Alison Kington

Alison joined the School of Education at the University of Worcester in 2012 and became Professor in Psychology of Education in 2014. She is Lead for the Social Psychology of Education Research Group and Chair of the Arts, Humanities and Education Research Ethics Panel. Alison completed her PhD at the University of Bristol in 2001, which explored teacher-pupil relationships in Key Stage 2, focusing specifically on individual pupil differences and experiences, and teacher perceptions of relationship development. Since then, she has worked in a number of research roles including Senior Research Officer at the National Foundation for Educational Research and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, and has gained extensive experience of, and expertise in, designing and conducting mixed methods research in education and social psychology. Her research, which is cross-disciplinary in its theoretical and methodological approaches, focuses on the nature, quality and dynamics of educational relationships and identities, and Alison has a particular interest in the influence of teacher and pupil characteristics on social interactions within the classroom. She has led a range of research projects funded by Research Councils and Government agencies, developing a strong track record of securing external research funding from nationally and internationally recognised funding bodies, including the Economic and Social Research Council, OECD, Department for Education, European Commission, and Education Development Trust (formerly CfBT), generating research income of over £3m. Alison’s sustained profile of research and collaboration both nationally and internationally has resulted in a strong track record of publications. She is lead editor of the volume, Developing Social and Learning Relationships in Primary Schools (2020, Bloomsbury Research Monograph Series), lead author of Effective Classroom Practice (2014, McGraw-Hill), co-author of Teachers Matter (2007, OUP), and co-editor of Paradigms of Educational Practice (2012) and The Role of Theory and Research in Educational Practice (2008). She has also published papers, chapters and reports relating to her substantive and methodological interests, and has presented more than 60 papers at international/national conferences and research seminars, including keynote addresses and symposia. Alison is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), DfE/ONS Accredited Researcher and a UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor. She is also a qualified primary school teacher.