schools (as well as inviting them onto campus) but campus visits not always possible from RHUL and school perspective maintain relationships dissemination of findings evidence of impact

4. research and impact: tips • ethics (e.g., BPS, BERA guideline) • sharing information with schools (BUT consent, freedom to withdraw) • incentives for them: book vouchers, certificates, careers/university talks, INSET, advice, access to research • need to be flexible – they are doing us a favour • complex environment • maintain reputation • training those interacting with schools

5. outreach: what we do • Schools Talk Evening: Research demos (by staff and PhD students) and mini taster lectures. Early October. • Exploring Psychology Taster Day: Keynote lectures, meeting current students, research demos (pupils choose from a selection of real studies run by staff). March or April. • Hackney University Extension Programme: 4 evening sessions, focused around degree streams and staff research interests. New in 2017, Spring Term. • Psychology Mentoring Project: University students act as mentors to A-level pupils to promote aspirations. Spring Term. • Royal Holloway Psychology Competition: Team competition on applying psychological knowledge to every day life, incl keynote lecture. New in 2017 (30th June).

6. outreach: tips • Talk to whoever is in charge of Outreach/School Liaison in your department! • They may be able to connect you with schools and opportunities • Might be able to incorporate research/impact into outreach activities • Can let you know about events you can invite schools you are working with to attend, but can’t create new events or run campus visits just for your schools • Make the most of any opportunity to connect with a school • Schools often request careers/university talks, but you can suggest also running research with their pupils. Usually a win-win! • Subject teachers are good gatekeepers for access to other year groups

7. outreach: tips • Consider how your research can support recruitment and schools • I have designed outreach programme to support department’s selling point of research-led teaching and create opportunities for staff to run research with school pupils • Important that staff provide educationally-rich research activities. E.g. explain the study, give a taster lecture on topic, provide schools with useful information

8. working with schools outreach research and impact joined up approach research in outreach: conducting, disseminating building relationships research-led teaching • 6th in the UK for Psychology and Neuroscience research (Research Excellence Framework 2014) • Consistently highly ranked for student satisfaction (National Student Survey)

9. contacts outreach research and impact Dr Alana James (Co-ordinator) Alana.James@rhul.ac.uk Dr Jessie Ricketts (Director of Impact) jessie.ricketts@rhul.ac.uk @ricketts_lara Dr Eilidh Cage Eilidh.Cage@rhul.ac.uk https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/psychology/schools/schools.aspx